Theses and Dissertations from UMD
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2
New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM
More information is available at Theses and Dissertations at University of Maryland Libraries.
Browse
139 results
Search Results
Item NEXTNOW: IN CONVERSATION: BODY IN SPACE(2024) Kowalski, Jerran; Kachman, Misha; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis provides a record of the lighting, video, and audio elements created for the lobby installation of the NextNOW Festival’s tenth year anniversary, produced by the University of Maryland – College Park as part of their Arts for All initiative.This thesis contains documentation from the artistic design process, installation, and production of this performance. These documents were the basis on which the design was formed. Included are research boards, notes from artistic meetings, drafting plates, published postings, and a final reflection on the production design, installation, and execution.Item Spreading the Seeds of a Solidarity Landscape: Co-creating a Biophilic Landscape and Training Curriculum in Northern Italy(2024) Christensen, Mary Elizabeth; Ruggeri, Deni; Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA); Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)A wealth of research explores the link between biophilia, access to nature, health, well-being, and quality of life (Wilson, 1984; Kellert, 1997; Louv, 2008; Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Cooper Marcus & Sachs, 2013). Drawing on this body of research, nature-based interventions employed by social work professionals promote positive connections to nature and improve health and well-being for vulnerable populations (Obeng et al., 2023; Overbey et al., 2021). This thesis explores a participatory action research project using the case study of Villaggio Solidale, a charitable co-housing community in Northern Italy. Following the use of participatory methods, including co-creation, listening, observation, and prototyping, researchers are co-designing a Solidarity Landscape and co-creating a training curriculum with community social workers and educators to integrate nature-based interventions, biophilia, and well-being into the larger ecosystem surrounding Villaggio Solidale, ensuring that the landscape will become a central tool to support community solidarity, health, and well-being.Item LUCID DREAMS: AN EXPLORATION IN IMMERSIVE INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING WITH AUGMENTED REALITY(2024) Lazar, Rashonda; Kachman, Misha; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The following thesis examines my design process and discoveries while investigating one way live performance and immersive storytelling can act as a form of augmented reality, and explores whether incorporating traditional forms of augmented reality is one way to enhance a performance and builds on the narrative agency audiences experience in immersive theater. The production opened on April 8th, 2024, in the Herman Maril Gallery at the Parren J. Mitchell Art and Sociology Building at the University of Maryland.Item Exploring The Role Of Generative Artificial Intelligence In Cultural Relevant Storytelling For Native Language Learning Among Children(2024) Nanduri, Dinesh Kumar; Marsh, Diana E; Information Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)In an era marked by the rapid disappearance of languages, UNESCO warns that nearly half of the world's linguistic heritage might soon become dormant. Despite its current health, Telugu has seen a decline in usage, reduced focus in India's educational systems, and overshadowing by dominant global languages. This thesis explores Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to counter this trend, focusing on its application in native language learning for children, key carriers of their ancestral tongues. Through scoping reviews and participatory design sessions with young Telugu-speaking learners and their guardians, the study investigates GenAI's role in enhancing language learning tailored to individual and cultural contexts. It highlights storytelling as a potent mechanism for language acquisition, facilitated by GenAI's ability to personalize learning experiences and bridge generational gaps. The research also addresses ethical considerations vital for designing GenAI tools, promoting inclusivity, bias mitigation, and cultural integrity protection. It showcases a future where technology helps prevent linguistic dormancy and empowers children to celebrate human language and cultural diversity.Item MEN ON BOATS: A DESIGN EXPEDITION TO BRING THE NATURAL WONDERS OF THE GRAND CANYON TO THE STAGE A SCENIC DESIGN(2024) Mosier, Gavin Edward; Chandrashaker, Amith; Keefe, Maura; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis describes the scenic design process for the University of Maryland’s production of Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus. Men on Boats was directed by KenYatta Rogers and Elena Velasco. This production was produced by the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies within the College of Arts