INTERMEDIATE
MYSTIC
UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
THE BRIEF
I believe design is my superpower. It lets me make unexpected connections and uncover beauty and magic in the everyday. Everything around us, even nature, carries intention and form. Not everyone fixates on small details, but noticing them fuels my creativity. I see design as rediscovery, not invention—the answers already exist, waiting to be found. While there is logic in the work, mystery and play drive the process.
Design lives in the in-between, where curiosity meets problem-solving and self-expression. I never felt at home in math or science, but design gave me purpose and a space where magic, meaning, and connection thrive.
My thesis explores how magic, mysticism, and play shape my days and my work. I often hyper-fixate on new interests, and allowing space for that curiosity has strengthened my practice. This project takes form through digital and physical collage, examining people, places, and objects that spark wonder and escapism. Each piece breaks down how design helps bring clarity to a busy mind.
Research like ADHD and Creativity: How Women with ADHD Can Harness Their Unique Talents and Strengths by Sami Bedell-Mulhern reinforces my belief that thinking differently is a strength. Solidifying this philosophy has given me freedom, confidence, and optimism. Play keeps me productive, inspired, and hopeful. Through it, design feels limitless—an open invitation to believe anything is possible.
INVOLVEMENT
Visual Direction, Writing, Photography, Layout Design, Documentation.
TOOLS
Produced using Photoshop and InDesign.
SENIOR SYMPOSIA
THESIS PUBLICATION
This thesis explores magic, mysticism, and play as intentional ways to navigate modern life. In response to anxiety, responsibility, and the heaviness of adulthood, I began seeking moments of curiosity and wonder not as escape, but as a grounding force.
Through reflection and design practice, I examine how playful thinking and gentle escapism support emotional balance and creativity. This is not a universal philosophy, but a personal framework shaped by lived experience and curiosity.
Ultimately, this work celebrates the clarity and joy that come from making space for imagination and rest. When we prioritize play, we stay present, empathetic, and connected—and life feels a little more magical.
