A non-profit organization in San Francisco that helps newcomers adapt to local life quickly and effectively, expand their social circles, and enrich their lives.

COURSES }
Visual Communications Lab
Thesis 1, 2, 3

INSTRUCTORS }
Phil Hamlett
William Culpepper
Jeremy Stout

SEMESTERS }
Fall 2021
Spring 2021
Fall 2022
Spring 2022

CATEGORIES }
Branding
Promotional Design
UX/UI Design
Event Design
Editorial Design

OBJECTIVE }
The Master of Fine Arts Thesis Project is a one-year exploration of a selected topic related to social issues. The purpose is to find ways in which graphic design can be used to solve a problem and to implement a possible solution that demonstrates unique design thinking. The entire program content includes a variety of in-depth research techniques, strategies, exploration, development, and execution of the design deliverable.

APPROACH }
Hyphen is a program to help newcomers quickly adapt to local life in San Francisco. When I first came to the Bay Area three years ago, I felt extremely unfamiliar with the city where I planned to live and study. There was a huge cultural difference, so I didn’t feel any sense of belonging. However, by chance, I attended a local Thanksgiving event and first felt the warmth of “home” there. Therefore, I decided to help and welcome more newcomers through Hyphen. I hope that through my project, I can help more visitors who come here to work and live. The target audience is not limited to international students but also includes people who need to live in the city for an extended period.

BACKGROUND }
San Francisco is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse American cities. Overall, the city offers both diverse and homogeneous neighborhoods to people from different races and cultures. However, the isolation within some communities prevents people of different cultures from taking advantage of opportunities to communicate and connect. People from abroad can easily live within their own comfort zones, but their social circles will be limited.