Theses

The Clemson Chapter of the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts publishes short critical projects and student theses exploring design, craft and process. Browse chapters below — each entry includes a short excerpt, an author card, and a quick link to read the full thesis.

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CHAPTER ONE

This research compares two common flexographic mounting systems—3M stickyback tape and the reusable tesa® Twinlock sleeve—to evaluate performance, cost, and sustainability.

About the Authors

Julia Shumaker and Madison Montgomery are 2025 graduates of Clemson University’s Graphic Communications program with strong foundations in flexography and print production. Julia’s undergraduate experience included three semesters of Phoenix Challenge, multiple internships across quality assurance, prepress, and packaging design, and serving as a Teaching Assistant for introductory Graphic Communications courses, leading to her current role as a Marketing Specialist at Sunny Days Entertainment. Madison transferred to Clemson from Converse College, where she studied studio art and marketing, and went on to serve as President of Clemson’s TAGA student chapter, participate in the Women of Flexo program, and complete internships focused on flexographic trials, training, and prepress production. Following graduation, Madison works as a Print Process Specialist at Brook + Whittle in St. Louis.

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CHAPTER TWO

In the context of the cosmetics industry, this thesis finds that visual packaging elements most strongly influence Gen Z consumers’ perceived value and willingness to pay, with additional sensory elements like scent further enhancing engagement and brand appeal.

About the Author

Laurel Kunkel is a Brand Coordinator and emerging professional blending business strategy with creative communication and design. She earned her B.S. in Business Management with honors from Clemson University and continued at Clemson to pursue an M.S. in Graphic Communications, where her academic work focused on combining business insight with visual communication skills. While a graduate student, she successfully defended her thesis on sensory experience and perceived value in cosmetics packaging. Laurel has also engaged in hands-on design and leadership experiences, such as managing a team in a packaging design project collaborating with Pangaea Brewing Co., further developing her skills in brand identity and packaging.

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CHAPTER THREE

This study introduces the Clemson GC Lab Scheduler, a MERN-based digital tool that improves efficiency, accessibility, and resource management in a high-demand university Graphic Communications lab through user-centered scheduling, administrative controls, and automated faculty approval.

About the Author

Sana Khan is a UI/UX and Web Designer with a strong foundation in graphic communications, packaging development, and digital workflow transformation. She holds a Master of Science in Graphic Communications from Clemson University, with minors in Law & Economics and Human-Centered Computing. Her work centers on designing intuitive, responsive digital experiences that reduce friction and are grounded in real user needs, often through close collaboration with developers, product teams, and global stakeholders. Having lived in three countries, Sana brings a global, empathetic perspective to her design practice, shaping accessible, scalable, and user-centered digital solutions.

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CHAPTER FOUR

This study evaluates a 10-day accelerated Graphic Communications I summer course at Clemson University and concludes that, despite a small sample size, the flexible schedule, small class format, and accelerated structure made it a valuable offering that supports student success and timely graduation.

About the Author

Wren Porter (formerly Wren Dudley) is a 2025 graduate of Clemson University, where she earned a Master of Science in Graphic Communications after completing her Bachelor of Science in the same field in 2023. Her passion for print began in high school and led her to pursue a career in commercial print, with Clemson providing the foundation to combine both print production and education. Wren completed both of her internships in the classroom and served as a Teaching Assistant and later a Graduate Assistant for the Commercial Print course. Following the completion of her master’s degree and thesis defense, she began her career as a Graphic Communications Consultant at Indexx in Greenville, South Carolina, partnering with clients to bring their commercial print projects to life.