by tea mauko -

Critical Evaluation of a thesis

Title:

Digital Kaleidoscopes: The Synergy Between Graphic Design and Photography through Visual Perception

Author:

Derek Reynolds

Publication Year:

2013

Institution:

Radford University

Department:

Graphic Design

Evaluation

  1. Design Quality The thesis has a straightforward design, likely made in Microsoft Word. The layout uses white pages and a single font, giving it a simple, academic appearance. Reynolds also held a photography exhibition as part of his project, showing his work in a professional, visually engaging format, which complemented his written research.
  2. Degree of Innovation Reynolds‘ work stands out for its fresh approach, combining photography and graphic design with a focus on patterns, an area not commonly explored in design studies. His approach is personal and creative, using his own photography series to illustrate design principles, which adds a unique, innovative dimension.
  3. Independence The thesis shows independence in both thought and execution. Reynolds developed his own photography series and applied design principles to analyze it, describing in detail how he used various software tools to achieve his results.
  4. Outline and Structure The thesis has a clear and logical structure. However, it could benefit from a brief history of photography’s role in design in the introduction, which would provide helpful context for readers. Reordering some chapters, such as placing „Artistic Inspiration“ before „Manipulation of Digital Images,“ could also improve the overall flow.
  5. Degree of Communication Reynolds writes in a direct and clear style, making complex ideas easy to follow without sounding overly technical. This accessible approach invites readers into the material and keeps the paper engaging.
  6. Scope of the Work The thesis could cover more theory, especially on the topic of patterns, which is a primary focus in his photography series. Adding this would strengthen the connection between his visual work and the theoretical framework.
  7. Orthography and Accuracy Reynolds’ work is accurate and well-cited. He includes references for all important points, ensuring a reliable and well-supported presentation.
  8. Literature Review The thesis includes about 20 sources, a moderate amount, but these are high-quality and mostly drawn from books and articles rather than websites. His references include key figures in design, like David Carson, adding authority to his research.
by Ramona Gross -

#3 Kritische Bewertung einer Masterarbeit

Masterarbeit von Theresa Wind zu Trends und Anforderungen an Corporate Design im Kontext von E-Commerce

(1) Gestaltungshöhe

Die Gestaltung der Arbeit ist gut strukturiert und visuell ansprechend. Die Arbeit nutzt präzise gestaltete Diagramme, um Corporate Design-Konzepte zu veranschaulichen. Die Qualität der Grafiken zeigt die gestalterischen Fähigkeiten der Autorin, was zur Verständlichkeit und ästhetischen Wirkung der Arbeit beiträgt.

(2) Innovationsgrad

Der Innovationsgrad ist solide, wenn auch nicht überdurchschnittlich hoch. Die Arbeit behandelt moderne Trends im E-Commerce-Design und setzt diese in einem Corporate Design Manual für einen Online-Shop um. Obwohl der Fokus auf aktuellen Design-Trends liegt, enthält sie eher eine praktische Anwendung bestehender Theorien als völlig neue Ansätze.

(3) Selbstständigkeit

Die Autorin hat die Arbeit eigenständig und mit einem hohen Maß an Selbstständigkeit verfasst, was durch die eidesstattliche Erklärung bestätigt wird. Die Arbeit zeigt eine umfassende Recherche und Analyse, sodass sie methodisch gut aufgebaut ist und persönliche Einblicke in die Praxis des Corporate Designs einbringt.

(4) Gliederung und Struktur

Die Arbeit ist klar und gut strukturiert. Sie folgt einem logischen Aufbau, der die theoretischen Grundlagen zu Corporate Design und E-Commerce einführt und diese dann praktisch auf den Online-Shop anwendet. Der Leser wird Schritt für Schritt durch das Thema geführt, was die Verständlichkeit erhöht.

(5) Kommunikationsgrad

Die Sprache ist klar und verständlich, mit nur wenigen Fachausdrücken, die für Branchenkenner sofort nachvollziehbar sind. Der Kommunikationsgrad ist insgesamt hoch und die Ausführungen sind sachlich, sodass die Zielgruppe problemlos folgen kann.

(6) Umfang der Arbeit

Der Umfang ist angemessen, weder überladen noch zu knapp, und umfasst sowohl theoretische Hintergründe als auch praktische Anwendung. Die Balance zwischen Theorie und Praxis ist gelungen.

(7) Orthographie sowie Sorgfalt und Genauigkeit

Die Orthographie und sprachliche Sorgfalt sind weitestgehend gut, allerdings könnten einige Passagen gestrafft werden, um eine höhere Prägnanz zu erreichen. Inhaltlich ist die Arbeit jedoch sehr genau und belegt jede Aussage mit fundierten Quellen.

