Botanic Garden Signage Database - UX Design and Research
Clancy Wilmott, Professor
Geography
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
This project is the production of the Botanic Gardens Signage Database, part of a wider collaboration with the UC Botanic Gardens at Berkeley on the use of signage and interpretive materials within the Crops of the World garden (and the gardens more broadly) from decolonial frameworks.
Role: This role is focused on design visual communications iconography for the online signage database.
~Tasks~
+ Undertaking basic research (if needed) in contemporary visual design and communication theory
+ Using Adobe Illustrator to design favicon icons to communicate different elements of the signage (short text, long text, graphics, maps)
+ Undertaking basic UX research to ascertain which icons communicate meaning most effectively to audiences, in tandem with the broader Botanic Gardens signage project.
+ Developing a final icon set for use in the Botanic Gardens database, including asset management.
~ Learning outcomes ~
+ Develop skills in UX Research and Design, with a focus on visual communication and graphic design
+ Research management including project databases and folders
+ Stakeholder management and communication for UX research
+ Working in a research team
Qualifications: This would suit students with a *demonstrated* ongoing interest in UX, graphic design and visual communication, from disciplines such as media studies, architecture, information studies and computer science.
Essential: knowledge of communications studies and visuality, and familiarity with discipline specific terms (eg. semiotics); Interest and aptitude in graphic design, and comfort using creative software tools (i.e. you're good at figuring it out); Willingness to connect with potential research interviewees, undertake user interviews and reflect on one's own work, and refine; High-level organisational skills and motivation - this is a deadlined project with the UC Botanic Gardens and must be completed on time.
Desirable: Experience with, or interest in web design (HTML/CSS/.js coding even better!); Experience with UX design and research, either through classwork or extra-curricular projects; Ability to meet on Wednesdays for the studio.geo? URAP meetings.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: 106 McCone Hall, unless remote.
Related website: https://studiogeo.berkeley.edu/
Engineering, Design & Technologies Digital Humanities and Data Science