Reflections
Awarded A-Commended
— A-Commended is the highest grade awarded during Senior Project. It represents professionalism and outstanding design throughout the whole semester.
Objective — In the capstone course of the graphic design program, led by senior faculty, students present their proposed direction for their Senior Project and seek approval from the committee. Each project showcases a cohesive body of work, developed by students working independently during their final semester. Students are encouraged to pursue deliverables and themes that correlate with their career aspirations.
Concept — The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has just introduced its new (fictitious) exhibit centered around the 27 emotions determined by the University of California, Berkeley. Each emotion correlates to its own artwork that shows, evokes, or otherwise relates to that emotion. This project included a 250-page coffee table book and a do-it-yourself collage kit (both to be sold in the MoMA Design Store); advertisements (three posters, three Instagram stories, and an email newsletter); curation and identity design for the exhibit; and exhibit wall mockup. The driving force behind this concept is the reminder that art has always been a safe space for exploring/confronting difficult feelings and viewing/creating art encourages self-reflection (where we can better understand our emotions, triggers, and psychological states).
Typography — Eclipse by Brandon Nickerson; Mazius Review 20.09 by Alberto Casagrande; Input Mono Condensed Regular and Medium Italic by David Jonathan Ross; and Griffith Gothic by Tobias Frere-Jones.
When curating Reflections, I wanted to feature a myriad of artists and mediums. This exhibit includes sculptures, paintings, comics, installations, illustrations, and photographs. It includes work from people you know, like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, and Keith Haring — but also includes several lesser-known names with equally beautiful work.
I concepted this project around the dream of making a thick perfectly-bound coffee table book that could prove print isn’t dead. Transparent paper, laser cuts, and surprises at every turn of the page await the viewer of Reflections. I wanted to create something memorable, something worthy of being printed and held.
While viewing the spreads below, realize that when the recto design is flipped onto the next verso, transparent paper or die cuts are in use.
Reflecting
As I brainstormed additional deliverables to complete this project, I was reminded of the following information:
Benefits of journaling for mental health:
“Therapeutic journaling is the process of writing down our thoughts and feelings about our personal experiences. This kind of private reflection allows us to sort through events that have occurred and problems we may be struggling with.”
—va.gov
Benefits of creating art for mental health:
“There is a positive connection between art and mental health—artistic activities such as sculpting, painting, or drawing are known to lower stress levels and promote mental calmness. Creating art takes your mind off of your everyday life and provides a relaxing distraction.”
—scrippsamg.com
So, I created an individual collage kit, complete with 100+ photos, colored transparent sheets, letters, and cutouts to help you understand and visualize your emotions! Face your reflection, own your emotions.