(8) Literatur

Die Literaturauswahl ist vielfältig und deckt alle wesentlichen Aspekte ab, die für das Thema Corporate Design und E-Commerce relevant sind. Die Arbeit basiert auf aktuellen Studien und anerkannten Fachbüchern, was die wissenschaftliche Fundierung unterstützt.

by stefanie.weber -

#01 Critical Evaluation of a thesis

(Disclaimer: For this Blog-Post ChatGPT was used to find translations from German to English and for synonyms and languagetool.org to check my grammar)

Title: Musikalische Darstellungsprinzipien in Tanzfilmen: Am Beispiel der Filme mit Fred Astaire und Ginger Rogers
Author: Veronika Stöber

Date: Vienna, 2013
Institution: University of Vienna
Study Degree: Diplomstudium Musikwissenschaft
Source: https://permalink.obvsg.at/AC10766476

Abstract

(This abstract was translated with the help of deepl.com)

This thesis deals with the principles of musical representation in dance films and approaches the subject by looking at various aspects, such as the use of leitmotifs, quotations or the translation of texts into song and instrumental music. As a basis for further examination of the musical sections of the films Top Hat and Follow the Fleet, an analysis of the content is first carried out on the basis of the characters, plot structures and scenery. This shows that the differences between the two films are primarily plot-related. This is followed by the musical analysis, which, after describing the forms of the arrangements, is primarily dedicated to the realization and further processing of the various motifs. Although singing is also used as an expression of language in the films analyzed, rhythm as an expression of dance is at the heart of the development of the musical themes. It is the most important representational principle in both films and finds it’s way into all of the areas worked on.

1. Level of Design

The thesis is methodically structured, with a clear design focused on comparative analysis. It integrates detailed sections on film narrative, musical arrangements, and theoretical perspectives, each supported by visual aids like charts and tables for clarity. This structure exemplifies a well-thought-out design level.

2. Degree of Innovation

The thesis innovatively approaches the intersection of musicology and film studies, particularly by analyzing the music in dance films from a cinematic and musically structural perspective. This approach is unique and provides an insightful contribution to the study of film music, as it diverges from more typical narrative-focused or purely musical analyses.

3. Independence

The thesis reflects a high degree of independence, showcasing Stöber’s initiative in analyzing specific films and her decision to emphasize auditory analysis due to the lack of accessible scores. This choice demonstrates her adaptability and willingness to employ unique methods.

4. Outline and Structure

The structure is coherent, beginning with an introduction to the dance film genre, moving through film narratives and musical analysis, and concluding with findings. Each section logically progresses into the next, which aids the reader in understanding complex analytical processes.

5. Degree of communication

The communication is effective and clear, especially in conveying analytical findings in both music and film. Stöber’s language is accessible yet technical, making the analysis understandable for readers familiar with music or film studies without sacrificing depth.

6. Scope of the work

The scope is thorough, as the thesis examines the music’s interaction with narrative elements, the history of RKO productions, and character analysis across two films. This comprehensive approach provides a rich context that supports her conclusions.

7. Orthography and Accuracy

The orthography and grammatical accuracy appear strong, with professional language and technical terms used correctly throughout the text. There is clear attention to detail in citations and references, contributing to the thesis’s credibility.

8. Literature

The literature review is extensive, referencing significant works on American musicals, RKO history, and film music theory. This thorough selection enhances the thesis’s academic rigor by situating it within established scholarship, though it might benefit from including more recent analyzes to balance classic and contemporary perspectives.

I specifically picked Veronika Stöber’s thesis for this blog entry and research, because of it’s detailed exploration of how music structures and enhances dance within film, a foundation that closely parallels the role of camera movement. By analyzing how music shapes narrative and complements choreography, this thesis provides a framework for understanding how another core visual element—camera movement—can be used to amplify emotion, emphasize motion, and contribute to storytelling in dance films.

by katharina.mundigler -

#Computer Grafik – Bewertung einer Diplomarbeit

Für meine Bewertung habe ich die Diplomarbeit mit dem Titel “Semantic-Aware Animation of Hand-Drawn Characters” von Thorsten Korpitsch ausgesucht. Die Arbeit wurde am 6. August 2023 an der Fakultät für Informatik der Technischen Universität Wien eingereicht zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Diplom-Ingenieur.

(1) Gestaltungshöhe
Die Arbeit ist anhand des technischen Aspektes sehr schlicht gehalten und folgt den Kriterien und Vorlagen der TU Wien. Da es um ein Thema im Rahmen Visual Computing geht, ist die simple Gestaltung sehr förderlich für den Lesefluss und das Verständnis. Große Zahlen auf der rechten Seite repräsentieren die verschiedenen Chapter, was der Arbeitsgliederung mehr Struktur gibt.

