Xhilda Cuko

OUR ROOM CARD DECK: DATA VISUALIZATON FOR STUDENT HOUSING IN TORONTO

Our Room Card Deck is a campaign created to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. It was based on the exploration of Target 11.1, specifically focusing on housing affordability, with a more specific emphasis on student housing in Toronto. It was created to support the “Student Housing Paradox” magazine spread designed previously in collaboration with Vidhi Khurana.

The campaign reflects both my daily experiences and the stories shared by friends. As Toronto has become one of Canada’s most expensive cities, students face significant challenges. Our Room highlights how limited affordable housing, long commutes, financial strain, and mental health pressures impact the lives of post-secondary students.

Through a set of interactive card games, the campaign encourages students to learn more about their shared struggles and contribute their own stories. Through this process, they can become part of a larger collective space and community. Ultimately, the campaign's goal is to create
a shared space of awareness that targets institutions and policymakers across Ontario, with the aim of making
“room for tomorrow.”

Card Deck Categories
The deck is organized into four color-coded categories, each highlighting specific challenges students face. Each category contains three to four cards featuring visualizations and key data. A fifth category includes action cards that encourage students to share personal stories and suggest actions or improvements for policymakers. The cutout pieces will be used to build a miniature room and be shared in the collective online space.

1. Housing Rent
2. Commute
3. Food Insecurity
4. Mental Health
5. Action Cards

Cut-out Pieces included inside the box

Card Size: 3.5” x 4.7”
Package Size: 3.8” x 5”

View Process Book

Student Housing Paradox
[Designers: Xhilda Cuko / Vidhi Khurana]