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  • Senior Thesis Writing Guides

The senior thesis is typically the most challenging writing project undertaken by undergraduate students. The writing guides below aim to introduce students both to the specific methods and conventions of writing original research in their area of concentration and to effective writing process.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SENIOR THESIS WRITERS

, who offer one-on-one writing tutorials to students in selected concentrations

Author: Andrew J. Romig 

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Author: Department of Sociology, Harvard University

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Author: Department of Government, Harvard University

Author: Nicole Newendorp

Authors: Rebecca Wingfield, Sarah Carter, Elena Marx, and Phyllis Thompson

Author: Department of History, Harvard University

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  • Brief Guides to Writing in the Disciplines
  • Course-Specific Writing Guides
  • Disciplinary Writing Guides
  • Gen Ed Writing Guides

2022 BFA Thesis Show a Dazzling Display of Graduating Seniors’ Work

Photo of Brianna Howard (CFA’22) standing in front of her work at the BFA Thesis Art Exhibit at Stone Gallery May 5. Brianna is white woman with blonde hair; she smiles with her hands in her pockets, wears a green jacket and black plants. From left, they are named Reposition, Overlapped, Proximity, Talking with the Shadows, and Remnant. The prints are mostly gray and tan colors and are abstract in nature, featuring long curving lines.

Exhibition features graphic design, painting, printmaking, and sculpture

John o’rourke, pam debarros, cydney scott.

There’s something thrilling about the School of Visual Arts BFA Thesis Show 2022 . Featuring 133 works by the 39 graduating seniors majoring in painting, printmaking, sculpture, and graphic design, the show demonstrates the myriad ways students are experimenting with materials and developing their own unique aesthetics to tell visually compelling stories. The Thesis Show is on view at the CFA Faye G., Jo, and James Stone Gallery through May 20.

Ashley Zhou (CFA’23) says she is constantly seeking out new techniques and applications in her painting that she’s never seen done before. She uses found materials like yarn, drywall, and scrap wood and works with a range of surfaces to create paintings that investigate her social and cultural identity. For her thesis project, she uses silk yarn suspended from planks of wood and painted with mahogany watercolor of varying opacity to illustrate moments from her parents’ childhood. Other than their stories of their childhood in China, Zhou says, she doesn’t feel a strong connection to her culture. The gaps between the strings in her work are aimed to reflect the distance she feels from her heritage. 

Photo of Ashley Zhou (CFA’22), a young AAPI student who wears a black face mask, tan pants, and a flowing white shirt, standing to the right of her piece called Cherry Tree at the BFA Thesis Art Exhibit at Stone Gallery May 6. The piece is a tapestry and a design of a tree with what looks like a woman sitting in it is made barely visible by light red stands of thread.

Ashley Zhou (CFA’22) and her painting Cherry Tree at the BFA Thesis Art Exhibition at the Stone Gallery.

“The sheer and transparent nature of the image is meant to convey a sense of looking through—me looking and reflecting on who I am as a result of social structures and cultural past,” Zhou says. 

Graphic designer Kylie Carroll (CFA’22) started her thesis project hoping to educate the public about how consumer culture is damaging the environment. But the focus shifted, she says, “from a singular narrative of saving the world against environmental despair to a lighthearted and digestible way of exploring personal accountability and up-cycling.” Carroll began working with single use plastics she’d been saving in her apartment to explore ways to repurpose her trash. “I used these plastics to crochet, heat fuse, weave, and ultimately transform them into new and functional items”—including a basket, a reusable clutch, and a reusable tote, all on view in the show. Even her thesis book is made with repurposed paper from her design studio. 

Photo of Kylie Carroll (CFA’22), a light-skinned woman with long brown hair who wears a white sweater, and black pants, sitting on a gray bench with her Single Use Society pieces at the BFA Thesis Art Exhibit at Stone Gallery May 5. The pieces include a woven basken to her right, and a few pieces made with what look like recycled white plastic bags.

Carroll says she immersed herself in sustainability—a subject she’s long been interested in—last semester when she and classmate Davide Bianchi (CFA’22) challenged themselves to execute a zero waste process. “We made our own paper, vegetable dye from food scraps, and created a garment,” she says. That project allowed her a chance to create a tactile, graphic design product, and forced her to rethink her design process and make it more environmentally conscious.

“As designers we have the toolbox to be innovative, we are taught how to think outside the box and how to question everything…this project was my first experience with treating my resources as sacred and pushing the boundaries of what I can do with ‘trash,’” Carroll says

Another graphic design major—Jonathan Pinchera (CFA’23)—has been experimenting with the art form of embroidery through the creation of wearable embroidered pieces. For him, embroidery is a way of making that addresses hyperconsumerism, mass production, and gender norms.

The title of this year’s show— Connection Line s—is meant to reflect the adaptability, resilience, and connectivity shared by the graduating seniors, and it has both literal and figurative connotations.

Photo of Jonathan Pinchera (CFA’23) sitting cross-criss next to his piece Narrative Lace at the BFA Thesis Art Exhibit at Stone Gallery May 5. Pinchera has short curly hair and a mustache, and wears a brown t-shirt and dark brown pants. The lace artwork is stitched onto a mannequin's torso; yellow, blue and green bubble letters are seen inside the design.

Jonathan Pinchera (CFA’23) with his piece Narrative Lace .

“These artists, 2022 BFA graduates, demonstrate deep care for their work and community, which manifests in intrepid drawing, design, sculpture, and installation,” says show curator Leah Triplett Harrington, a Boston-based writer and curator of the nonprofit public art accelerator Now + There . “These artists are linked by a sense of interdependence in their work; collectively, through a range of interdisciplinary approaches, they consider shared experiences that shape their artistic vision.”

Each of the show’s artists, Tripplett Harrington says, are working with lines, both aesthetically and conceptually. “Be they blurring hierarchical lines between art and craft, or using compositional devices, many of these students are investigating the potential of the line in their work,” she says. “There are also lines of time, or connections through time via lineages of ritual, process, and art historical genealogies.” 

Brianna Howard (CFA’22), a major in both printmaking and painting, says her work ties into the show’s title directly and indirectly. “Directly, I use a lot of line and gesture in my works to create space,” Howard says. “My lines aren’t usually linear. Rather, I refer to them as actions, meaning actions of my body or space. Indirectly, a lot of my exploration this past year has been creating a wide range of work and then trying to find connections between those works.”

Triplett Harrington began working with the students at the start of the spring semester, she says, to “really develop the trust needed for a successful artist-curator relationship.” She met with each of the painting, sculpture, and printmaking students after introducing the “connection lines” theme. Each student shared work with her they thought responded to that theme and together they discussed how and where it could be included in the show. “It was very much a dialogue,” Triplett Harrington says. 

Photo of Leah Triplett Harrington, guest curator of this year’s BFA Thesis Art Exhibit,  advising painting major Anna Frants (CFA’22) during installation of Frants’ work. Both wear face masks and stand looking at a series of paintings on the ground in front of them; each canvas is about 8x11 inches and features abstract portraits.

This year, in keeping with tradition, a committee of senior graphic design students created the branding identity for the show, under the guidance of Mary Yang , a CFA assistant professor of art, graphic design. 

Playing off the Connection Lines title, after several brainstorming sessions, the students hit on the theme of elasticity. The team—Carroll, Ashlie Dawkins (CFA’22), Joyce Hu (CFA’22), and Ken Rudoph (CFA’22)—wanted to create a visual narrative that was representative of the collective experience of this year’s graduating students, who had to deal with years of pandemic-caused disruption.

“Both faculty and students were forced to prove how adaptable and resilient we really are,” Howard says. “Adaptability and resilience became a recurring theme throughout our brainstorming process…graphic designers, painters, printmakers, and sculptors alike, we have all been trained to work in a way that is flexible and explorative.” 

A graphic artist and veteran exhibition designer, Yang helps the students gain real-world experience in collaboratively designing the typography used in the digital postcards, catalog, exhibition graphics, and posters. The team created a color palette inspired by classic multicolored rubber bands, experimenting with different hues before settling on the final red, blue, green, and yellow shades used across the various platforms. Even the typeface the students selected—Grover—was chosen because its bold and rounded look helps convey elasticity.

