The Conversation House
Description
The Conversation House is a social campaign and interactive exhibition that is designed to help foster community and promote vulnerability among college students at Anderson University, SC. Developed by the Design for Social Value junior design cohort, the campaign addresses the challenge of cultivating authentic connections in a world where deep vulnerability can be difficult to navigate. Through community research and partnerships, the cohort crafted a three-week campaign and a weekend-long exhibition that invited students at Anderson University to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Project Type
Social Campaign Design | Brand Identity | User Experience Design | Product Design | Social Media Management | Product DesignDeliverables
Social Media Content, Posters, Photography, Tangible Ephemera, ExhibitionSoftware
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, FigmaCollaboration
Anderson University Art + Design Graphic Design Junior CohortRole
Branding Team, Communication Team, Social Campaign Designer + Photographer
The Process and Research Phase
During the research phase of this project, our cohort utilized the whiteboards in the studio to collaboratively decide on a topic, divergently think by creating mind-maps, and then convergently think to funnel down our ideas into a clear direction. From here we broke into different groups to accomplish our goals.
In the design process, each team conducted test prints and went through several rounds of ideation to refine the end products. With each phase, our cohort made thoughtful design choices to ensure that our final product effectively met the needs of our intended target audience, while staying aligned with our core objectives.
The Social Campaign
To build anticipation for The Conversation House exhibition, the Design for Social Value junior cohort launched a three-week social campaign on Instagram and throughout the Anderson University campus. This campaign strived to spark curiosity and initiate conversations around community and vulnerability, drawing attention to the upcoming event. Through a mix of Instagram posts, reels, and stories, we connected with our target audience—college students at Anderson University. In tandem with the digital campaign, physical conversation boxes were placed in high-traffic areas on campus, inviting students to submit anonymous, personal responses to questions about the community. These responses were then incorporated into both the social campaign and the exhibition, helping to bridge the gap between online engagement and in-person interaction.
The Exhibition
The Conversation House, held at the Chiquola Studios Gallery in downtown Anderson, SC, provided an inviting and vulnerable space for Anderson University students to engage in authentic connection. The exhibition guided attendees through the stages of a meaningful conversation, which included listening, asking, checking in, and connecting. These stations equip attendees with the tools to foster deeper connections beyond the exhibit. The non-linear layout encouraged interaction with both friends and strangers, whether it is through listening to recorded student stories, using conversation cards to spark discussions, or reflecting in the connection space. Upon arrival, attendees received gallery guide zines that unfolded into a branded poster, prompting them to introduce themselves on a collaborative sticky note wall. The experience also included a "Check-In" section, where guests could anonymously rate how they were feeling that day, as well as large posters showcasing student responses from the social campaign. The exhibit culminated in a cozy Connect space where guests could relax with a warm beverage, reflecting on their conversations and connections.
Reflection
The social campaign and the exhibition were very well responded to. The social campaign sparked conversations that may not have happened and got students interested to see what it was leading up to at the exhibition. By using the response cards, we were able to gain a better understanding of how students on campus felt about the topics that were being discussed. During the exhibition, viewers we able to connect with friends on a deeper level, as well as get to know new people It was a time well spent investing in community with others and was very well received as a whole.
Exhibition documentation by Mateo de los Cobos