Graduate Capstones and Terminal Projects

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Open Access
Performance guide on two Chinese contemporary piano solo works "The Willows are New" by Chou Wen-Chung and "Numa Ame" by Zhang Zhao”
(University of Oregon, 2024-11) Shi, ChangQing;
This lecture document examines two contemporary Chinese piano works: Chou Wen-chung’s The Willows Are New and Zhang Zhao’s Numa Ame. The Willows Are New draws inspiration from Guqin and Wang Wei’s farewell poem 'Yang Kuan", blending pentatonic scales and dynamic nuances to evoke traditional aesthetics. Numa Ame explores the cultural heritage of the Hani people, incorporating their folk music and traditions. Both works demonstrate a synthesis of cultural inspiration and innovative compositional techniques.
Open Access
Louise Thái Thị Lang’s Fêtes du Têt: a musical representation of Vietnamese culture
(University of Oregon, 2024-08) Nguyễn, Tùng Anh;
Louise Thái Thị Lang was the first Vietnamese composer-performer to achieve an international reputation with the premiere of her piece Fêtes du Têt in Salle Pleyel, Paris, 1953. Even though she performed extensively in the 1950s and 1960s, Louise Thái Thị Lang’s works are virtually unknown to international and Vietnamese audiences, scholars, and musicians. My research will focus on the composer’s most significant piece - Fêtes du Têt – in terms of analytical, ethnomusicological, and anthropological study to offer a better picture of the composer’s biography, to prove the importance of her works in the Vietnamese classical music scene, and to realize the composer’s effort as a cultural ambassador representing Vietnam through her music. I hypothesize that the absence of her works after the 1950s was a direct consequence of the Vietnam War from 1954 to 1975 and partly because of the misinterpretation from Western critics and audiences about Vietnamese culture. I envision my research will prompt further studies about Vietnamese classical music in general and this composer in particular. Consequently, pianists will start to include her works in their repertoire.
Open Access
Vinotok: Myth and Community
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Keith, Jessie
The research topic of my terminal project is Vinotok, an autumn equinox festival that takes place annually in the small town of Crested Butte, Colorado. Vinotok is a curious festival in that it wasn’t formally begun until the mid-80s, but draws upon older traditions, myths, stories, rituals, and community activities—from the Gunnison Valley it rests in all the way to the European (mostly northern and western) countries the festival creators and participants are descended from. These roots, how they are reclaimed and reworked, and the community involvement in the festival are all elements that became magnified and emphasized during my fieldwork. As a result of this research, I created a feature-length documentary film, as well as this accompanying written piece. The documentary is to be kept in the Randall V. Mills Folklore Archive here at the University of Oregon, gifted back to community members who were a part of the research, and hosted online (making it more easily accessible for viewing). The goal of this written component of the project is to illuminate folkloric aspects of the festival and examine how those aspects shape and are shaped by the community. I will first present the lines of inquiry, project objectives, and methodology. Then, I will provide a general account of the festival and go on to examine its connections to heritage, spirituality, and folklore scholarship. A reflection on the project as a whole will conclude this work.
Open Access
Designing Footwear for Adventure Travel Photographers in Diverse Warm Weather Environments
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Carhuff, Daniel
This thesis aims to bring unlimited freedom and maximum performance to those that seek to capture the spirit of adventure through photography in warm weather environments while minimizing their environmental footprint. It will accomplish this by designing a collection of products that let adventurers do more with less and go anywhere their feet can take them. A range of versatile footwear that can seamlessly transition between the airplane cabin, jungle floor, desert dunes, and urban promenade made with sustainable, performance driven materials will accomplish these goals. How could we maximize freedom of exploration for adventure photographers during travel to and within rugged warm weather environments while minimizing gear and environmental impact? This thesis aims to find a balance between efficient travel and ample gear, high performance and high protection, as well as maximized environmental adaptability and minimum environmental impact. There are always sacrifices to be made when seeking adventure, and it is the goal of this thesis to optimize and even eliminate some of those sacrifices to best prepare the most ambitious adventure travel photographers. A cohesive system of modular footwear focusing on two soles and three uppers should adapt to the needs of the most demanding travelers.
Open Access
Kofa: A Soccer Cleat Designed for The Female Athlete
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Prempeh, Maxwell A.