A number of works by this year’s graphic design students speak directly to this idea of elasticity. 

Photo of Mary Yang, CFA assistant professor of graphic design, gesturing with her left hand, as she helps her students hang their work in preparation for this year’s BFA Thesis show. A student of color is seen in the foregroud looking towards Yang. Behind Yang, a series of colorful prints, portraits of a man, hang.

“The stretching process presents an opportunity to challenge oneself and others, in part by approaching difficult topics or conversations,” Yang says. Perpetual Foreigner, the thesis project by graphic design major Cindy Chan (CFA’22), is a response to recent attacks and hate crimes against Asian Americans that have often gone unreported by the media. “The project combines research, interviews, and individual anecdotes into a visual body of work that brings awareness to the struggles that Asian Americans face and to empower the Asian American community,” Yang says.

Another thesis project— Full —by Geo Ferrari (CFA’22)—uses their identity as a Brazilian and nonbinary individual to address issues around trauma, queerness, sex, and community. “Ferrari’s thesis project ultimately serves as a form of healing,” Yang says, “while illuminating subject matters that are often ignored or too complex for words.” 

Dana Clancy, CFA School of Visual Arts director and an associate professor of art, says that being able to be part of an exhibition of this kind, curated by an outside professional, is invaluable experience for the young artists as they prepare to embark on their careers. 

“Through the exhibition process, the students make more ambitious work and demonstrate focus and material and conceptual decisions appropriate to their work as young professionals. They gain confidence that is critical to continuity in their field after graduation,” Clancy says, “confidence in scaling up, refining, and presenting their work and ideas, confidence in speaking and writing about their work for a larger public in cogent, but nondidactic ways, and confidence about how to advocate and negotiate professionally with a group.” 

Clancy says the show is also an opportunity for the BU community and the community beyond to interact with the students’ work.

“I hope that both visitors and the seniors take away the overall sense of resilience that these young artists have displayed in highly inventive, personal, humorous, and ambitious ways…we hope that people will come in to simply enjoy and spend time with this exciting group show,”  she says. “We need viewers in the gallery to complete what the work is about—seeing the scale, material, interaction of surface and form. Reaction to the work outside the studio is important for our students to complete the thesis year.” 

The 2022 BFA Thesis Exhibition is on view at the Faye G., Jo, and James Stone Gallery, 855 Commonwealth Ave., through May 20. The show is free and open to the public. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.

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John O'Rourke

John O’Rourke began his career as a reporter at  The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour . He has worked as a producer at  World Monitor , a coproduction of the  Christian Science Monitor  and the Discovery Channel, and NBC News, where he was a producer for several shows, including  Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric ,  NBC Nightly News , and  The Today Show . John has won many awards, including four Emmys, a George Foster Peabody Award, and five Edward R. Murrow Awards. Profile

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Cydney Scott has been a professional photographer since graduating from the Ohio University VisCom program in 1998. She spent 10 years shooting for newspapers, first in upstate New York, then Palm Beach County, Fla., before moving back to her home city of Boston and joining BU Photography. Profile

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Search the site, search suggestions, preparing for a senior thesis.

Fall foliage in Harvard Yard.

Every year, a little over half of Harvard’s senior class chooses to pursue a senior thesis. While the senior thesis looks a little different from field to field, one thing remains the same: completion of a senior thesis is a serious and challenging endeavor that requires the student to make a genuine intellectual contribution to their field of interest.

The senior thesis is a significant task for students to undertake, but there is a variety of support resources available here at Harvard to ensure that seniors can make the best of their senior thesis experience.

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Wandering the library stacks at Widener.

I do most of my research in Widener Library. Hannah Martinez

As a rising senior in the History department, I am planning on pursuing a senior thesis on the history and use of the SAT in college admissions, and I am using the following support systems and resources to research and write my thesis:

  • Staff at the History department. Every student within the department is assigned an academic advisor, who is a graduate student studying History at Harvard and knows the support available within the department. My academic advisor has helped me throughout the thesis process by connecting me with potential faculty members to advise my thesis and pick classes with a lighter course load so I can focus on completing my thesis. The Director of Undergraduate Studies in History (the History DUS) has also been pivotal in making sure that I attended a lot of information sessions about what the thesis looks like and how much of a commitment it is.
  • History faculty at Harvard! All of my professors in History have been incredibly helpful in teaching me how to write like a historian, how to use primary sources in my essays, and how to undertake a serious research project over the course of a semester. Of course, while the thesis will require me to go far beyond what I’ve ever done before, I feel prepared to take on such a task because of the unwavering support from the History faculty. My mentor, Emma Rothschild, is one of the members of the faculty who has been invaluable in encouraging me to go as far as I am able.
  • And last but certainly not least: funding. Funding, whether in term-time of the summer before senior year, is crucial towards making the senior thesis possible. Harvard’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships is dedicated to connecting Harvard students to funding sources across the university so they can pursue their research and get paid for it. This summer, I received a grant from the university of almost $2,000 so I am able to travel to libraries, buy books, and potentially take time off of work and do my research. Without such a grant, it would be incredibly difficult for me to do enough research so I can write a thesis this upcoming fall.

As you can see, there are multiple avenues for support and resources here at Harvard so your senior thesis is as easy as possible. While the senior thesis is still a challenging project that will take up a lot of time, Harvard’s resources make it possible for senior students to do their very best in all of their theses. I’m excited to start writing this fall!

Hannah Class of '23 Alumni

Hello! My name is Hannah, and I am a rising senior at Harvard concentrating in History from southeast Los Angeles County.

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Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies  

2021 Senior Thesis Show: What is Created Through Struggle

Date: , location: .

AFVS Thesis Show - What is Created Through Struggle

VISIT THE 2021 SENIOR THESIS EXHIBITION HERE Please join us in congratulating the graduating seniors in Harvard's Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies on the presentation of their 2021 Senior Thesis Exhibition: What is Created Through Struggle.

For many Art, Film, and Visual Studies students, the senior thesis is the capstone experience in the department. Students conceive their theses in conjunction with the department and work closely with faculty members as principal advisers. Throughout the yearlong process, students develop and refine their ideas into a thesis work, concluding with its presentation in this annual exhibition. 

The Art, Film, and Visual Studies 2021 Senior Thesis Exhibition features works by  Ashley Akaeze, Nicole Araya, Georgia Bowder-Newton, Natalie Gale, Caitlin Jones, Marie Alejandra Konopacki, Brett McLoughlin & Alex Medlin, Sally O’ Keeffe, Dani Pérez, Vivian Tian, and Christina Yee .

The Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies  is home to a range of studio and theoretical studies in the arts at Harvard University. It offers courses in painting, drawing, sculpture, film, video, and animation, as well as photography, film history, the built environment, and contemporary art. The academic experience transpires in the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, where thinking and making intersect to enable students from a variety of disciplinary studies to be aware of their visual environment. The exhibition is available online alongside   Open Studios , a showcase of student work produced in spring courses. Open Studios will take place virtually beginning Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

What Is a Senior Thesis?

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  • Writing Research Papers
  • Writing Essays
  • English Grammar
  • M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
  • B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A senior thesis is a large, independent research project that students take on during their senior year of high school or college to fulfill their graduation requirement. It is the culminating work of their studies at a particular institution, and it represents their ability to conduct research and write effectively. For some students, a senior thesis is a requirement for graduating with honors.

Students typically work closely with an advisor and choose a question or topic to explore before carrying out an extensive research plan.

Style Manuals and the Paper's Organization

The structure of your research paper will depend, in part, on the style manual that is required by your instructor. Different disciplines, such as history, science, or education, have different rules to abide by when it comes to research paper construction, organization, and modes of citation. The styles for different types of assignment include:

Modern Language Association (MLA): The disciplines that tend to prefer the MLA style guide include literature, arts, and the humanities, such as linguistics, religion, and philosophy. To follow this style, you will use parenthetical citations to indicate your sources and a works cited page to show the list of books and articles you consulted.