(2) Innovationsgrad
Die Arbeit behandelt eine sehr zeitgemäße Thematik, da es sich mit der Implementierung von handgezeichneten Charakteren in Animationen beschäftigt, die als Hilfestellung von audio geführten Touren (Beispielsweise Museen) dienen sollen. Durch die Ausarbeitung und Fertigstellung eines Prototypen und die verschiedenen analysierten Rechenmodelle schafft Thorsten eine gute Grundbasis für die zukünftige visuelle Verbesserung von öffentlicher Wissensvermittlung. Anhand der Verknüpfung von bestehenden Arbeiten zur Thematik und der Erweiterung von selbstgezeichneten Charakteren, die den BesucherInnen Wissen leichter heranbringen soll, wird so der Innovationsgrad der Arbeit maßgeblich gesteigert.

(3) Selbstständigkeit
Die Diplomarbeit zeigt ein hohes Maß an Eigenständigkeit. Dies wird besonders durch die selbstständige Strukturierung und Aufarbeitung des Themas sowie die eigenverantwortliche Auswahl und Anwendung detaillierter Methoden deutlich. Die intensive Auseinandersetzung mit der empirischen Forschung und die Integration von Theorie und Praxis verdeutlichen das eigenständige Vorgehen nochmals. Erkenntlich wird dies auch bei der genauen Analyse der hervorgebrachten Prototypen. 

(4) Gliederung und Struktur
Die Gliederung der Arbeit ist sehr genau und übersichtlich. Beginnend mit dem Hintergrund der Arbeit, zu den definierten Zielen über Recherche, verwandte Arbeiten zu den technischen Aspekten und Implementierung sowie die Zusammenfassung und Ergebnisse. Die Arbeit ist so aufgebaut, dass kein großer technischer Hintergrund für das alleinige Verständnis und Überblick der Thematik (ausgenommen Rechenmodelle) vorhanden sein muss.

(5) Kommunikationsgrad
Die Arbeit ist klar und präzise verfasst, sie ist in englischer Sprache, was bei dem Themengebiet aufgrund des Vokabulars auch naheliegend ist. Komplexere Rechenmodelle werden insofern erklärt, um die Ergebnisse zu verstehen, nicht aber die Ausgangslage, warum und wie man zu diesen Berechnungen kommt. Aufgrund der gewählten Fragestellung/Praxis, kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass bei Interesse an dieser Arbeit, ein Grundwissen der LeserInnen bereits vorhanden ist.

(6) Umfang der Arbeit
Der Gesamtumfang der Arbeit ist mit ihren 85 Seiten (exklusive Literaturverzeichnis) sehr hoch und wird dem akademischen Grad eines Diplom-Ingenieurs meiner Meinung nach sehr gerecht. Sie beinhaltet von technischen Grundlagen, Theorie bis hin zur Implementierung und Analyse wichtige Punkte, die für eine gute Balance der Arbeit wichtig sind.

(7) Orthografie/Sorgfalt/Genauigkeit
Die Arbeit ist meiner Meinung und Englischkenntnissen nach, fehlerfrei und wurde sehr sorgfältig geschrieben. Abbildungen sind klar dargestellt und gut nachvollziehbar. Aus grafischer Sicht hätte man diese schöner in das Gesamtkonzept einarbeiten können. Da dies aber nicht der Anspruch und der Hauptaspekt der Arbeit ist, kann dieser Punkt vernachlässigt werden.

(8) Literatur
Die verwendete Literatur ist mit seinen 7 Seiten sehr umfangreich. Thorsten Korpitsch bezieht sich auf viele verschiedene Artikel/Bücher und anderen Quellen, die zum einen zeitgemäß und aktuell sind, zum anderen werden Grundkonzepte der Computer Grafik analysiert. 

Aus einem technischen Aspekt ist die Arbeit sehr gut aufgebaut und wichtige Themen werden entsprechend aufgeteilt und analysiert. Eine gründliche Recherche bieten eine gute Basis für ein sehr spannendes Thema was meiner Meinung nach sehr hilfreich für zukünftige Wissensvermittlung sein kann. Die praktische Ausarbeitung des Prototypen und Ausarbeitung der entstandenen Problematik sowie nächste Schritte für weitere Forschungsmöglichkeiten machen dieses Werk zu einer sehr interessanten und wichtigen Arbeit.

