Spreads
The Exhibit
The Exhibit is a poem that focuses on the belief that God is an artist, with the world and
everything in it as His masterpieces.
The author, however, struggles to see beauty or divine craftsmanship in themselves, questioning
their place in God's creation despite acknowledging His perfection as the Creator.
I chose to illustrate the subject's internal conflict in the poem by positioning them behind the
poster, symbolizing their inability to perceive themselves as they are seen through God's eyes.
The
nature background was incorporated to
highlight the poem's emphasis on the inherent value of all of God's creations. Additionally, I
selected a golden color
for the title to evoke a sense of divine light and purity, complementing the elegant frame and
adding a harmonious
visual connection to the theme of spiritual worth.
Feathers on the Sea
Feathers On the Sea reflects on the myth of Icarus, exploring the tension between the pursuit of
dreams and the
inevitable consequences of overreaching. It mourns his fall but also honors the fleeting freedom
he
experienced,
questioning if the cost of his ambition was worth the brief moment of flight.
I aimed to capture the duality of consequence and beauty inherent in the pursuit of dreams. The
image of burning
feathers serves as a frozen moment in time, symbolizing Icarus's flight too close to the sun and
the
inevitable fallout.
The use of a fiery title ties the text to the image, reinforcing the intensity of the theme. To
further reflect the
emotional balance of the story, I chose a turbulent sea to convey chaos and a clear sky to evoke
tranquility,
illustrating the coexistence of both forces in the narrative's emotional landscape.
On the Train Northward
On The Train Northward tells about a young lady named Molly Martson, who, on a snowy night,
boards a
late train, clutching a worn violin case
tied to memories of her past. While keeping to herself, she encounters a mysterious green-eyed
stranger whose intentions
seem unclear. During an unexpected delay, Molly finds solace in playing her brother’s violin
under
the watchful gaze of a snowy owl.
I integrated key symbols from the story, such as the owl, the initials on the violin, and the
music
that Molly creates
when the train stops, to strengthen the visual connection to the narrative. To unify these
elements,
I applied a faded
texture across the design, creating a sense of cohesion throughout. The use of red and black
hues in
the pull quotes
draws attention and adds emphasis, while the placement of these elements on each page helps to
visually narrate the
progression of the story. This design approach deepens the connection between the text and the
unfolding narrative,
enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
Sunday Drive
Sunday Drive focuses on the main characters, Wess and Pip, who deliver pizzas in a
post-apocalyptic
world filled with
danger from the undead. As they navigate through this chaotic landscape, their humorous banter
and
focus on completing
their job contrast with the ever-present threat of death, and their routine becomes a way to
survive
while maintaining a
semblance of normalcy.
I developed a cohesive design that reflects the playful creativity of the story while also
acknowledging its darker
elements, such as the zombie piles. The pizza box elements symbolize the lighthearted nature of
the
narrative, while the
zombie piles introduce a more serious tone. To unify these contrasting aspects, I applied a
consistent texture across
all elements, giving the design a worn, printed appearance that enhances the sense of
authenticity
and continuity
throughout.
The Weight of a Sole
The Weight of a Sole reflects on the tragic and fleeting life of a ladybug, whose unexpected
death
under a human's foot
symbolizes the fragility and insignificance of life. It concludes with the author's personal
connection to the bug's
fate, feeling similarly crushed by the weight of human existence.
I intentionally ripped the image on the left side to visually represent the theme of being
crushed,
symbolizing a person
broken by their environment. This element draws a parallel to the ladybug in the story,
emphasizing
the metaphor of
vulnerability and destruction. To further unify the design, I incorporated the cracked effect
into
the title and pull
quotes, creating a cohesive visual that reinforces the narrative's emotional depth and
strengthens
the overall
composition.
Gallery Introduction and Spread
As my role as one of the Gallery Directors, I continued to build on our established theme by incorporating a variety of elements to create a dynamic collage for the Gallery Intro. This collage includes vintage motifs, a grain effect, and the fish and butterflies from earlier pages, maintaining visual continuity throughout. For the section dividers, I selected a subtle tab design in a tan hue that echoes the color scheme from previous pages. This choice directs the reader's attention primarily to the student artwork, ensuring that the content remains the focal point while maintaining a consistent and harmonious aesthetic.