Abby Kipping is a graphic designer and artist based out of central Illinois. She is currently a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a graphic design intern for the University’s Office of Corporate Relations. Through this internship, she is responsible for creating designs that maintain and generate philanthropic relationships between companies and UIUC, one of the top research institutions in the world. Her designs are informative and compel viewers to ask questions about the things many often overlook.
A pressing issue Kipping was inspired to tackle is the low sense of confidence and responsibility that is present in young drivers and car owners. One area that contributes to this lost confidence is the insubstantial resources to teach young generations how to buy and maintain cars. Through her comprehensive interface, Otto, she has provided this resource for safely researching, buying, and maintaining cars. Her research found that 59.5% of car owners wish they knew more about their car, but felt overwhelmed by the process; Otto simplifies several key topics to encourage healthy, functional relationships and make our streets safer. Young drivers not only feel overwhelmed, but intimidated and belittled by the modern automotive industry. Otto educates these drivers to build their confidence in advocating for their physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
Kipping’s lifelong mission is to educate young generations to prevent the recurrence of issues she has faced growing up in a system that has expected her, as a woman, to remain passive and vulnerable. Through her informative design work, including Otto, she instills an important sense of self-advocacy and confidence in audiences. Following her graduation in May of 2023, she is excited to continue this work and use her talents to convey the importance of personal contemplation in exploring familiar topics.
