Appalachian State University senior Teagan Jones has always found inspiration in the natural world. As an Honors College student majoring in Apparel Design and Merchandising with a minor in Sustainable Development, Jones has spent her undergraduate years exploring the intersection of creativity, ecology, and community impact. Her thesis project—an innovative study of sustainable fiber arts as a form of “quiet activism”—brings those passions together in a compelling and local way.
Originally a native of North Carolina, Jones describes the region’s creeks, forests, and rich biodiversity as her creative foundation. “I’m always inspired by nature, especially the unique local ecology,” she explains. “The micro‑ecosystems here are incredibly vibrant. Spending time outdoors is what fuels my work.”
That connection to place became the heart of her honors thesis, which examines how fiber arts can serve as a small‑scale, sustainable alternative to traditional environmental activism. Through embroidery and other fiber‑based techniques, Jones creates pieces that spotlight local species and landscapes threatened by climate change and pollution. Her goal is to translate global environmental concerns into tangible, community‑centered conversations. Prior to her thesis, she worked as Undergraduate Research Assistant with Dr. Degirmencioglu, her honors thesis advisor, and explored the local wool fiber supply chain in the Blue Ridge mountains.
Dr. Nimet Degirmencioglu and Teagan Jones
“Fiber art has a long history of storytelling, resistance, and cultural expression,” Jones writes in her research. “By using these methods, I hope to highlight the environmental changes happening right here in our region and encourage people to see climate issues through a more personal, place‑based lens.”
Her embroidered works depict specific plants, waterways, and habitats across Western North Carolina—each chosen for its ecological significance and vulnerability. The pieces are intentionally intimate in scale, inviting viewers to slow down, look closely, and consider their own relationship to the natural world.
Jones’ research also explores the historical roots of fiber arts, including their ties to marginalized communities, social movements, and the Arts and Crafts era’s return to handmade practices. By situating her work within this lineage, she positions fiber arts not only as a creative medium but as a powerful tool for environmental awareness and community engagement.
As she prepares to graduate, Jones hopes to continue blending design, sustainability, and advocacy in her future work. “My goal is to create art and apparel that honors the environment and encourages others to care for the places they call home,” she says.
Her thesis stands as a testament to the ways creative practice can inspire meaningful reflection—and how small, intentional acts of artistry can spark broader conversations about climate, stewardship, and the landscapes that shape us.
About the Department of Applied Design
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Applied Design at Appalachian State University fosters excellence in design education, design research, and professional placement. The department balances theoretical and pragmatic approaches while exploring an awareness of impact through design decisions on the global community. Faculty focus on a holistic approach to creative problem-solving by integrating sustainability and ethical responsibility in teaching and practice. The department offers bachelor's degrees in apparel design and merchandising, industrial design, and interior design.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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