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Graduates
Chloe Castelli
MFA in Graphic Design - 2 Yr Path — Graduate Graphic DesignCourse:
Graduate Thesis
Faculty:
Monica Schlaug
Term:
2026 Spring
Three Story Hotel
This thesis project is a playful method for designers to learn the art of storytelling. It explores how graphic designers can construct narratives as a foundation for world-building, brought to life through a card game and brand world called Three Story Hotel.
Process:
Designed with the player experience at its core, the game guides creatives through a progressive arc. From tonal interpretation and collaborative storytelling to original brand pitching; all while integrating play as a tool within the design. AI-generated imagery was used throughout the game's visual system, and the project culminated in the development of a fully realized narrative brand world and a cinematic video.
Learning Outcomes:
Through engaging with Three Story Hotel, designers are challenged to think less like decorators and more like directors, using narrative as a primary design material. The game reframes world-building as a collaborative, iterative process, equipping creatives with the instincts to craft cohesive, dynamic narratives that can serve as the foundation for bold visual concepts and brand identities.
Project Website: