FutureBound: Your Future, Your Way is a project that was recognized, researched and tested within the community of Rochester, NY during my interim at Rochester Institute of Technology for my Master’s of Fine Arts in 2020.

The Problem:

There is a massive displacement of children raised and educated within inner-city school systems that do not properly prepare youth for their future as adults. 

Inner-city education systems are notorious for being subpar in preparing their students for the future. While this is not the fault of the educators, only so much can be achieved when there are exceedingly few resources to be harvested. This is the basis that is responsible for a massive displacement of children who are raised in the viscous conditions associated with minority and low socioeconomic status ,who are under the impression that they are required to follow one certain path that has been paved prior. Future Bound is a social movement that will serve as a public service announcement for anyone who may be struggling to connect with the traditional path of education, and to educate an entire generation of students about the idea that they have the option to make choices about their futures that are unique to their circumstances and desires.

My thesis project is designed to help me establish a connection between children and the reality of their futures. There are two primary functions: to connect with a generation based on their cultural cues; to spread information about alternative forms of education, rather than traditional university, with said generation.

Despite the fact that this was researched and produced from 2018 to 2020, the problem still persists today.

The Solution:

To find where the underlying issues existed. Within the bounds of the underfunded educational system in Rochester, NY, as well as across the country, information to what options fresh high school graduates was limited. I created an advertising campaign and informational website to present other viable options to those who may not fit cleanly into the collegiate pipeline.

These options include, but are not limited to external funding through grants and scholarships, state schools, in states where tuition is free so long as you provide civil service following the completion of your degree, community colleges, and vocational or trade schools. My focus within this campaign was trade and/or vocational schooling.

The following is the collection of adverts, web and social media campaigns, and physical products.

Adverts:

A downloadable comprehensive study, including all research and iterations, is available here.