"Strings Attached" was a final project that I developed into a personal piece. I expanded on my previous concept (an interactive installation) to create an apparel design mockup that explores the mental strain caused by societal expectations on college students. I invited peers to write their dreams, fears, and ambitions on paper, fold them into cranes, and add quotes about common student pressures to the outside. The cranes were suspended from a faux tree, symbolizing the fragility and emotional weight of student life. Drawing on Mark Dery’s idea of “making the invisible visible,” this project aimed to visually represent the hidden struggles many students face, sparking conversation around mental health and the pressures of academia.