INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE: ACCESS DENIED
The Barriers You Don’t See
Access Denied is a senior thesis project focused on the challenges undocumented students face in accessing education and employment. Through a quad-fold brochure, the project translates complex policies, data, and lived experiences into clear, visual information designed to inform decision-makers and encourage action. The work highlights how design can be used as an advocacy tool to communicate systemic barriers with clarity and empathy.
Information Architecture Overview
How the brochure organizes and communicates the key topics
Map Comparison
Visualizes the different barriers faced by undocumented vs. documented students.
California Laws
Outlines state policies that shape access to education and financial aid.
UC/CSU Enrollment Data
Highlights disparities in enrollment across documented, undocumented, and DACA student groups.
Support Students
Identifies ways institutions and communities can take meaningful action.
Initial Layout Explorations
Three early layout directions exploring information hierarchy, visual flow, and the role of the comparison map in shaping the overall narrative.
Initial Layout Explorations
Three early layout directions exploring information hierarchy, visual flow, and the role of the comparison map in shaping the overall narrative.
Visual Design Direction
A quick overview of the design system that shaped the final brochure.
Color System
Yellow and dark tones establish visual hierarchy, while red and green accents communicate contrast between barriers and accessible pathways.
Map & Iconography
Route-style lines, directional cues, and caution markers visually express blocked progress and system complexity.
Typography & Layout
A clear typographic hierarchy and modular panel layout improve the readability of policy-heavy content.
Narrative Elements
Short student quotes were integrated to humanize the data and add emotional context without overwhelming the layout.
Final Outcome
In the final stage, the layout was refined to improve clarity and flow. The enrollment data and California law sections were combined into a single horizontal spread, giving both more space and improving legibility. Color adjustments to the data graphs aligned them with the visual system, while layout refinements strengthened the front cover. These changes resulted in a more cohesive and readable final brochure.
Printed Execution