and Humanities at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in the Ina & Jack Kay Theatre. The following materials in this thesis were used as tools to convey the scenic design to the directors, fellow design collaborators, production team members, production shops, crew members, and actors: research images, sketches, photographs of ¼” scale color neutral and color models, drafting packet, paint elevations, a properties list, a properties book. Also included in this thesis are production photographs and written reflections of the entire process - from page to stage.Item SYNERGIZING SHADOWS AND SCREENS: LIGHTING AND MEDIA DESIGN FOR A BICYCLE COUNTRY(2024) Garcia, Luis M; Mezzocchi, Jared; Chandrashaker, Amith; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The following thesis explores the artistic ideas, concepts, design process, and execution of Luis Manuel Garcia’s lighting and media design for the University of Maryland - College Park’s production of A Bicycle Country. The production opened Friday, November 10th, 2023 in the Kogod Theatre at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. A Bicycle Country was written by Nilo Cruz, with direction by Fatima Quander, scenic design by Sofía Olivar, costume design by Becca Janney, and sound design by Justin Schmitz.Item THE PROM: AN EXPLORATION OF THE MUSICAL THEATRE DESIGN PROCESS(2024) Henrriquez, Christian Douglas; Chandrashaker, Amith; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis outlines the lighting design process for The Prom, performed at the University of Maryland’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies in September 2023. It outlines the process from initial thoughts, collaborating with the creative team, budgeting, creating technical paperwork, cueing, and technical rehearsals, culminating with the opening night. The paper contains documents and images detailing the process with an evaluation and reflection.Item Denoising the Design Space: Diffusion Models for Accelerated Airfoil Shape Optimization(2024) Diniz, Cashen; Fuge, Mark D; Mechanical Engineering; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Generative models offer the possibility to accelerate and potentially substitute parts of the often expensive traditional design optimization process. We present Aero-DDM, a novel application of a latent denoising diffusion model (DDM) capable of generating airfoil geometries conditioned on flow parameters and an area constraint. Additionally, we create a novel, diverse dataset of optimized airfoil designs that better reflects a realistic design space than has been done in previous work. Aero-DDM is applied to this dataset, and key metrics are assessed both statistically and with an open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver to determine the performance of the generated designs. We compare our approach to an optimal transport GAN, and demonstrate that our model can generate designs with superior performance statistically, in aerodynamic benchmarks, and in warm-start scenarios. We also extend our diffusion model approach, and demonstrate that the number of steps required for inference can be reduced by as much as ~86%, compared to an optimized version of the baseline inference process, without meaningful degradation in design quality, simply by using the initial design to start the denoising process.Item Men on Boats: A Lighting Design(2024) Laverty, Christina Kouni; Chandrashaker, Amith; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This thesis provides written and visual documentation of the lighting design process for Jaclyn Backhaus’ play Men on Boats, produced by the University of Maryland, College Park’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies. The production opened on March 1, 2024, and had six performances. This paper details dramaturgical analysis, research, the design process, technical documents, performance photographs, and reflections.Item TRANSITIONING VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS TO UTILIZE ACCESSIBILITY TECHNOLOGY(2024) Jo, Hyejin; Reitz, Galina; Library & Information Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)In a world increasingly driven by visual information, this research develops the Transition Experience Interface (TEI), dedicated to supporting individuals adapting to visual impairments with advanced accessibility technologies. TEI features a user-centric design with a mobile user interface that includes tutorials, updates on new features, a voice command guide, and a progress dashboard. These components aim to reduce dependency on visual cues, enhancing digital inclusivity and promoting independence by encouraging the use of built-in accessibility features on smartphones. TEI educates users on their devices’ capabilities and fosters habitual use of these features, preparing them to rely less on vision and more on voice commands and other settings. This proactive approach helps users operate their smartphones confidently and independently as their visual function changes, bridging the gap between traditional tools and user needs, and highlighting the potential of inclusive design.