Be, Now See Project Exhibition

Roles
Design Research
Branding
Print
Motion Graphic
Exhibition & Installation

This Graphic Design Senior Thesis project was an extensive and self-directed exploration that researched and investigated the profound connection between design and human emotions. The project encompassed a research, design productions, branding, and exhibition.

Color and shape are the most powerful design elements that can convey mood and emotion in visual communication.

But can colors and shapes alone effectively convey complex human emotions without any other literal illustrations or explanation?

This Graphic Design Senior Thesis project explored methods to respond that question.

The Project Objective

Survey meanings of color and shapes: Investigate the universal metaphors, connotations, and symbolism of the most fundamental elements of art and design – colors and shapes
Interpret emotions: Explore the method of portraying, translating, and interpreting complex human emotions using only colors and shapes.

Upon the thorough research of meanings of colors and shapes associated with feelings, symbolisms, and ideas in many aspects of life, I was able to build a basic guideline for the project. The below list provides the guidelines and sets the parameters of the scope of the project.

Visual Interpretation

I then surveyed a range of emotions and translated them to visual narrative adhering to the guidelines. These selected emotions are mostly inspired and drawn from my personal journals. Whether positive or negative, these emotions and experiences of overcoming, enduring, and cherishing them have molded me into the person I am today – an artist, designer, thinker, life-long learner, and lover.

This collection of works is rather the exhibition of who I am as an individual and a narrative of my life.

I remained within the basic parameters of the guideline but have also interpreted, altered, and stylized components in the guideline to create conceptual visual narratives. Typography I have also taken into consideration that shapes and colors don’t always have one symbolism but depend upon the situation, relationships, and how they are being used in the context.

Exhibition

The Senior Thesis works had been exhibited in the Year End Show in Richmond, Virginia.

“To create a memorable design, you have to start with a thought that’s worth remembering.”

— Thomas Manss