American Psychological Association (APA): The APA style manual tends to be used in psychology, education, and some of the social sciences. This type of report may require the following:

  • Introduction

Chicago style: "The Chicago Manual of Style" is used in most college-level history courses as well as professional publications that contain scholarly articles. Chicago style may call for endnotes or footnotes corresponding to a bibliography page at the back or the author-date style of in-text citation, which uses parenthetical citations and a references page at the end.

Turabian style: Turabian is a student version of Chicago style. It requires some of the same formatting techniques as Chicago, but it includes special rules for writing college-level papers, such as book reports. A Turabian research paper may call for endnotes or footnotes and a bibliography.

Science style: Science instructors may require students to use a format that is similar to the structure used in publishing papers in scientific journals. The elements you would include in this sort of paper include:

  • List of materials and methods used
  • Results of your methods and experiments
  • Acknowledgments

American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA style book might be required for students in medical or premedical degree programs in college. Parts of an AMA research paper might include:

  • Proper headings and lists
  • Tables and figures
  • In-text citations
  • Reference list

Choose Your Topic Carefully

Starting off with a bad, difficult, or narrow topic likely won't lead to a positive result. Don't choose a question or statement that's so broad that it's overwhelming and could comprise a lifetime of research or a topic that's so narrow you'll struggle to compose 10 pages. Consider a topic that has a lot of recent research so you won't struggle to put your hands on current or adequate sources.

Select a topic that interests you. Putting in long hours on a subject that bores you will be arduous—and ripe for procrastination. If a professor recommends an area of interest, make sure it excites you.

Also, consider expanding a paper you've already written; you'll hit the ground running because you've already done some research and know the topic. Last, consult with your advisor before finalizing your topic. You don't want to put in a lot of hours on a subject that is rejected by your instructor.

Organize Your Time

Plan to spend half of your time researching and the other half writing. Often, students spend too much time researching and then find themselves in a crunch, madly writing in the final hours. Give yourself goals to reach along certain "signposts," such as the number of hours you want to have invested each week or by a certain date or how much you want to have completed in those same timeframes.

Organize Your Research

Compose your works cited or bibliography entries as you work on your paper. This is especially important if your style manual requires you to use access dates for any online sources that you review or requires page numbers be included in the citations. You don't want to end up at the very end of the project and not know what day you looked at a particular website or have to search through a hard-copy book looking for a quote that you included in the paper. Save PDFs of online sites, too, as you wouldn't want to need to look back at something and not be able to get online or find that the article has been removed since you read it.

Choose an Advisor You Trust

This may be your first opportunity to work with direct supervision. Choose an advisor who's familiar with the field, and ideally select someone you like and whose classes you've already taken. That way you'll have a rapport from the start. 

Consult Your Instructor

Remember that your instructor is the final authority on the details and requirements of your paper. Read through all instructions, and have a conversation with your instructor at the start of the project to determine his or her preferences and requirements. Have a cheat sheet or checklist of this information; don't expect yourself to remember all year every question you asked or instruction you were given. 

  • What Is a Bibliography?
  • Turabian Style Guide With Examples
  • What Is a Citation?
  • Formatting Papers in Chicago Style
  • What Is a Style Guide and Which One Do You Need?
  • Bibliography: Definition and Examples
  • Definition of Appendix in a Book or Written Work
  • Tips for Typing an Academic Paper on a Computer
  • What Are Endnotes, Why Are They Needed, and How Are They Used?
  • How to Organize Research Notes
  • MLA Style Parenthetical Citations
  • Formatting APA Headings and Subheadings
  • Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition
  • Bibliography, Reference List or Works Cited?
  • What's the Preferred Way to Write the Abbreviation for United States?
  • Margin (Composition Format) Definition

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101+ Fascinating Senior Thesis Topics

As you approach the final leg of your academic journey, the senior thesis becomes a significant milestone that can set the stage for your future endeavors. Choosing the right topic is crucial, as it should reflect your passion, interests, and intellectual curiosity. To help you embark on this exciting academic adventure, we’ve compiled a list of 101+ senior thesis topics across various fields that are not only captivating but also provide ample room for exploration and critical thinking.

101+ Senior Thesis Topics

Humanities and social sciences.

  • The Impact of Literature on Social Change
  • Analyzing the Role of Religion in Contemporary Politics
  • Gender and Identity in Modern Cinema
  • Environmental Ethics: Balancing Nature and Progress
  • The Influence of Social Media on Human Behavior
  • Cultural Appropriation in the Fashion Industry
  • The History and Evolution of Hip-Hop Music
  • The Psychology of Online Dating
  • Exploring the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
  • The Philosophy of Happiness: Can It Be Measured?

Science and Technology

  • Quantum Computing: A Revolution in Information Processing
  • Gene Editing and Its Ethical Implications
  • Artificial Intelligence in Predictive Medicine
  • Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
  • Renewable Energy Sources: Future Possibilities
  • Robotics and Automation in Industry 4.0
  • Cybersecurity: Protecting Digital Frontiers
  • The Mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy
  • The Impact of 3D Printing on Manufacturing
  • The Science Behind Space Travel: Preparing for Mars

Business and Economics

  • The Psychology of Consumer Behavior
  • Cryptocurrency and Its Role in the Global Economy
  • Sustainable Business Practices: Balancing Profit and Planet
  • Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age
  • Impact of Globalization on Local Economies
  • Corporate Social Responsibility: Beyond Profits
  • The Economics of Healthcare: Universal vs. Private Systems
  • Financial Markets and Behavioral Biases
  • E-commerce Trends and Future Projections
  • Supply Chain Resilience in the Post-Pandemic Era

Politics and International Relations

  • Geopolitical Conflicts in the 21st Century
  • United Nations: Effectiveness and Reform
  • Climate Diplomacy: International Agreements and Disparities
  • The Role of Soft Power in Global Politics
  • Populism and Its Impact on Democracy
  • Humanitarian Interventions: Ethics and Outcomes
  • Nationalism vs. Globalism: A Contemporary Debate
  • Cyber Warfare: Threats and Responses
  • The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Historical Analysis
  • The Future of European Integration
 

Arts and Creativity

  • Evolution of Modern Art Movements
  • Music as a Form of Cultural Expression
  • Costume Design in Theater and Film
  • The Impact of Digital Tools on Contemporary Art
  • Creative Writing: Exploring Fiction Genres
  • The Intersection of Science and Art
  • Architecture and Sustainability
  • Visual Storytelling in Graphic Novels
  • Cultural Significance of Folklore and Mythology
  • The Art of Culinary Innovation

Health and Medicine

  • Mental Health Stigma: Breaking the Silence
  • Precision Medicine: Tailoring Treatments for Individuals
  • Healthcare Disparities and Access
  • Emerging Infectious Diseases: Preparedness and Response
  • Aging and Longevity: Medical and Social Perspectives
  • Nutrition and Its Impact on Chronic Diseases
  • Vaccine Hesitancy: Causes and Solutions
  • Telemedicine: The Future of Healthcare Delivery
  • Stem Cell Therapy: Promise and Controversy
  • Global Health Challenges: Lessons from the Pandemic

Education and Psychology

  • The Impact of Early Childhood Education on Cognitive Development
  • Inclusive Education: Bridging the Gap for Special Needs Students
  • The Psychology of Learning Styles
  • Motivation and Achievement in Adolescents
  • Digital Learning Environments: Benefits and Drawbacks
  • Teacher Burnout and Strategies for Prevention
  • Bullying in Schools: Understanding and Prevention
  • Educational Policy and Its Effects on Student Outcomes
  • Multilingual Education: Advantages and Challenges
  • Homeschooling: Trends and Impacts

