Publication

Inspired by Jill Lepore’s article, “The Golden Age of Literature: What to Make of Our New Literature of Radical Pessimism,” I set out to create "Papers," a quarterly magazine dedicated to exploring dystopian themes through the use of photography, color, and composition. The goal was to communicate the article's profound message and evoke a visceral response in readers. I extracted quotes and expanded on various analogies from the article to inform my design concepts. In my initial explorations, I created illustrative art that contrasted a run-down, abandoned world against a pristine, ordered utopia, utilizing bright colors, geometric shapes, and dynamic lines. As I delved deeper, my focus shifted toward a more subdued, monochromatic representation of dystopia. I experimented with ink and negative space to evoke feelings of emptiness and a fractured reality. Immersing myself in photography, I manipulated images to create distorted visuals that reflected the theme of a broken world. Throughout this creative journey, I continually assessed what the article truly needed. My role as a designer was to create an environment in which the author’s words could resonate deeply with the reader. This revelation led me to explore typography and its power to convey emotion. My key takeaway from this project is the significance of shifting focus and embracing new perspectives, allowing for deeper insights and more impactful design solutions.