Summer - 7.8.24

I took some time to let my thesis rest in my mind, uncertain about how to move forward. As I continued to reflect on my topic of Gen Z, I began to understand why I chose it. Initially, my choice was driven by the frustration of not knowing what to do, but I realized that it was my curiosity about the unknown that truly motivated me. It's challenging to ask questions when you don't know what you need to ask, but that's part of the journey, and I am ready to move forward.

What truly sparked my interest was the concept of design thinking and understanding why certain designs appeal to people. In the Design Communication class, I teach at Fresno State, where I've been teaching for three semesters, I've noticed something intriguing each term. Each new semester brings a different group of students, yet certain core design strategies consistently emerge.

This evolving nature of design communication fascinates me, particularly in how it develops and changes over time. Most of my students fall within the Gen Z demographic, which likely influenced my focus on this age group.

My thesis specifically targets Gen Z and small businesses, focusing on the challenges of communicating with this demographic. I considered which group would have the most difficulty reaching Gen Z, and it seemed to me that small businesses trying to sell products to Gen Z face significant challenges. Many attempt to market to this demographic, but few are truly successful. What hinders their success? What are the issues they encounter?

By investigating these questions, my thesis aims to uncover the factors that influence the success of small businesses in reaching Gen Z through effective design communication.