History and Archaeology

  • Ancient Civilizations: Uncovering Lost Worlds
  • World War II: Analyzing the Global Impact
  • The History of Slavery and Its Legacy
  • Women’s Suffrage Movement: A Century of Progress
  • Decolonization: Shaping Modern Nations
  • Indigenous Cultures: Preservation and Revival
  • Medieval Europe: Myth and Reality
  • Cold War Conflicts: Ideological Struggles
  • Archaeological Discoveries in the 21st Century
  • The Evolution of Human Society: From Hunter-Gatherers to Urbanization

Environmental Science and Sustainability

  • Biodiversity Conservation in Urban Environments
  • Ocean Acidification: Threats to Marine Life
  • Sustainable Agriculture: Feeding a Growing Population
  • Plastic Pollution: Finding Alternatives
  • Deforestation and Its Consequences
  • Green Building Technologies: A Sustainable Future
  • Water Scarcity: A Global Challenge
  • Indigenous Land Rights and Environmental Protection
  • Renewable Energy Policy and Implementation
  • The Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife Migration

Law and Justice

  • Criminal Justice Reform: Balancing Punishment and Rehabilitation
  • Cybersecurity Laws and Digital Privacy Rights
  • Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age
  • Racial Profiling: Addressing Bias in Policing
  • Immigration Policies and Human Rights
  • Environmental Law : Protecting Nature’s Rights
  • The Death Penalty: A Contemporary Debate
  • Restorative Justice: Healing Communities
  • International Human Rights Tribunals: Effectiveness and Challenges
  • Legal Ethics in the Age of Technology

Media and Communication

  • Media Bias and Its Impact on Public Opinion
  • Investigative Journalism in the Digital Age
  • The Influence of Reality Television on Society
  • The Evolution of Social Media Platforms
  • Propaganda in the Information Age: Recognizing and Countering Misinformation

Selecting a senior thesis topic is a pivotal decision that can shape your academic journey and set the stage for your future career. These 105 senior thesis topics span a wide range of disciplines and offer exciting opportunities for research, exploration, and critical thinking. Whether you’re passionate about the humanities, sciences, business, or any other field, there’s a topic here to pique your interest and inspire your academic pursuits. Remember that the key to a successful senior thesis is not only the topic but also your dedication, curiosity, and willingness to explore new horizons. Good luck on your academic adventure!

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senior thesis show

Impressions

Senior thesis, about 2021 impressions, senior thesis exhibition, this year's senior show encompasses the design work of 38 well-equipped, eager graphic, industrial, and interior designers who are excited to show off their concepts and creations with you. design has the ability to enable, impact, and reflect change in the world. our thesis projects mirror just that: focusing in on an issue of some sort, big or small, and presenting a solution in an organized, logical, and effective way., this year's theme impressions is about what we have learned thus far in our educational careers, the connections we have made, and what lies ahead. although we are unable to make our first impressions as designers and professionals to you in person, we hope that we can still make a positive and lasting one through this digital format. as we take our next steps, whether it be entering the workforce or continuing our education, it is time for us to figure out what impressions we want to make in the world. , — sasd senior class 2021, the senior thesis project’s goal, the thesis project begins for each senior at the onset of the 2021 spring semester, with its main emphasis being for our students to choose a thesis project with significant depth and breadth within the first two weeks of this semester. our project’s focus is for student work to embody both thoughtful design and skillful execution and thereby highlights a full product development process. the process also mandates that they concurrently consider marketing and production sensibilities as they have evolved their designs., their individually executed design process should become evident as you review these projects. it is expected that each student exhibit a level of design proficiency, which is commensurate to an entry-level professional design position. our class discussions have focused on defining human- centered innovation, coupled with a focus to have students follow a systematic design methodology. , giving thanks, the longest year, it feels like this was the longest year of our lives. the covid 19 pandemic has made everything more difficult and completing your education is a bigger challenge than it was before., you all know now that extraordinary things happen that change our lives completely. you lived through it this year somehow students and faculty recover and adapt, making the extraordinary, the new workable normal. it is remarkable how well you all have done this year and prepared yourselves for a life in professional design. maybe we can all look back at this year sometime in the future and remember how much we learned and grew in this “longest year.”, the 2021 senior show student committee has done an amazing job their faculty members deserve credit for helping to evolve their approaches to online shows, and always encouraging great design work. thank you all for your extraordinary efforts to design and organize the 2021 senior show, professor white’s class, business practices and ethics, has been working on the 2021 senior show all semester. professor munch, chair of graphic design helped make a great online show a reality., the senior thesis professors matto, santarsiero and munch have done an impressive job bringing their senior classes to a brilliant conclusion for another year., finally, i would like to thank all of sasd’s faculty and staff, and all design students for their faith in themselves and our collective ability to carry on our high level of creative work and innovation., — professor yelle, director sasd, chair industrial design, behind the show, thank you to the business practices and ethics class, led by professor white, for their semester-long work to create the senior show. having taken place in the school's gallery in the past, these students welcomed the challenge of an online format and were solely responsible for the concept, implementation, and execution of the website. .

senior thesis show

Dear SASD students:

Congratulations, 2021 sasd graduates. you worked through an unusual final three semesters of college.  it asked much of your resilience and grit. simply put,  it wasn’t easy. your career challenges will ask as much or more of that grit you have demonstrated so well at sasd., the most valuable attributes for success are a curious, inquisitive mind and an unparalleled work ethic. keep an eye on the evolving needs of the world and strive to offer solutions. out think, out create, out work and you will thrive, however you define success for yourselves. , this 2021 senior show marks my tenth year at sasd and, after 38 years, the end of my professorial career. i am retiring to southern austria where its history and unfamiliar culture will make every day an adventure.  i have enjoyed my years at sasd. working with eager students is very fulfilling. hearing from my former students is rewarding. i encourage you to keep in touch at  [email protected] ., — professor white.

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Senior Thesis Show

model with curly red hair walks down a runway in a pink and pillowy gown surrounded by audience members

Every spring, Apparel Design seniors debut a unified body of work in the department’s senior thesis show.   This milestone event has taken several forms—from runway shows to print lookbooks and short films. The show lets students work across mediums to share the latest fashion emerging from RISD studios.

Collection 2024

From flowing capes to intricately stitched leather to jeweled headpieces, this year’s RISD Apparel Design runway show had it all. Presented on May 24 in Providence’s WaterFire Arts Center , Collection 2024 picked up on a tradition begun in the 1970s by late, then-Department Head Lorraine Howes.

models and designers walk the runway together at the end of the show

The well-crafted looks were unveiled at Providence’s WaterFire Arts Center.

2023 Senior Show Catalogue

For the spring 23 thesis exhibition, Apparel Design seniors presented their final bodies of work in  Epilogue [23] , a live runway show at the Fleet Library on campus. For more about Apparel Design’s class of 2023 and their work—including process photos and artist statements—flip through the Epilogue [23]  exhibition catalogue. You can also read about last year’s show, as well as previous thesis collections, below.

Read about past thesis shows

A model walks down the runway in drag and a red with in a garment made by Disco Amber

Students presented their senior thesis work in the Fleet Library at RISD in Epilogue [23] .

Two models standing in a field

Apparel Design seniors present their thesis collections via (Un)finished , an intensely personal cinematic compilation.

abstract image of patchwork garment

With a live runway show out of the question, the Class of 2021 uses video to present their intimate and thoughtful work.

Senior Theses

  • Categories: Strategies for Learning

Student handing over thesis document.

Doing a senior thesis is an exciting enterprise. It’s often the first time students are engaging in truly original research and trying to develop a significant contribution to a field of inquiry. But as joyful as an independent research process can be, you don’t have to go it alone. It’s important to have support as you navigate such a large endeavor, and the ARC is here to offer one of those layers of support. 

Whether or not to write a senior thesis is just the first in a long line of questions thesis writers need to consider. In addition to questions about the topic and scope of your thesis, there are questions about timing, schedule, and support. For example, if you are collecting data, when should data collection start and when should it be completed? What kind of schedule will you write on? How will you work with your adviser? Do you want to meet with your adviser about your progress once a month? Once a week? What other resources can you turn to for information, feedback, and support? 

Even though there is a lot to think about and a lot to do, doing a thesis really can be an enjoyable experience! Keep reminding yourself why you chose this topic and why you care about it. 