Quelle:

  • Korpitsch, Thorsten. 2023. „Semantic-Aware Animation of Hand-Drawn Characters, Technischen Universität Wien.
by vinzenz.weber -

Escape the Decision Arena – Designing and evaluating an immersive collaborative gaming experience in a cylindrical environment

Title: Escape the Decision Arena – Designing and evaluating an immersive collaborative gaming experience in a cylindrical environment
Author: Peter Dromberg
Publication Year: 2022
Institution: Linköppings Universitet
Department: Department of Science and Technology

When I was researching for interesting Masters Theses this one stood out to me. Most of the other Masters theses I found where classic 2D Games, Inventory Systems or traffic simulations. This one is also a Game, but it uses a 360 Degree screen with multiple projectors around a round table. This makes the interaction and the possibilities much harder but also much more interesting.

1. Level of Design

The level of design in this thesis is well-structured and follows a classic scientific style, with clear sections, example images, and graphs that aid in understanding the content. It is a traditional approach, aligning with academic standards for a scientific master’s thesis. However, the design remains quite formal and restrained, which contrasts with more visually creative, “designy” theses that explore unique layouts or experimental formats.

2. Degree of Innovation

The work is innovative in several aspects. It explores game design in a non-standard environment (the Decision Arena), which includes an unusual 360-degree display and sound system, creating a new avenue for cooperative immersive games. The thesis pushes the boundaries of typical multiplayer games by integrating physical space with digital interaction, specifically focusing on collaborative gameplay and sound localization.

3. Independence

The authors show a high degree of independence, having not only designed and developed the game but also evaluated it through multiple user tests. They tackled various technical challenges, such as integrating WebSockets, Unreal Engine, and SuperCollider for an immersive audio-visual experience, which demonstrates their capability to work autonomously and resolve complex, interdisciplinary problems.

4. Outline and Structure

The thesis follows a logical and clear structure, with sections on the theoretical framework, methodology, game design, evaluation, and results. Each chapter builds on the previous one, which aids in understanding their design decisions. The theoretical section covers immersion, sound, and interface design comprehensively, providing a strong foundation for the project. However, the structure could be improved by consolidating some sections to streamline readability.

5. Degree of Communication

The thesis communicates its findings well, though there are some technical terms that could benefit from additional clarification for general readers. The methods and results are presented clearly, with diagrams and figures enhancing the understanding of the Decision Arena’s setup and the system architecture. The authors also provided a balanced presentation of quantitative and qualitative evaluation results, which enhances the comprehensibility of their research outcomes.

6. Scope of the Work

The scope is ambitious, covering game design, sound engineering, and immersive technology within a collaborative environment. The authors focused on multiple dimensions of the game (visuals, sound, interaction) within the limited space and technology constraints of the Decision Arena. While comprehensive, the scope might have been narrowed to explore one or two aspects more deeply, such as sound localization or immersive design mechanics.

7. Orthography and Accuracy

The Author effectively communicate his concept, which aligns well with academic standards. It is written very well and helps to really understand the topic and the Journey the Author went through.

8. Literature

The thesis utilizes a good selection of literature related to immersive experiences, game design, and sound localization, particularly relevant to the unique Decision Arena setting. The authors have cited a range of studies on immersion, interface design, and collaborative gaming, indicating a strong theoretical basis for their project.

Sources

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1740943/FULLTEXT01.pdf

by tom.giess -

#21 | Designing User Experience in eHealth Applications for Young-Age Epilepsy

The present master’s thesis „Designing User Experience in eHealth Applications for Young- Age Epilepsy“, submitted by Pietro Lentini at the Politecnico di Milano in the study year 2021/2022, deals with the needs and pain points of parents with children with epilepsy. Furthermore, the mobile application MirrorHR for epilepsy self-management was studied and the function for a new remote monitoring scenario was designed using a prototype.

The author formulated the following research questions: Why do parents of children with epilepsy use a self-management app for epilepsy? Which are their needs? Which are their pain points? How is the usability of MirrorHR? Are there aspects to improve? Considering the seizure detection feature in MirrorHR, are there new remote monitoring scenarios for children that the users would be interested in?

Level of design

The present work focuses primarily on background research using semi-structured qualitative interviews and a post-interview anonymous questionnaire. Nevertheless, the results of this study led to a practical prototype that was subsequently evaluated.

The work can be divided into the following five phases. It starts with the analysis of relevant literature, design principles and frameworks, case studies and the state of the art at that time. Second, the author investigated user needs and scenarios by conducting a user study on the MirrorHR application. It continues with the actual development of a prototype for a specific remote monitoring scenario. This is followed by a user evaluation of the study results and the prototype, and finally leads into a discussion section.