Many women find themselves playing in cleats designed to accommodate men’s movements. This has led to a surge of injuries in the lower extremities for women in football that includes ligaments strains and tears in the knees, ankles, and feet. Black women playing at historically black colleges and universities suffer largely from being unsupported, overlooked, and overwhelmingly underfunded. As a result, these institutions find themselves being incapable of replacing damaged cleats for players who are unable to afford new ones, leading them to play in footwear that not only isn’t made for them but, now puts both their health and performance at risk.This research paper will address the designing of cleats that aim to mitigate lower extremity injuries in women’s soccer, while also addressing the sport from a socioeconomic standpoint regarding the lack of diversity and representation in the game. The goal is to address this issue on a foundational level in hopes of seeing this minority continue to make their impacts felt on the highest level.
Open Access
Glide Runner: Laugavegur Trail Running Outfit Designed to Finish the Race Fast and Safely
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Thorgrimsson, Kristofer
‟A Decade of Fitness”, is the title of an article posted on The New York Times website in December 2019. It outlines the major increase that has occurred in the physical activity of the public for the past decade and even longer. Every year, an abundance of studies are published listing the benefits of physical activity for health and longevity. People have caught on and have started to spend more time walking, jogging, weight training, swimming, biking, hiking et cetera in the hope of increasing their health and being able to spend more time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their old age (Reynolds, 2019). This trend can be seen in the expansion of trail running. And with more people frequently training and competing in trail running, the need for specialized trail running garments and equipment has increased. Every trail is unique and comes with its own set of challenges while all trail running products on the market are generic. The purpose of this paper is to research how that might be changed with the design of a specific trail running outfit for the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon, one of the most popular trail running competition in Iceland (IBR, n.d.). The scope of this project has been summarized into one problem statement. How could a competition outfit help elite male trail runners finish the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon in a shorter time by improving running economy, carry necessary equipment and keep them safe in case of sudden change in weather?
Open Access
Women's Fastpitch Softball: Ankle Sprain Preventing Footwear and Protective Battling Gloves
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Everill, Kylie
I am a function forward designer with experience in biomechanics, fashion design, coaching and collegiate athletics. I have a passion for creating products that allow athletes to reach their highest potential through injury prevention and performance innovations. My top five strengths from the Clifton Strengths Finder are as follows, with definitions summarized (Gallup, 2022). Individualization: intrigued with the unique qualities of each person, passionate about meeting people at different stages of their process and seeing ways to improve things for each individual rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.Empathy: able to intuitively share others’ perspectives, connect to and understand people’s stories and experiences, capable of anticipating the needs of others. Ideation: fascinated with ideas, innate ability to connect the dots between seemingly disconnected phenomena. Strategic: able to quickly spot patterns and potential downfalls, easily create progress in alternative ways, capable of seeing solutions that many cannot. Positivity: contagiously enthusiastic, able to bring energy to projects where it may be difficult to muster, making everything a little bit more exciting.
Open Access
Circulation and Thermoregulation for Female Snowboarders: An Analysis of Female Specific Needs for Snow Footwear
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Tong, Alyssa J.
My mission is to enable people to connect with the outdoors, allowing individuals to cultivate meaningful experiences in nature. I create thoughtful designs that prioritize the intended user’s needs. My designs focus on the people behind the sport, not just the sport itself. They allow users to develop respect for nature and foster a deep connection between the two.
Open Access
Immersion Suits for Alaskan Commercial Fishermen: An Analysis of Marine Survival Equipment
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Lemus, Benjamen
Being a commercial fisherman in Alaska is considered one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Every year the Bering Sea provides between 5-6 billion pounds of seafood, accounting for about 60% of total U.S. seafood harvests (Capozzi, n.d.-a). Catching this amount of seafood every year is no easy task, and it comes with an enormous amount of risk for the thousands of workers who participate. Workers are often at sea for weeks at a time and safety isn’t guaranteed, with the Bering Sea claiming 88 souls from 2013-2022 (Beacon,2023). Many of the deaths on commercial fishing boats are caused by vessel losses, and men going overboard with improper equipment leading to drownings (Woodford, USCG, 2022). Fishermen risk their lives in this industry to try and fulfill the demand for seafood throughout the country, therefore they should be equipped with superior safety protection equipment that will ensure their safety.