Tips for Tackling Big Projects:  

  • When you’re approaching a big project, it can seem overwhelming to look at the whole thing at once, so it’s essential to identify the smaller steps that will move you towards the completed project. 
  • Your advisor is best suited to help you break down the thesis process with field-specific advice. 
  • If you need to refine the breakdown further so it makes sense for you, schedule an appointment with an Academic Coach . An academic coach can help you think through the steps in a way that works for you. 
  • Pre-determine the time, place, and duration. 
  • Keep it short (15 to 60 minutes). 
  • Have a clear and reasonable goal for each writing session. 
  • Make it a regular event (every day, every other day, MWF). 
  • time is not wasted deciding to write if it’s already in your calendar; 
  • keeping sessions short reduces the competition from other tasks that are not getting done; 
  • having an achievable goal for each session provides a sense of accomplishment (a reward for your work); 
  • writing regularly can turn into a productive habit. 
  • In addition to having a clear goal for each writing session, it’s important to have clear goals for each week and to find someone to communicate these goals to, such as your adviser, a “thesis buddy,” your roommate, etc. Communicating your goals and progress to someone else creates a useful sense of accountability. 
  • If your adviser is not the person you are communicating your progress to on a weekly basis, then request to set up a structure with your adviser that requires you to check in at less frequent but regular intervals. 
  • Commit to attending Accountability Hours at the ARC on the same day every week. Making that commitment will add both social support and structure to your week. Use the ARC Scheduler to register for Accountability Hours. 
  • Set up an accountability group in your department or with thesis writers from different departments. 
  • It’s important to have a means for getting consistent feedback on your work and to get that feedback early. Work on large projects often lacks the feeling of completeness, so don’t wait for a whole section (and certainly not the whole thesis) to feel “done” before you get feedback on it! 
  • Your thesis adviser is typically the person best positioned to give you feedback on your research and writing, so communicate with your adviser about how and how often you would like to get feedback. 
  • If your adviser isn’t able to give you feedback with the frequency you’d like, then fill in the gaps by creating a thesis writing group or exploring if there is already a writing group in your department or lab. 
  • The Harvard College Writing Center is a great resource for thesis feedback. Writing Center Senior Thesis Tutors can provide feedback on the structure, argument, and clarity of your writing and help with mapping out your writing plan. Visit the Writing Center website to schedule an appointment with a thesis tutor . 
  • Working on a big project can be anxiety provoking because it’s hard to keep all the pieces in your head and you might feel like you are losing track of your argument. 
  • To reduce this source of anxiety, try keeping a separate document where you jot down ideas on how your research questions or central argument might be clarifying or changing as you research and write. Doing this will enable you to stay focused on the section you are working on and to stop worrying about forgetting the new ideas that are emerging. 
  • You might feel anxious when you realize that you need to update your argument in response to the evidence you have gathered or the new thinking your writing has unleashed. Know that that is OK. Research and writing are iterative processes – new ideas and new ways of thinking are what makes progress possible. 
  • It’s also anxiety provoking to feel like you can’t “see” from the beginning to the end of your project in the way that you are used to with smaller projects. 
  • Breaking down big projects into manageable chunks and mapping out a schedule for working through each chunk is one way to reduce this source of anxiety. It’s reassuring to know you are working towards the end even if you cannot quite see how it will turn out. 
  • It may be that your thesis or dissertation never truly feels “done” to you, but that’s okay. Academic inquiry is an ongoing endeavor. 
  • Thesis work is not a time for social comparison; each project is different and, as a result, each thesis writer is going to work differently. 
  • Just because your roommate wrote 10 pages in a day doesn’t mean that’s the right pace or strategy for you. 
  • If you are having trouble figuring out what works for you, use the ARC Scheduler to make an appointment with an Academic Coach , who can help you come up with daily, weekly, and semester-long plans. 
  • If you’re having trouble finding a source, email your question or set up a research consult via Ask a Librarian . 
  • If you’re looking for additional feedback or help with any aspect of writing, contact the Harvard College Writing Center . The Writing Center has Senior Thesis Tutors who will read drafts of your thesis (more typically, parts of your thesis) in advance and meet with you individually to talk about structure, argument, clear writing, and mapping out your writing plan. 
  • If you need help with breaking down your project or setting up a schedule for the week, the semester, or until the deadline, use the ARC Scheduler to make an appointment with an Academic Coach . 
  • If you would like an accountability structure for social support and to keep yourself on track, come to Accountability Hours at the ARC. 

2022 Senior Thesis Art Show is “A Piece of Cake”

By Lara Hale

entrance to sheehan gallery exhibit

In their senior year, Whitman College’s studio art majors conclude their studies with a final thesis exhibition in the Sheehan Gallery. The year’s show, “A Piece of Cake,” will run through May 22, 2022. The sweet theme was decided by the 11 graduating students. In a group statement, the seniors explained the sentiments behind it: 

“Amongst ourselves, we’ve spent plenty of time acknowledging the things about creative work that are difficult or painful. The things that take too long, or feel too scary. We deserve, also, to savor the sweetness of making art. We’ve been allowed to create things from scratch, enjoying the tactile, time-shifting magic of working with our hands and minds. Perhaps even better, we’ve been allowed the joy of watching our own projects and those of our peers rise and grow, transforming from raw materials into complex and beautiful worlds of their own. That joy is baked into the show, and it is all the more worth appreciating in context of the uncertainty, distance, and loss that has marked these last few years.”

Below is a bite-sized look at “A Piece of Cake.” Want more? Take a virtual tour of the exhibit .

“And with all the betting, you’d forget how small a man you are” by Fi Black

senior thesis show

From the artist’s statement:

“In arranging two larger-than-life beetles on a brick wall, my role as arbiter of the piece escalates a beetle fight into an immersive conflict that confronts the personal and social. Depending on the viewer’s perception of the wall’s plane, neither Dorcus Titanus (the black beetle) and the Dynastes Hercules (the green beetle) could be read as taking a clearly defined victory stance. By putting the two fighting beetles on a vertical plane, the dynamics are blurred, breaking from the horizontal plane of the fighting log.”

"Living Library," Elie Flanagan

senior thesis show

“‘Living Library’ is a home for artists’ books, some presented as complete works and some waiting to be filled by those who encounter them. Artists’ books allow us to see the book as a conceptual and sculptural form, not necessarily being defined by a central spine and rectangular pages. Instead, a book can be a vessel for ideas: any means of putting thought into the world and giving to others. This ‘Living Library’ is alive because it actively gathers fragments of life and shares them over time. Through visitors’ participation, the space sustains life during the gallery show and beyond. At the end of the show, the no-longer-blank books will be ‘checked out’ and travel into the world, where they will accumulate experiences and signs of life before being mailed back into the final collection.”

“Aphros,” Morgan Greaton

senior thesis show

“In this body of work, I am exploring the deep, porous and interconnected nature of all living things through the creation of a portal. This portal transports people into a conscious-altering environment where the soil, the trees, the rivers, the ocean, and the sky are alive. They speak a language of their own, a language that resides deep in the memory of every being ... I want people to feel like they are not taking in the landscape, but rather the landscape is alive and taking them in.”

“Más Doblado que una Carta de Amor: A LatinX Oral History,” Zoëmiel Henderson-Benevides

“Although each portrait is as different as the subjects they represent, they are linked in their abstraction of shared identities. I work with dreamscapes and imagined backgrounds in order to reference the complexities of the interview structure and the faulty memory that goes hand-in-hand with being human. The people with whom I work with are linked through their depth of feeling. In a world where LatinX people are stereotyped and otherized, this work urges the viewer to confront those prejudices by feeling their own humanness and the humanness of the people I represent through this work. It is deeply a love-letter to the people I have painted and also to the LatinX community as a whole.”