Degree of innovation

As the author notes, the existing MirrorHR app faces several challenges due to the fact that it is still a work in progress. One major challenge is the monitoring feature, which at the time only supported a short-range connection between a wearable and a smartphone. However, no usability study or user needs analysis was carried out.

It is stated that not only this app, but epilepsy self-management applications in general can benefit from the insights into user needs and pain points provided by this work. The examined scenario could be helpful for other mHealth applications focusing on children.

Independence

In addition to the literature review in the first part, the author attempted to verify his goals by applying relevant methods in the user study as well as in the design and evaluation of a prototype. This shows a high degree of independent work.

Outline and structure

The contents seem well structured and transparently organized, making it easy to navigate to specific parts of the chapters. Interestingly, the table of contents begins with a list of all figures, tables, abbreviations, and acronyms; followed by the chapters; and ends with the comprehensive appendices of interviews, questionnaires, findings, and prototype.

The chapters of this thesis show the following intended purposes: The relevant literature to get the context of the thesis, design frameworks and principles that have been used, reviewed case studies and the state of the art are shown in Chapter 2. It is followed by the methodological choices and how they have been applied in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 summarizes the results and analyses, leading to a discussion of the contributions and limitations of the studies in Chapter 5. The work concludes with a summary of all conclusions in Chapter 6.

As this research has been carried out at an Italian university, some of the fundamental parts of the study are only available in Italian. However, the entire written thesis is available in English.

Degree of communication

Although the topic of the thesis is mainly scientific, the author manages to write in a low- threshold and easy-to-understand language instead of complicating the readability with super-scientific language. Thorough definitions and background knowledge are provided in various subject areas to ensure that non-experts can follow the scientific explanations. All abbreviations and acronyms are listed in the Table of Contents, and transparency is provided

through attached interview transcripts and email communications. A discussion chapter shows the difficult circumstances and limitations under which this work had to be developed.

Scope of the work

The objectives of this thesis lies in understanding the motives of parents of children with epilepsy to choose self-management apps for epilepsy. This was done by examining user needs and pain points. Furthermore, the usability of the MirrorHR app, which is supported by the FightTheStroke Foundation, was evaluated and a specific monitoring scenario for this application was investigated.

Orthography and accuracy

There are no spelling or grammatical errors that might indicate careful proofreading. Specific terms are used correctly and are defined. The presentation of information is shown in correct citations and a structured list of sources, in accordance with academic standards. Methodology is adequately explained and documented at the end.

Literature

The present list of references appears to be well researched in a wide variety of scientific and industry media. This diversity includes official ISO definitions, specialized books and journals, reviews, web addresses, guidelines and scientific articles. The subject areas vary between medicine, healthcare, human-computer interaction, user-centered design, technology and behavioral sciences.

Conclusion

Taking into account the previous paragraphs, it can be stated that this master’s thesis makes a meaningful contribution to a very specialized field of application. It shows a high level of independent work to investigate the needs and concerns of parents with children with epilepsy and focuses on the evaluation and improvement of the MirrorHR application. Outline and structure are well organized and comprehensible. The written text is easy to understand and well thought out. Citations and references are in accordance with the appropriate scientific standard, and the appendices show great transparency. Finally, the author discusses the limitations of the studies, the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic and provides an outlook for future research.

Resources

Pietro Lentini. Designing User Experience in eHealth Applications for Young-Age Epilepsy. Retrieved October 29, 2024, from https://www.politesi.polimi.it/retrieve/8610722f-1401-487e-8fae-aee491ea275f/2022_12_Lentini_01.pdf

by katharina.rauch -

Interactive Design Thinking Portfolio: A tool for User Experience Designers

Title: Interactive Design Thinking Portfolio: A Tool for User Experience Designers
Author: Behnaz Norouzi
Publication Year: 2017
Institution: Lappeenranta University of Technology
Study Program: Computer Science (Software Engineering)

When I came across this thesis, I was interested to it because of my own interest in creating a tool for UX designers based on the Double Diamond framework. I’m currently exploring how to develop a tool that can provide designers with structured guidance, while also highlighting the importance of different design steps to stakeholders. Norouzi’s work aligned with these goals, providing a solid foundation to evaluate for inspiration and improvement.

Level of Design

The thesis generally includes clear and functional designs for the different design methods within the design thinking process. The graphics are consistent and illustrate the methods effectively, though they could have been more refined or creatively presented for better visual appeal. The Interactive Design Thinking Portfolio prototype itself (https://d2wlbq.axshare.com/home.html) felt quite basic and could benefit from a more intuitive and visually attractive layout. I think there are better designed UX tools online.

