A Space for Passion Projects & Creative Curiosity
This page is filled with projects outside of client or portfolio work. Some were for class, others were ways to explore what I love, what I’m curious about, and what I just felt like creating.
I wrote an article about thrifting and sustainability—and it got published!
Read the full piece, featured by Volume One Eau Claire, below.
TikTok Algorithm Research Project
Where Personalization Meets Privacy
As part of a semester-long honors research project in marketing, I explored how TikTok’s algorithm works, why it’s so effective at personalization, and what it means for digital privacy. My research pulled from academic studies, industry news, and online sources, and concluded with a 25-minute presentation of findings to faculty and peers.
Conducted formal academic research over the course of a semester
Presented findings to students and faculty in a 25-minute final presentation
Nominated by my advisor to present at faculty-selected research session of university’s research conference, known for showcasing standout student work to the largest audience
Also nominated for the university’s Outstanding Spring Marketing Graduate Award
Take a look at the full slide deck I created and presented at the end of the semester.
I’ve dabbled in taking some senior photos for friends!
Portrait of a Place in Trash
What would your city’s trash collage look like?
A photographic collage capturing the littered remains of everyday life in Eau Claire.
As someone who’s always tried to do my part for the environment, I couldn’t help but notice how much trash was regularly littered around Eau Claire. It made me wonder—if every piece were collected and turned into a collage, what would it say about this place? And how would it compare to somewhere like New York or Chicago?
This photo series began as a class project and evolved into a visual commentary. Some collages were physically arranged and photographed as-is, while others were built digitally using individual images of collected pieces. Every item was picked up around Eau Claire, documented, and then properly recycled—part creative exploration, part environmental care.
Here is the full photo series from ‘Found in a College Town,’ a project that explores the city Eau Claire through what was littered around it.
Faith Kierzek 