Through her thesis, Transcending Blue: Adolescent Interconnection & Empathy in the Age of Screens, Catherine Weislogel examines how digital technology usage impacts adolescent social and emotional well-being. While all humans are susceptible to the effects of the omnipresence of technology in their daily lives, children and adolescents, in the critical stages of brain development, are the most vulnerable.

Growing up in a traditional Chinese family where extroversion is highly regarded, Yufei Wang—a self-identifying introvert—explored how introverts can thrive in an extrovert-centric world. In her thesis, Transversion: Creating Better Spaces for Introverts, she advocates for introverts by designing spaces in which they are not expected to alter their behavior or personality. Unlike existing social spaces, which reward extroverts and are challenging for introverts to navigate, Yufei’s designs support introverts rather than asking them to “rise to the occasion” through design interventions that include reflection, culture sharing, communication, and recharging.

Food sits at the center of human life. It fuels our days and is the root of social activities in restaurants and at family meals. Quite literally, it sustains us. Yet, as a culture, we have lost touch with where our food comes from and how a nutritious, delicious diet can be used to create a healthier, happier, more sustainable future. Bart Haney's thesis, Happy Plants and A Smiling Belly: Investigating the Probable Future of the Human Food System, proposes radical shifts in thinking about the design of public information. He designed provocative solutions to heal ailing bodies, toxic lands, and a broken system in the service of happy plants and even happier bellies. Reimagining the production and distribution of fruits, vegetables, and synthetic proteins brings traditional foodstuffs in line with current and future needs, building absolutely toward a healthier future.