Degree of Innovation

The concept of an integrated tool for UX designers is quite innovative, as far as I know. But to fully evaluate this, I need to dig deeper into research for my own project. I would say that her theoretical foundation is strong, but the prototype’s execution lacked uniqueness – as already said. A more modern, user-friendly interface, or features allowing further interactivity, could enhance its innovative appeal. While the tool idea is solid, the implementation doesn’t yet feel like a groundbreaking resource for UX professionals.

Independence

I would say that a certain level of independence is given by developing and designing this UX tool. The approach and idea shows initiative and dedication. I like it, that her approach shows both literature and personal insights. Although the tool itself was not as polished as it could be the process reflects her ability to research and apply design thinking principles.

Outline and Structure

The structure of the thesis is logical and easy to follow, I would say. It begins with an introduction to design thinking, then covers the design thinking process and a lot of different design thinking methods. And after that she continues with her interactive design thinking portfolio. There is also a nice and understandable overview of the structure of the thesis in the beginning, which also helps a lot to find your way through it. In total it’s maybe a bit too much about each design method, without real and deeper meaning outcome behind it.

Degree of Communication

I would say that the ideas and the design thinking process as well as the methods are communicated well. With clear language and examples. The descriptions of each method are detailed and seem tailored to help designers understand the potential applications.

Scope of the Work

The scope covers a broad array of design thinking methods, which is very nice and ambitious for the master’s thesis. As far as I have seen there are more then 25 methods explained methods within the different design phases. It shows an solid, structured approach for UX designers. On the other hand a maybe narrowed focus on a smaller selection of methods could have allowed deeper exploration and refinement. Nonetheless, the thesis provides a comprehensive toolkit that might be useful for structuring my own ideas on this topic. I have to think about it again, if I really want to cover this full range of methods – or if I maybe want to focus on fewer steps in particular. I am still working on my final topic for my master thesis.

Orthography and Accuracy

The thesis appears well-written. I couldn’t read the whole thesis, so I don’t really know about errors. I would say that technical terms are used appropriately, enhancing the academic credibility of the work. However, some sections could maybe benefit from clearer explanations for non-experts. I also couldn’t find a glossar, but at least a list of abbreviations in the beginning of the thesis.

Literature

The thesis includes an extensive range of literature, spanning both foundational design thinking sources and recent studies. This variety strengthens the theoretical framework and aligns well with the practical objectives.

Conclusion

Overall the thesis offers a valuable reference point for anyone interested in UX design and design thinking tools. The Interactive Design Thinking Portfolio could help UX designers organize and prioritize design stages – if it was made a bit better – providing a starting point for my own ideas on creating a Double Diamond based tool. Although improvements could be made in design execution and user interface, as well as in the general theoretical outcome – the concept is innovative, and her structured approach could help me if I stay with my topic

Sources

https://lutpub.lut.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/135197/Master%27s%20Thesis-NorouziBehnaz.pdf
https://d2wlbq.axshare.com/home.html

by Jakob Hirscher -

IMPULSE #1: Bewertung einer Masterarbeit

Für meine kritische Bewertung habe ich die Masterarbeit mit dem Titel „Erfolgreiches Rebranding einer Marke“ von Felix Huber ausgewählt. Diese wurde im August 2022 an der Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades „Master of Science“ eingereicht. Die Arbeit habe ich anhand folgender Kriterien bewertet: Gestaltungshöhe, Innovationsgrad, Selbstständigkeit, Gliederung und Struktur, Kommunikationsgrad, Umfang der Arbeit, Orthografie/Sorgfalt/Genauigkeit und Literatur.

(1) Gestaltungshöhe
Die Arbeit ist in einer klaren und für eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit üblichen Gestaltung verfasst. Durch das reduzierte Design wird die Übersichtlichkeit gefördert, und der/die Leser:in findet sich gut zurecht. Die ausgewählte Typografie ist gut lesbar, und Abbildungen sowie Tabellen unterstützen die Inhalte und veranschaulichen sie. So werden beispielsweise Inhalte wie die Markennutzenarten und -ebenen sowie der Branding-Kreislauf übersichtlich und verständlich dargestellt. Das Layout ist konsistent und sachlich gehalten.

Verbesserungsvorschlag:
Um die gestalterische Qualität weiter zu steigern, könnten hervorgehobene Absätze, stärkere Farbkontraste oder der gezielte Einsatz von Designelementen genutzt werden, um wichtige Passagen oder zentrale Erkenntnisse zu betonen.