Open Access
Equipping Pemon Adventure Guides in Canaima National Park with High-Performing Footwear and Headwear that Promote Culture, Commerce, and Safety
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Valeri, Sara
Globally, specialized gear is required for tour guides in any national park to successfully guide visitors to adventurous new places. This is even more important for the native guides in Canaima National Park, which is one of the most challenging in terms of changing climates and environments. As important carriers of culture and knowledge of this land, the Pemon guides play the most important role of guiding and creating harmony between the visitor and nature. The role of being the native tour guide goes beyond just a monetary endeavor. It expands to finding a way for their culture and identity to exist in the present day. It also ensures their place in this ecosystem as guardians of this sacred park. However, most Pemon guides wear inadequate gear when navigating these terrains. This affects how they can execute their job and complete each task when walking, hiking, wading, and canoeing on their journey to Angel Falls. The jungle crossings can be the most challenging; as avid climber Gary Flint supports in his description of his journey to Angel Falls; the jungle path can be a full-body workout. They passed over terrains filled with overgrown tree roots, narrow log bridges that go over gullies, and some water-filled pits. Moreover, as the inclination of the assent increases, the whole body must be used, making this the most challenging path to transverse (Flint, Notes from the Lost World: Venezuela - secret compass 2023). Furthermore, it is problematic that the Pemon guides mainly prioritize comfort in their gear, given their current product choices on the market. By choosing convenience over function, they fail to have shoes that can enhance their overall performance in their journey through the jungle. They currently choose to wear running shoes for their cushioning and support. However, these do not provide adequate traction, stability, or adaptability for Canaima's ever-changing terrains and climates. A balanced and specialized offering must be designed to combine the best of their met and unmet needs. Moreover, they carry a dry bag with them sponsored by the lodges they work for; in this bag, they usually carry first aid kits, change of clothes, towels, and additional food. But it becomes hard to juggle everything together when they have to be drenched in water all day. Nevertheless, the products currently used can be enhanced to provide protection and enable them to be always comfortable and clear of any distractions that can drastically change the course of the expedition. This especially applies when navigating the water rapids and having to walk in the river to help the canoe, as well as crossing roots and waterfalls, as this can compromise the safety of each of the tourists and the overall success of their journey. Overall, the Pemon tour guides need fast-drying and weatherproof equipment that will not sacrifice comfort over function, adapting to the many challenges they can quickly face in Canaima National Park's varied and dynamic environments. Additionally, their gear is needed to help them succeed in providing the safest and most memorable experience to the visitor, the success of which goes hand in hand with their identity and the preservation of their culture.
Open Access
Backcountry Ski Equipment for Courses That Cover More Distance Than Elevation
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-14) Waits, Joe
The user I am designing for ski tours on courses with more distance than elevation gain. They ski in places such as the northern Midwest, Alaska, Colorado, or eastern Canada. These are all places that are cold enough to receive snow. The places this user tends to recreate are large landscapes that can feature mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes. While the user might live near mountains or not near mountains, they seek out flatter terrain in hopes of traversing the landscape and covering long distances. Backcountry skiing is a large industry in the United States. According to the Sierra Sun, “SnowSports Industries America estimates that there are more than six million backcountry riders in the United States” (Absolon, 2023). These users are advanced to expert skiers who enjoy exploring beyond the boundary of the ski resort. The user has experience skiing and might have experience backcountry skiing in larger mountains. They follow the general trend of the growth of backcountry skiing. Backcountry skiing is the fastest growing segment in skiing (Rosalsky, 2020).
Open Access
Financially Affordable Helmet Add-On Concussion Prevention in High School Football
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-13) Bunker, Sky
Football is one of the largest sports in the United States of America. From the popularity of the National Football League and College Football, down to high school and youth football, the sport is the center of attention during the fall season year in and year out. With all this interest in the sport however, comes the increased awareness in the issues the sport brings, most notably, the risk of head injury and concussions. Concussions can be defined as “a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.” (CDC, 2019). These brain injuries have become very common in football with roughly 300,000 occurring from football each year (UCLA, 2021). While positive strides have been made in helmet innovation to help counteract this issue and make the game safer, there is still more work to be done to protect players. This project will explore how to develop a financially affordable football helmet add-on technology that helps decrease the risk of concussions in high school football, facilitating comprehensive protection for each player and allowing anyone to participate.