“Cloud Gazing,” Audrey Horner

“This installation consists of three human-sized towers of ceramic boulders of varying sizes, colors, and textures. Through the rhythm and repetition of these shapes and how they are stacked, I aim to refute the preciousness of the singular, and emphasize the reality that the beauty and meaning of a cloud is not diminished by its being amongst others. The balance of the towers emphasizes the ever-oscillating boundary between self and collective, while their vaguely figurative silhouettes allow for self-recognition within the embrace of that which is communal.”

“Koʻu Hoʻoilina ʻOhana,” Nainoa Kahale

senior thesis show

“‘Koʻu Hoʻoilina ʻOhana’ (My Family Legacy) is an installation artwork that presents questions on cultural identity and legacy. Within the installation are CMYK print portraits of three family members who inspire me to develop a strong legacy of my own. Their portraits hang on a tree of Koa wood, a common material that has been used to create canoes, homes, and surfboards in Hawaii for generations. ... How will you be remembered? My answer begins with my home island Moloka’i and my ancestry, but your answer might be completely different. Through this installation I invite you to witness the legacy of my family and reflect upon the legacy you are building in your own life. Imagine your legacy.”

“in between,” Audrey Mace

senior thesis show

“In this installation, I experiment with self-portraiture through a short film. I am interested in the affects produced by distortions of myself and how manipulations of time and space subvert our understanding of the every day. Using my face and body as resources at my disposal, my presence on screen is a stand-in for our place in reality. Rather than presenting reality as it is, this work represents liminal spaces that we endure. The realm of digital fantasy does not clarify the world but instead multiplies it. The self is ongoing, across time and space, familiar and not, singular and multiplied and fractured.”

“Moment of,” Hannah Marker

senior thesis show

“In this work, I try to create a moment where you may be able to think about and find your own balance–whatever that means for you. I’ve sewn a quilt for you to duck under, and in it are examples of the important (and pocket-sized) objects and experiences which help me and close members of my personal community continue existing. I have included not only what I pursue, but the unique strategies that different people in my life seek and enact during distress. For each of us, do we pursue the absence of pain? Recollections of childhood? Safety? Control? Comfort? Do we create our mechanisms for wellbeing or chance upon them? It seems to vary. Here, I aim to physically shelter, inviting you to sit, feel fabrics beneath you and look at the fabrics above, listen to the murmur, and still yourself for a moment to breathe, contemplate, and be. How will you choose to exist in this moment?”

“Being Eve: Ephemeral Odes to Black Women,” Hannah Paul

senior thesis show

“This installation seeks to create a portal into a space in which Black women are seen through a lens that does not focus on suffering. It is a reflective space, first for Black women and then for other viewers to think about and appreciate. This installation catches the viewer’s eyes with color and then forces them to see the beauty of Black women through my perspective. Black women are not owed the grace of being able to exist softly and immensely, which is why this space focuses on fragility, peace and color. This space calls to a new version of the Garden of Eden, in which the Black woman is Eve.”

“Legend of the Angel,” Ash Wells

“The world of Fihlios is a magical one, filled with elves, merfolk, dryads, dragons, and yes—humans too. ... Each character is a different creature inspired by ancient and contemporary stories from mythology, adapted to fit within this story which I have been developing for more than a decade. These characters are deeply important to me and my own development. Some of them have been with me and grown with me since I was 12 years old. ... Central to my work are themes of queer love, gender identity, mental illness, neurodivergence, and human relationships. I have personally experienced and struggled with each of these concepts. It is important to me that my artwork portrays and explores each of these complex ideas in a way that people can relate with, and I hope that my art makes other people like me feel welcomed and understood.”

“Dragtastica,” Lukas Žmuidzinas

“Drag is one of the few art forms that is specifically for and by the LGBTQ+ community, and as such is rarely legitimized the contemporary art world. By framing drag as artwork within the academic context of my thesis, I am claiming that drag is a legitimate art form in its own right. Drag is a crucial artistic medium in contemporary art and all drag artists should be seen as contemporary artists.”

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senior thesis show

Photo Gallery: 2023 Senior Thesis Show

On friday, april 28, seniors from all 13 of ringling college of art and design’s majors exhibited their thesis work for the world to see. .

Jesse Clark ’23, Photography and Imaging, posing with his large-scale photographic work depicting a procession magically enshrouded in clay-pink smoke, installed at the Selby Foundation Gallery.

Jesse Clark ’23, Photography and Imaging, posing with his large-scale photographic work depicting a procession magically enshrouded in clay-pink smoke, installed at the Selby Foundation Gallery.

Gallery visitors at the Selby Foundation Gallery opening reception for the Entertainment Design and Photography and Imaging Senior Thesis show.

Gallery visitors at the Selby Foundation Gallery opening reception for the Entertainment Design and Photography and Imaging Senior Thesis show.

Sophie Ruiz ’23, Entertainment Design, and her muilt-media project, Stardust Arcade and Diner, proposing a very glam-centric escape room, at Selby Foundation Gallery.

Sophie Ruiz ’23, Entertainment Design, and her multi-media project, Stardust Arcade and Diner , proposing a very glam-centric escape room, at Selby Foundation Gallery.

Installation view of the Senior Thesis show, featuring the work of Illustration students at the Richard and Barbara Basch Gallery and Willis Smith Construction Inc. Gallery.

Installation view of the Senior Thesis show, featuring the work of Illustration students at the Richard and Barbara Basch Gallery and Willis Smith Construction Inc. Gallery.

Visitors engaged in the works at the 2023 Illustration Senior Thesis show.

Visitors engaged in the works at the 2023 Illustration Senior Thesis show.

Alyssa Osceola ’23, Illustration, posing with her book, ACHÉEB ALE TACHOOPOKNAACHOM, on the intertwined histories of Sarasota, Ringling College and Ringling Museum, the Seminole people, the Seminole Wars, and the author, a descendant of Seminole tribe members imprisoned after the wars.

Alyssa Osceola ’23, Illustration, posing with her book, ACHÉEBALE TACHOOPOKNAACHOM , on the intertwined histories of Sarasota, Ringling College and Ringling Museum, the Seminole people, the Seminole Wars, and the author, a descendant of Seminole tribe members imprisoned after the wars.

Installation view of the Fine Art Senior Thesis Exhibition at the Crossley Gallery.

Installation view of the Fine Art Senior Thesis Exhibition at the Crossley Gallery.

Fine Arts seniors exhibited work across several mediums at their thesis show.

Fine Arts seniors exhibited work across several mediums at their thesis show.

Graphic Design and Business of Art and Design senior student work in the Patricia Thompson Alumni Gallery in Keating Center, including the work of Joel Reyes ’23, Graphic Design, Katey Stare ’23, Graphic Design, and Linda Liao ’23, Business of Art and Design, as seen here, from left to right.

Graphic Design and Business of Art and Design senior student work in the Patricia Thompson Alumni Gallery in Keating Center, including the work of Joel Reyes ’23, Graphic Design, Katey Stare ’23, Graphic Design, and Linda Liao ’23, Business of Art and Design, as seen here, from left to right.

Business of Art and Design and Graphic Design students displayed informative works that guided viewers to understand different cultural landscapes and phenomena, like the exhibition space and start-ups.

Business of Art and Design and Graphic Design students displayed informative works that guided viewers to understand different cultural landscapes and phenomena, like the exhibition space and start-ups.

Nickela Winfield ’23, Graphic Design, included the results of a research project investigating the lack of Black designers working in the field for her senior thesis project.

Nickela Winfield ’23, Graphic Design, included the results of a research project investigating the lack of Black designers working in the field for her senior thesis project.

Gabriela Williams ’23, Business of Art and Design, also presented research for the thesis show, which included graphs, maps, and a lit sculpture of a map comparing the walkability of three cities.

Gabriela Williams ’23, Business of Art and Design, also presented research for the thesis show, which included graphs, maps, and a lit sculpture of a map comparing the walkability of three cities.

There were plenty of educational opportunities on view from Graphic Design and Business of Art and Design work in the Keating Center.

There were plenty of educational opportunities on view from Graphic Design and Business of Art and Design work in the Keating Center.

Posters for Creative Writing student thesis work were hung in the Lois and David Stulberg Gallery.

