Date

9-17-2026

Department

School of Communication and the Arts

Degree

Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA)

Chair

Edward Green

Keywords

Graphic Design, Human-Centered Design, Mental Health Communication, Generation Z, Visual Communication, Culturally Responsive Design, Global Mental Health, Digital Mental Health, User Experience Design, HUE

Disciplines

Art and Design

Abstract

There is a lot of information about mental health available today. However, for Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, the information proves both challenging to find and difficult to understand. The World Health Organization and other global groups publish a lot of information about mental health inequality, treatment gaps, and workforce shortages. However, this information is usually presented in dense, technical formats that are not meant for young people who are not experts. Many digital mental health tools, on the other hand, don’t give young people the emotional connection, cultural relevance, and visual clarity they need to deal with their mental health. This disconnection between understanding and awareness is the main issue of this thesis.

This research investigates how design can be used as a tool to improve global mental health communication for Generation Z. Through a comprehensive literature review, multiple case studies, and in-depth visual analyses, this thesis examines how mental health has been shaped by history, culture, global policy, and digital media. The study also analyzes successful data-driven storytelling projects to understand how complex information can be communicated in ways that are both clear and emotionally meaningful. Together, these research methods show where current mental health communication systems fail and what criteria are necessary for more human-centered approaches. The findings of this research lay a foundation for developing visual communication solutions that prioritize clarity, empathy, accessibility, and cultural awareness. Rather than proposing a solution in this phase, this thesis uses research to define the problem space and prepare for the development of future design deliverables. Ultimately, this project aims to bridge the gap between global mental health data and personal understanding, using design to help Generation Z engage with mental health information in a more meaningful, supportive, and relatable way.

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