(2) Innovationsgrad
Die Arbeit behandelt ein zeitgemäßes Thema, das für die Markenführung im Zeitalter des digitalen Wandels von hoher Relevanz ist. Der Innovationsgrad zeigt sich insbesondere durch den Methodenmix aus Literaturrecherche und Fallstudien. Felix greift bestehende Modelle (z. B. Rebranding Mix) auf und verbindet sie mit modernen Ansätzen wie Neuromarketing und Behavioral Branding. Diese Verknüpfungen präsentieren das aktuelle Thema auf eine neue Weise und steigern so den Innovationsgrad der Arbeit.

(3) Selbstständigkeit
Die Arbeit weist ein hohes Maß an Eigenständigkeit auf, das durch die eigenständige Strukturierung der Themen, die detaillierte Methodenwahl und die Integration empirischer Forschung deutlich wird. Der Aufbau und die gezielte Auswahl sowie Interpretation von Literaturquellen deuten auf eine weitgehend selbstständige Arbeit hin. Die Methodik wurde umsichtig gewählt und konsequent umgesetzt, was die Forschungskompetenz des Autors unterstreicht.

(4) Gliederung und Struktur
Die Gliederung der Arbeit ist durchdacht und logisch. Sie beginnt mit einer klar formulierten Einleitung, gefolgt von einem Literaturüberblick, der die theoretischen Grundlagen im Bereich Rebranding präzise und nachvollziehbar behandelt. Die aufeinander aufbauenden Kapitel, die von allgemeinen Branding-Aspekten über spezialisierte Rebranding-Theorien bis hin zur Empirie gehen, schaffen einen gut strukturierten „roten Faden“ für den/die Leser:in.

(5) Kommunikationsgrad
Die Arbeit ist in klarer und präziser Sprache verfasst, sodass auch fachfremde Leser:innen Zugang zu komplexen Themen finden. Fachbegriffe sind gut erklärt, und die Inhalte werden verständlich vermittelt, was den Lesefluss angenehm und nachvollziehbar gestaltet. Der Einsatz von Abbildungen und Tabellen erhöht den Kommunikationsgrad und unterstützt die Inhalte zusätzlich auf visueller Ebene.

Verbesserungsvorschlag:
Ein stärkerer Praxisbezug, etwa durch konkrete Unternehmensbeispiele und kleinere Fallanalysen neben der Hauptfallstudie, könnte den Kommunikationsgrad weiter verbessern und den Bezug zur unternehmerischen Realität noch verstärken.

(6) Umfang der Arbeit
Der Umfang ist mit über 70 Seiten plus Anhang dem akademischen Anspruch einer Masterarbeit angemessen. Die Arbeit deckt theoretische Grundlagen ausführlich ab und stellt durch die empirische Forschung einen Mehrwert dar. Zudem zeigt sie ein gutes Gleichgewicht zwischen Theorie und Praxis.

(7) Orthografie/Sorgfalt/Genauigkeit
Meiner Meinung ist die Arbeit weitgehend fehlerfrei und weist ein hohes Maß an Sorgfalt auf. Rechtschreibung und Grammatik sind fehlerfrei, und auch die wissenschaftlichen Zitate und Verweise sind korrekt und konsistent. Die Genauigkeit zeigt sich ebenfalls in der detaillierten und sorgfältig strukturierten Darstellung von theoretischen Inhalten. Zudem sind die Abbildungen gut gewählt und genau auf den Text abgestimmt.

(8) Literatur
Die Literaturgrundlage ist umfangreich und deckt relevante Aspekte der Markenführung und des Rebrandings ab. Der Autor hat auf eine Vielzahl deutscher und englischer Literaturquellen zurückgegriffen, was eine fundierte Basis für die Arbeit darstellt. Die wissenschaftliche Tiefe der Literaturrecherche ist als umfassend zu bewerten, und die Quellen decken alle wesentlichen Bereiche des Themas ab. 

Insgesamt ist die Arbeit „Erfolgreiches Rebranding einer Marke“ eine gründlich recherchierte, klar strukturierte und gut umgesetzte Masterarbeit, die einen praxisnahen Ansatz verfolgt. Die Kombination von theoretischen Grundlagen und einer Fallstudie im empirischen Teil stellt einen erheblichen Mehrwert dar, da sie den theoretischen Rahmen mit praktischen Einblicken verbindet und so die Anwendung der Rebranding-Strategien veranschaulicht.

Quelle:

  • Huber, Felix. 2022. „Erfolgreiches Rebranding einer Marke.“ Masterarbeit, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt.

