Genius Within
Challenge
How Might We recognize the inventive spirit of Cambridge in an inclusive manner?
Roles:
Visual and Experience Designer
Design Mentor
Researcher
Client:
MIT
Timeline:
2018 - 2025
The Project:
In February 2020, I joined the team at Innovators for Purpose as a Design Assistant and Mentor. My first task was to lead a team of innovative youth through the design process on a project called the Genius Within. The goal was to create an installation that would add diversity to Massachusetts Institute of Technology's "Entrepreneur’s Walk of Fame" in Kendall Square. The installation will consist of four cubes stacked upon each other, each one rotating so the viewer can interact with it, along with a QR code that will take you to a student-built website consisting of more info on our chosen Geniuses.
This project has been ongoing since before I started, but I have been working to create an appealing design featuring strong typography and color application that will be eye catching and accessible and amplify the diversity we want to bring to Kendall Square.
MIT's Entrepreneur Walk of Fame
Design with Purpose:
At its core, the Genius Within aims to show that anyone and everyone has the potential to be a Genius. Creating a design that felt welcoming was a must. The layout has gone through quite a bit of changes from when I first started, and it is probably one of the strongest examples I have that shows my progression as a designer. My original thoughts were to create something slathered in technical blue, but this lacked a warmth that should be present on an installation with the intent of inviting viewers to explore it.
I added yellow and red to bring warmth, while still keeping some of the blue for that techy touch. Over the years between these two images below, I learned a lot about typography, layout, and color, through design reviews and feedback from the team.
We went from this:
To this:
Mirrors were integrated to further that feeling of inclusiveness. We wanted all viewers to be able to see themselves as a Genius. With that said, I had to think about placement and what would make the most sense when it came to accessibility. People of all heights should be able to reach a mirror.
Takeaways:
This project so far has taught me a lot about who I am as a designer. I strive to create designs that tell a story and that resonate with the people who interact with it. Mentoring my students on this design process has been such a great experience and it's so fulfilling to see the next generation so passionate about making positive change through design.
Designing for MIT has been an amazing opportunity in its own, but getting to research (and even meet) some of these amazing, innovative minds has been such a memorable experience.
I can't wait to see this installation finally installed at One Broadway in Kendall Square!