Posters for Creative Writing student thesis work were hung in the Lois and David Stulberg Gallery.

Students interact with multi-media installation of a proposal for an Egyptian-themed escape room, Journey to Duat, by Visual Studies senior Pootie.

Students interact with multi-media installation of a proposal for an Egyptian-themed escape room, Journey to Duat , by Visual Studies senior Pootie.

  • Photo Gallery: Class of 2023 Senior Thesis Show
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A visualisation of an outside space, displaying a patio with tables and red chairs, a large green tree and hanging lights. It split vertically into two images, with one displaying it in daylight with blue sky and the other at night with a black sky.

School of Visual Arts presents ten senior thesis interior design projects

Dezeen School Shows: a  community hub with commercial and residential programme spaces inspired by Haitian culture is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at the School of Visual Arts .

Also included is a funeral centre with multi-functional spaces and botanical elements and an educational therapy centre inspired by the structure of fungi .

  • School of Visual Arts

Institution: School of Visual Arts School: BFA Interior Design: Built Environments Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee

School statement:

"The 2024 SVA Interior Design: Built Environments Senior Thesis offers an immersive and comprehensive exploration tailored for aspiring interior designers.

"This course addresses a diverse array of project types, enabling students to integrate multiple design disciplines and methodologies.

"Through this integration, students will craft sensitive and aesthetically engaging interpretations of our built environment, emphasising sustainability and ethical responsibility.

"By focusing on these core values, students will develop the skills to create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also environmentally conscious and socially responsible, preparing them to be leaders in the field of interior design."

Visualisation of a red culinary complex on a beige background.

Miss Tomato by Qian Jessie Wang

"Miss Tomato is a disruptive culinary landmark that not only redefines the world of ketchup but is also a multifaceted culinary destination that combines creativity, art and sustainability, located in the bustling Chelsea neighbourhood of New York City.

"It features a tomato rooftop farm, a ketchup factory, a ketchup retail store and a tomato-themed restaurant.

"In the design of the spatial structure, I skilfully borrowed the structural cross-section of a tomato, making the building itself resemble a giant, life-affirming tomato.

"The red tomato skin skylight dome in the atrium is like a ripe tomato glistening in the sunlight – the red sunlight adding a touch of vivid colour to the whole space.

"Miss Tomato brings a feast for the senses – here you can taste pure tomato sauce, discover endless food possibilities and embrace a new way of life."

Student: Qian Jessie Wang Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: qwang14[at]sva.edu

Visualisation of a music venue showing a band playing on a stage, with yellow lighting and brown wooden ceilings.

The Aqua-Riff by Xueyi Cyrus Wang

"The Aqua-Riff is a one-of-a-kind waterfront music venue dedicated to creating an ideal entertainment environment for music lovers, especially heavy metal maniacs and local musicians.

"It was transformed from an old and unused parking garage located on the edge of Jersey City, west coast of the Hudson River, through selective utilisation and demolition of the existing structure.

"The Aqua-Riff injects the raw energy of old-school heavy metal into the coastline of Jersey City and invigorates the tedious neighbourhood through its unconventional outlook."

Student: Xueyi Cyrus Wang Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: xwang55[at]sva.edu

Visualisation from above of white and grey community space buildings with red walls.

Total Community by Meixi Xu

"Involving local communities in Harbin's urban cultural heritage conservation projects is seen as a critical component of successful historic preservation efforts.

"My thesis proposal not only preserves the historical and cultural heritage of the area, promoting the city's unique identity but also ushers in a modern lifestyle and facilities to the community and neighbourhood.

"The project strives to manifest the Total Community concept, where the cultural heritage is protected, preserved and revitalised in an intuitive and bonding environment."

Student: Meixi Xu Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: mxu1[at]3sva.edu

Visualisation of a blue interior of a community space with people sitting and walking through.

The Bridge by Charlotte Chuyan Zhou

"The vision for The Bridge is to design a versatile shared space that accommodates both the elderly and younger generations, facilitating meaningful connections between them.

"This is achieved through a dual-purpose approach: allocating time slots for each demographic, providing tailored activity spaces and strategically designing overlapping time periods to encourage intergenerational interactions.

"I seek to bridge the generational gap by creating a public space that serves as a conduit for the sharing of traditions, experiences and stories, ultimately reinforcing the bonds between different groups of people and ensuring the continuity of the cultural heritage."

Student: Charlotte Chuyan Zhou Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: czhou10[at]sva.edu

Visualisation of a skate park and outdoor social space, made up of grey concrete, pillars and greenery.

One Eighty Point by Annabella Vilchis

"Located in the heart of Williamsburg, New York, One Eighty Point stands as a beacon within younger communities, integrating expansive indoor and outdoor environments.

"Adjacent to NYCHA housing, this urban oasis features a vibrant sunken skatepark on the ground level, complemented by a free-roaming gathering space on its second level.

"Churches, with their sacred ambience, prescribe specific behavioural codes – likewise, libraries maintain an air of constraint, often associated with authority, and cafés meticulously monitor access, predominantly catering to paying patrons.

"The facility will allow for structured and unstructured interactions and experiences that will nurture and stimulate physical, emotional and mental growth for the next generation of great New Yorkers."

Student: Annabella Vilchis Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: avilchis[at]sva.edu

Visualisation of a therapy centre as a grey and gold building on a grey backdrop, with green trees either side.

Re-Mind by Wenxi Vivian Liu

"This therapy centre means to adopt adaptive reuse of historic sites of the Smallpox Hospital, located on Roosevelt Island.

"I aim to transform this space into a sanctuary for modern mental wellbeing, offering a place to rejuvenate the mind, reduce stress, provide education and promote function.

"The design approach is to create a comprehensive, personalised experience with a special focus on 'magic mushroom' sessions through an environment that truly embraces nature.

"Its core design weaves a theme of illusion, with the texture of the façade growing out of the site's collapse by mimicking the structure of a fungus, creating a captivating effect of light and shadow."

Student: Wenxi Vivian Liu Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: wliu7[at]sva.edu

Visualisation of a community hub, with a transparent structure detailed with orange circular patterns.

LI8N 88 by Yunfei Lisa Zhang

"My thesis project LI8N 88 aims to honour cultural heritage and serve as a community hub, drawing inspiration from the Chinese Lion Dance among other elements.

"My hometown is Shanghai, China, a bustling international metropolis that combines traditional elements with modern skyscrapers in its architecture.

"I hope to inject fresh vitality into the Chinatown community with my designs while preserving cultural heritage elements.

"The lion dance is a traditional Chinese performance featuring dancers that mimic a lion's movements, often accompanied by drumming and cymbals – it is believed to bring luck and prosperity during festivals and celebrations."

Student: Yunfei Lisa Zhang Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: yzhang82[at]sva.edu

Visualisation of a funeral centre interior, showing tall brown wooden rectangular structures with people sitting on benches and passing through and a large glass window showing green trees outside.

Farewell Retreat Centre by Yuhan Judy Wang

"The Farewell Retreat Centre is a funeral centre primarily focusing on 'gathering' as its central theme, aiming to cultivate a deep sense of unity among individuals.

"It aims to redefine the traditional view of 'final death', from a feared inevitability to an occasion to celebrate the memory of the deceased.

"The initiative uses botanical elements to create a tranquil atmosphere, with multi-functional spaces to meet the varying needs of visitors."

Student: Yuhan Judy Wang Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: ywang190[at]sva.edu

A visualisation of an outside space, displaying a patio with tables and red chairs, a large green tree and hanging lights. It split vertically into two images, with one displaying it in daylight with blue sky and the other at night with a black sky.

Mache by Brianna Toussaint

"The word 'mache' is a homonym in Haitian Creole, which means 'to walk' and refers to a market.

"Mache is a home of social and cultural gathering that revitalises the community of Little Haiti by nestling vibrant and enticing courtyards between the buildings that make up the Little Haiti Cultural Complex.

"Mache ensures the increase in density to this historical neighbourhood block with both commercial and residential programme spaces, remaining true to the marketplace's origin and serving the community members as a haven of comfort and security to those who seek it."