Ergänzende Literatur:

  • Meffert, Heribert. 2002. Markenmanagement: Grundfragen der identitätsorientierten Markenführung; mit Best Practice-Fallstudien. 1. Auflage.
  • Frynas, Jedrzej George, und Kamel Mellahi. 2011. Global Strategic Management. 2. Auflage.
by elisa.kroiss -

21 // Evaluation of a master’s thesis

The master’s thesis I chose is from the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and was written by Aylin Celebi. The title of this thesis is “Alles nur Show?: Eine Analyse über die (Selbst)Präsentation deutscher Rapperinnen in ihren Musikvideos.” The thesis was submitted in 2019 and was supervised by Ass. Prof. Mag. Dr. Thiele.

1 // Level of design

The thesis has a very plain design. It uses only white pages and one font style throughout, with no creative layout or design elements. This simplicity might be due to university guidelines. Adding small design elements (if allowed by the guidelines) could have improved its readability and appearance.

2 // Degree of innovation

The thesis topic – examining female German rappers’ self-presentation in music videos – addresses a kind of new area within media studies, but making it relevant. The research provides new insights into how these women show their independence in a male-dominated genre by focusing on their clothing, movements, and eye contact with the camera.

3 // Independence

The author shows independence by choosing a distinct group of artists and clearly defining a unique research question. The analysis of each video also shows independent thinking, though deeper interpretations could further highlight their unique insights.

4 // Outline and structure

The outline is clear and logical, moving step-by-step through theory, methods, analysis, and conclusion. The clear separation of each artist’s style and background helps to maintain focus on the central research question, showing thoughtful structuring.

 5 // Degree of communication

The author communicates their findings effectively and the writing is formal and fits the scientific style. The language is clear and descriptive, making complex concepts like ‘objectification’ and the ‚gaze‘ accessible.

6 // Scope of the work

The scope is appropriate for a thesis, focusing on five German female rappers and their music videos – it covers each artist well. This limited selection allows for an in-depth look at each rapper’s unique portrayal choices without overextending.

7 // Orthography and accuracy

The work appears well-edited and precise and integrates Objectification Theory effectively, with its focus on sexualization and self-presentation. The language is consistently professional, and the sections logically follow each other. Minor grammatical inconsistencies do not detract from the quality of the text.

8 // Literature

The thesis uses relevant literature, and the bibliography seems quite extensive and covers a wide range of sources related to the research topic. It includes a mix of books, journal articles, online articles, and reports.

by Anna Semmelrath -

Evaluation of a Master’s Thesis

Runners High, Creating Interactive Audio Experiences for Runners

Master Theses in Sound Design by Hannes Barfuss at Zürcher Hochschule der Künste. May 2021

1. Level of Creativity

        The Author brings in a good amount of creativity in his thesis, he develops an audio-based AR app that should enhance the experience of running. He explores different areas like real time sound manipulation, spatial Audio, programming and develops a prototype.

        He measures acceleration data which puts out numbers, which should be translated into audio, and this audio should tell a ‘story of running’ through sounds and motivate the runner

        2. Degree of Innovation

        Not really knowing what the current state of research in this area is, I would say the work is innovative as he explores audio aspects of AR and he is combining it with real time sound manipulation and audio feedback which interacts with the physical state the runner is in.  Gamification of running is a field with quite a bit of research in it. The thesis shows some of the current project/applications in this field, but they all have a different approach to it.

        This project has a lot of technical challenges as it is dealing with for example latency issues and mobile deployment.

        3. Independence

        The work on this thesis seems like a lot of independent work has been done. The author made algorithms for movement detection and state recognition using for example PureData. It seems like he explored a lot of options and tools to figure out what is best for his work. He developed his own idea and supported and build it up from research. From what I grasped also a lot of problem solving had to be done.

        4. Structure

        Overall, the thesis is well structured going from the first introduction what is the goal, to research in different relevant fields to prototyping to the outcome. He gave the chapters titles in the theme as if it would be a run (from before the run, over choosing the right shoes, until stretching after). Some chapters have too many subchapters, up to seven, and some of them are just half a page long, so he could have put some subchapter together into one.

        5. Degree of Communication

        In some parts this thesis deals with quite complex technical topics. In my opinion it is written in a way that is good to understand with some technical terms explained. But in some parts where he dives a lot into details it can be hard to understand.

        6. Extent of the work

        The thesis has a big amount of work. It includes theoretical research, a technical overview of augmented reality audio, practical design and implementation, and a prototype evaluation. The areas in which he works include and combine artistic and technical aspects.

        7. Orthography and accuracy

        The work has clear documentation and citations. It seems like the author gave attention to the language used. Overall, it seems like a very well researched work.

        8. Literature

        The topic covers many different areas of research, and the thesis is written upon more than 65 sources on various relevant topics. Although it is not very clear in the literature list on first sight which kind of sources are used.