For my senior capstone project, I decided to compile three rejected essays submitted to the New York Times column Modern Love and illustrate those stories, giving them the attention they never received. Going into this project, my goals were to incorporate analog practices, to give special attention to the book design, and to be intentional about the relationships I create between my illustrations and the typography my book would have. 

 

I find the most joy in creating analog illustrations, so that was essential to my process. Because these are such personal stories, I knew that watercolor and ink would be a compelling and tactile medium, making the stories feel more intimate. I chose three distinct color stories for each essay, knowing that I also enjoy working within a limited color palette. It feels almost like a puzzle to me, figuring out which colors to assign to different elements of the illustrations. To push the tactile nature of my book even further, I hand bound it, using a long stitch binding with a Kraft paper cover. Each book was made with care, handling each stories in a mindful way. 

 

As an illustrator with a love of design, it was important to me that I focus on the design of the book itself just as much as the illustrations that would inhabit each page. My entire process began with type studies and my grid system. I put the design at the forefront of my mind. From there I chose compelling visual narratives, exploring how I could illustrate the stories and have the text interact with these images. I wanted everything in my book to feel intentional. To tie together illustration and typography I used hand lettering for the cover, front page, and the title pages of the stories. 

 

This is a work that is so special to me and that I found great joy in making. LOVE ETC. is a project with which I know I was able to grow as both a designer and illustrator.