Student: Brianna Toussaint Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee Email: btoussaint[at]sva.edu

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COMMENTS

  1. The Senior Show

    SVA presents the Senior Show featuring thesis project selections from BFA Comics and BFA Illustration. On view from April 6 - 24 at the SVA Chelsea Gallery. ... The Senior Show April 6 - 24, 2023 SVA Chelsea Gallery 601 West 26th Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10001 Reception. Wed, Apr 12; 6:00 - 8:00pm ...

  2. A Sophomore or Junior's Guide to the Senior Thesis

    A senior thesis in literature, on the other hand, will likely involve studying a movement, trope, author, or theme, and your sources will involve a combination of fiction, historical context, literary criticism, and literary theory. At many schools, a thesis ranges from 80 to 125 pages. At other universities, as few as 25 pages might fill the ...

  3. Senior Thesis Writing Guides

    The senior thesis is typically the most challenging writing project undertaken by undergraduate students. The writing guides below aim to introduce students both to the specific methods and conventions of writing original research in their area of concentration and to effective writing process. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SENIOR THESIS WRITERS

  4. Senior Theses

    The Writing Center has Senior Thesis Tutors who will read drafts of your thesis (more typically, parts of your thesis) in advance and meet with you individually to talk about structure, argument, clear writing, and mapping out your writing plan. If you need help with breaking down your project or setting up a schedule for the week, the semester ...

  5. 2022 BFA Thesis Show a Dazzling Display of Graduating Seniors' Work

    There's something thrilling about the School of Visual Arts BFA Thesis Show 2022.Featuring 133 works by the 39 graduating seniors majoring in painting, printmaking, sculpture, and graphic design, the show demonstrates the myriad ways students are experimenting with materials and developing their own unique aesthetics to tell visually compelling stories.

  6. PDF Senior Thesis Guide

    Senior Thesis Guide. Human Evolutionary Biology. rev. 10/28/2020. 2020-2021. Senior Thesis Tutor/Advisor: Dr. Sarah E. Kessler, Preceptor; [email protected] Dr. Kessler runs the tutorials and meetings associated with HEB 99a and 99b. She is available to answer general thesis questions and to provide support to thesis writers (in addition ...

  7. Preparing for a Senior Thesis

    Preparing for a Senior Thesis. Student Voices. Hannah '23 Alumni. July 12, 2022. Share. Every year, a little over half of Harvard's senior class chooses to pursue a senior thesis. While the senior thesis looks a little different from field to field, one thing remains the same: completion of a senior thesis is a serious and challenging ...

  8. PDF A Guide to Writing a Senior Thesis in History & Literature

    Director of Studies to write a thesis that exceeds 20,000 words. Typical theses run somewhere in the range of 15,000-20,000 words. • All candidates for an honors degree in History & Literature must prepare a senior thesis. Students who do not complete a thesis are not eligible to graduate with honors in History & Literature.

  9. 2021 Senior Thesis Show: What is Created Through Struggle

    VISIT THE 2021 SENIOR THESIS EXHIBITION HERE Please join us in congratulating the graduating seniors in Harvard's Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies on the presentation of their 2021 Senior Thesis Exhibition: What is Created Through Struggle.. For many Art, Film, and Visual Studies students, the senior thesis is the capstone experience in the department.

  10. PDF The EPS Senior Thesis Guide

    The EPS Senior Thesis Guide Updated March 17, 2021 1 The EPS Senior Thesis Guide . A Note to Students: Completing a senior thesis will likely be the most challenging and rewarding experience of your undergraduate career. Students undertake thesis research and writing for various reasons—to see if

  11. PDF Twenty Tips for Senior Thesis Writers Revised August 2012

    It is much better to work for fifteen to twenty minutes and get something done, however small, than to keep thinking for five hours that you should be working and be so daunted that you get nothing done and then feel discouraged, demoralized, and guilty. 6. Employ the S-O-S strategy: specific, observable steps.

  12. What Is a Senior Thesis?

    Updated on January 24, 2019. A senior thesis is a large, independent research project that students take on during their senior year of high school or college to fulfill their graduation requirement. It is the culminating work of their studies at a particular institution, and it represents their ability to conduct research and write effectively.

  13. 101+ Engaging Senior Thesis Topics for Academic Excellence

    Selecting a senior thesis topic is a pivotal decision that can shape your academic journey and set the stage for your future career. These 105 senior thesis topics span a wide range of disciplines and offer exciting opportunities for research, exploration, and critical thinking. Whether you're passionate about the humanities, sciences ...

  14. Design

    The Thesis Project begins for each senior at the onset of the 2021 Spring Semester, with its main emphasis being for our students to choose a Thesis Project with significant depth and breadth within the first two weeks of this semester. Our project's focus is for student work to embody both thoughtful design and skillful execution and thereby ...

  15. 2023 Senior Thesis Art Show Looks 'Through It All'

    In their senior year, Whitman College's Studio Art majors conclude their studies with a final thesis exhibition in the Sheehan Gallery. The Class of 2023 included 16 artists displaying their work, "Through It All.". The gallery show opened in April and closed on the Sunday of the artists' Commencement . Emily Somoskey, the Johnston ...

  16. 2022-2023 Senior Thesis Guide

    Senior Thesis research. This Senior Thesis Prospectus is due on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. It serves the purpose of ensuring that you have a clear vision of the work that lies ahead for you and your faculty advisor. You have had all summer to think about your Senior Thesis research. You should return to campus organized and prepared to begin

  17. The Senior Undergraduate Thesis Show Opened This Week

    By. Audrey Deng. December 06, 2019. On December 5th, the undergraduate senior thesis exhibition held a reception celebrating the show's opening. This show marks the midway point in the seniors' final year at Columbia University. Works by these visual arts majors are on display in the LeRoy Neiman Gallery at Dodge Hall from December 5-18, 2019.

  18. 2024 Senior Thesis Exhibition

    The annual Senior Thesis exhibitions at the Ringling College of Art and Design give viewers the opportunity to experience new and innovative approaches to art created by each graduating class. opening Reception. FRIDAY APRIL 26 5-8pm.

  19. RISD Apparel Design Senior Thesis Show

    For the spring 23 thesis exhibition, Apparel Design seniors presented their final bodies of work in Epilogue [23], a live runway show at the Fleet Library on campus.For more about Apparel Design's class of 2023 and their work—including process photos and artist statements—flip through the Epilogue [23] exhibition catalogue.You can also read about last year's show, as well as previous ...

  20. Senior Theses

    Doing a senior thesis is an exciting enterprise. It's often the first time students are engaging in truly original research and trying to develop a significant contribution to a field of inquiry. But as joyful as an independent research process can be, you don't have to go it alone. It's important to have support as you navigate such a large endeavor, and the ARC is here to offer one of ...

  21. 2022 Senior Thesis Art Show is "A Piece of Cake"

    2022 Senior Thesis Art Show is "A Piece of Cake". All photos by Tara Graves. In their senior year, Whitman College's studio art majors conclude their studies with a final thesis exhibition in the Sheehan Gallery. The year's show, "A Piece of Cake," will run through May 22, 2022. The sweet theme was decided by the 11 graduating students.

  22. 2023 Senior Thesis Show Gallery

    Visitors engaged in the works at the 2023 Illustration Senior Thesis show. Alyssa Osceola '23, Illustration, posing with her book, ACHÉEBALE TACHOOPOKNAACHOM, on the intertwined histories of Sarasota, Ringling College and Ringling Museum, the Seminole people, the Seminole Wars, and the author, a descendant of Seminole tribe members ...

  23. School of Visual Arts presents ten senior thesis interior ...

    School of Visual Arts. Institution: School of Visual Arts School: BFA Interior Design: Built Environments Course: Senior Thesis Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee School statement: "The 2024 ...

  24. Senior Film Thesis Show

    Senior Film Thesis Show. Frances Niederer Auditorium, Richard Wetherill Visual Arts Center Friday, May 3, 2024: 7 pm - 8 pm.

  25. Arts & Entertainment Calendar

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