Open Access
PACT Travel Golf Equipment and Apparel
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-13) Edwards, Vic
Golf, for those who don’t play, is a very misunderstood game. Often perceived as high class or even pretentious, but golf is more than that. It’s a game where athletes are consistently pushing for better shots, lower scores, and improved experiences on the course. The perfect or “pure” golf shot is something that every golfer hopes to experience and works towards on every shot. The pure shot moment is an instantaneous revelation that unfolds effortlessly, solid and serene, and unveils the perfect golf experience. It is a mental euphoria that ignites the obsession to repeat the moment, a desire that grows with each successful shot. Golf is a sport that requires dedication and precision dependent solely on the player, and the “pure” shot is the goal that drives the addiction to consistently play better. Players often begin with their local courses when learning, but after time the desire grows to conquer new courses and thus destination golf begins. Players travel to scenic courses all over the world to experience new challenges, beautiful courses, and have a fun time with friends. Many famous courses are also a bucket-list item for golfers, with rich golf-histories that players want to experience and be a part of. Destination golf is much more than trying a new course, it’s a new experience, a new challenge, and a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
Open Access
Cork 12L Freeride World Tour Snow Safety Airbag Pack and Airbag Vest
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-13) Karow, Ryan M.
Freeride skiing and snowboarding represent a recent evolution in extreme snow sports, embracing a diverse range of competitive disciplines. The Freeride World Tour stands as the pinnacle of competition for the most daring Freeride skiers and snowboarders, displaying their unparalleled skill, creativity, and style on some of the world's most challenging terrain. To meet the demands of such high-level performance, there is an urgent call for innovation to elevate the quality of equipment, as current offerings often fall short of expectations. Each year around fifty top competing riders qualify for this intense competition and compete internationally at four to six stops with the ultimate goal of qualifying for finals in Verbier, Switzerland, the final stop of the tour (WE ARE THE HOME OF FREERIDE, n.d.). With this extreme level of riding comes the highest level of consequences. One bad fall and riders can tumble down 50° slopes over cliff bands, rock faces, and cause huge avalanche that can bury them. To combat these risks, riders are now required to use back protectors, avalanche airbags, helmets, and other avalanche gear at a minimum, to protect against these hazards. Each of these products perform well but not in conjunction with each other. To embrace the fluidity of movement, the elevated stakes, the ever-present threat of avalanches, and address the existing issues of system integration, there's an imperative demand for a fresh line of safety equipment tailored for freeride skiers and snowboarders. This innovation is crucial to not only safeguard riders but also enhance their performance and overall enjoyment. This research explores, substantiates, and proposes innovative solutions for backcountry skiing avalanche airbag packs and vests.
Open Access
From Mines to Miles: Revitalizing Communities from a Post-Industrial Landscape to a Recreation Area
(University of Oregon, 2024-06-08) Phillips, Sarah
This project looks at the possibility of mined landscapes remediated into adaptive reuse spaces to provide equitable recreation opportunities for growing communities. These sites are a relic of time, and we can deploy placemaking and placekeeping practices to ensure the history of the site is not forgotten, and the character of these spaces are transformed for future generations. As a case study for one of those communities, Central Oregon should take into consideration its recreation economy and revitalize a previously strip - mined site as a new recreation park for its diametrically growing communities. This method of remediation of the Lower Bridge Mine will be broken into three phases: first, remediation through traditional ecological knowledge practices i ncluding crescent berms, branching on - contour swales, and trinchera dry stone masonry check dams. Second, creating a phyto - stabilization high desert planting plan and activation of a seedbank on the site will reduce the harmful effects of the mining indust ry. Finally, a monitoring program to ensure placemaking and placekeeping techniques are deployed for a successful project. By transforming a wasteland into an enjoyable and habitable site there could be a perceived illusion that the past has been erased, b ut through signage and other remnant relics the history of the site and the lessons learned in remediation will not be forgotten. In conclusion, the site can become a case study for placemaking and placekeeping practices for future mine remediation to crea te adaptable landscapes.
Open Access
When I Dream I See Real Things
(University of Oregon, 2024-06) Lee, Sydney
My terminal project, When I Dream I See Real Things, focuses on large-scale quilts installed on the wall as a reference to painting. These quilts are fully functional as domestic objects but are rendered non-functional through installation methods. I am questioning the divide between craft and fine art by looking at both traditional textile craftswomen and minimalist painters from the 20th century. The functional quilted works are shown in tandem with large, arch-shaped textile collages set into handmade wooden frames that mimic the shape of the composition. The arch-shaped diptych negates the wall quilts' functionality by utilizing the same basic materials but acting as a purely visual object rather than a utilitarian domestic tool. The inclusion of both functional and non-functional painterly objects ties to my desire to blur the lines between craft and fine art by using both languages of painting and quilting.
