Megan Kemptar

Rural Revitalization

I am a designer.

Thesis Statement

Revitalizing Rural Communities

People are getting older, and the younger generations are moving to college and finding out that the urban communities have way more to offer for them then the rural communities once did. Young people are not coming back to their rural hometowns because there is nothing to come back to, nothing but an old run-down bar in some of these towns. For my thesis, I am exploring how we can get these small rural communities up and thriving again. Can design help create unique spaces in rural communities? If we take these amazing small companies and give them a little face lift by combining modern cultural desires with small town rural morals will they become more appreciated by younger people?

For this exhibition, I revitalized a rural community, that has a lot to offer, but just not sure how to promote the amazing things they have. I took photographs as well as created a unique brand for 5 different companies in the small rural community of Cairo, Nebraska. Many younger people are not moving back to these amazing rural communities because they do not fit the needs of the modern lifestyle. I want to start by creating spaces that incorporate old traditions as well as bring in new traditions. I took images that captured the presence of each company, then I used those to create a brand that was unique to each one of them.

Research Thesis »

Experience

NEBCO Inc.
Photography / Marketing  Intern
Produced and executed beautiful well thought out photographs and executed them in print and web design. Took charge in editing, uploading and key wording images on a regular basis. Created graphics for print, website and social media usage that were original yet still fit within the brands identity. Content creator for the companies 20+ social media accounts.

Nebraska Game and Parks
Graphic Design Intern
Produced visual graphics for the commission’s website, social media accounts, e-mail campaigns, flier, banners, advertisements for the many parks and programs the commission has. Creating designs that were unique enough to stand out yet still fit within the brands new modern identity system. In charge of creating large banners from the design, to printing on the companies large plotter, and then adding finishing touches such as cutting and grommeting.