The "Signs of Merit" project, created in collaboration with Lily Vermilya as part of a Service and Research Design class with Professor Herb Peterson, involved designing a set of merit badges that celebrate the unique qualities and values of an individual, emphasizing the visualization of their "unknown merit." Through human-centered empathy, design research, and problem-solving, the project translated abstract concepts into a cohesive system of badges. The final deliverables included digital designs and physical mockups, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to research-driven design and symbolic storytelling.
These badges were designed for Anne Greeley, Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Art + Design at Indiana Wesleyan University. We presented them in a hand-bound book created by Lily, and through every design, our goal was to honor Anne and her significant contributions to both the academic and creative fields.
You can shop Lily's hand-bound journals on her Etsy shop, ReclaimedLibrary.