Open Access
Seeds Sense Place: Reconciling Access and Cultivation at Howard Buford Recreation Area
(University of Oregon, 2024-06) Cummings, Tressa
This project investigates the potential impact of universal access infrastructure on stewardship and the cultivation of native plant material at Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA). The Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, a non - profit organization, manages a native plant nursery within the park . This nursery sources seeds from the park and nurtures them to increase the availability of native seeds for restoration efforts. With ongoing universal access trail improvements scheduled for summer 2024 in the landscape surrounding the nursery , this project explores how the form and materiality of th at trail can delineate area s of heightened stewardship . These areas function as wild sources of desired plants and as traditional landscape design which f rames visitor experience , bring an experience of greater ecological richness to visitors of all abilities.
Open Access
Extended Engagement: A Novel Approach to Sustained Relationships with Designed Landscapes
(University of Oregon, 2024-06) Phares, Holly H.
Most landscape architects rarely continue to engage with sites after the formal completion of a project, and thus are typically unaware of the long-term outcomes that result from natural and human-centric processes of change. Because of this, they forfeit their ability to guide those changes, as well as valuable feedback on the design and management decisions that were made. While others in the field have previously advocated for designers to expand their relationships with completed sites, few if any sources address the systemic barriers that make this difficult or offer actionable suggestions on how such barriers could be overcome. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many in the field are already interested in the long-term outcome of projects, but that efforts to “keep in touch” often become unpaid work on the part of designers. This paper introduces “extended engagement” as a new conceptual framework that advocates for a holistic approach to the relationship between designers and designed spaces over the lifespan of the project. It details a study that used interviews and surveys to explore landscape designers’ interest in tracking long-term site outcomes, as well as their current and desired levels of participation in extended engagement activities. Finally, it suggests actions that individuals and organizations could take to make extended engagement a more meaningful part of professional practice in contemporary landscape architecture.
Open Access
Incorporating Aural-Centered Teaching With Traditional Piano Pedagogy: An Adaptive Approach to the Faber Method
(University of Oregon, 2024-06) Um, Dasol;
The world of piano pedagogy is rich with diverse methodologies, each crafted by pedagogues with distinct teaching philosophies. These methods have been the subject of extensive study and debate among piano teachers, highlighting the importance of selecting an approach that aligns with one's instructional beliefs. Among the prominent methodologies are the Orff Schulwerk, Kodaly, Dalcroze, and Suzuki methods, which utilize auditory and kinesthetic techniques in group settings to foster musical learning in young children. In contrast, home studio piano pedagogy, exemplified by methods like Faber, places a strong emphasis on visual-centered learning. While Faber, like other traditional piano methods, provides comprehensive instruction and a diverse repertoire, there is potential for enhancing its effectiveness through strategic alignment with child development principles, particularly in the realm of auditory learning. This project aims to explore innovative! approaches to integrate aural-centered teaching methods into the Faber curriculum, enhancing the musical education of early school-age students.
Open Access
Rural Flush: Harnessing Multifunctional Constructed Wetlands to Play a Winning Hand in Blue River, OR.
(University of Oregon, 2024-06) Meyer, Ted
This project applies a new model for rural wastewater treatment in Blue River, an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon. Blue River’s destruction in the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire created both a legal imperative to modernize the community’s sanitation and an opportunity to rethink rural wastewater treatment. The model combines basic mechanical primary treatment with extensive secondary treatment by constructed wetlands. Replacing mechanical secondary treatment processes with constructed wetlands considerably reduces the operating costs of centralized sanitation, lowering a critical barrier to treating wastewater offsite in low-population areas of the United States. Constructed wetlands additionally restore threatened habitats and provide recreational opportunities, making them dynamic community assets. The efficacy of treatment wetlands have been widely demonstrated in research and practice worldwide, and are beginning to be adapted in the United States. Landscape architects are uniquely suited to act as ‘aesthetic ambassadors’ for this intervention, which can provide a sustainable and affordable model for rural wastewater treatment.

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