QUOTES
For this project, we were tasked with selecting a quote at random from a basket of inspirational sayings and turning it into a compelling visual design. The challenge was to not only typographically present the quote, but to also visually interpret its message in a way that enhanced its meaning. The goal was to create a design that encourages viewers to reflect, connect, and appreciate the deeper value of the words through thoughtful layout, color, and imagery.
SKETCHES
The sketching process was open-ended and intuitive I explored different layouts, colors, and compositions, searching for visual inspiration until something resonated with the meaning of the quote. Once I had a few initial concepts, we presented them to our peers for critique and feedback. This step was crucial in refining our direction, helping us identify what was working and what needed improvement. From there, I finalized my design based on a deeper understanding of the quote’s message, creating an image that felt both visually engaging and conceptually meaningful.
Illustration
Drafted Quotes
For this project, I created designs inspired by quotes from Carlos Santana, Marcia Sells, and Simone de Beauvoir three influential figures known for their unique contributions to music, the arts, and philosophy. Carlos Santana is a legendary guitarist who blended rock with Latin American rhythms to create a powerful, soulful sound. Marcia Sells is a pioneering arts administrator and advocate for equity in classical and performing arts. Simone de Beauvoir was a groundbreaking French philosopher and feminist writer who challenged societal norms and redefined the role of women in modern thought.
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Two of the quotes I selected were directly related to art and performance, which led me to design a pair of posters intended for display in a studio environment. I chose a cohesive color palette: yellow as the dominant tone to energize the space and uplift the viewer, red and pink to express passion and femininity especially in relation to the subject of the ballerina and deep blue to ground the composition and serve as the primary color for typography. This trio of colors worked together to create a visually striking and emotionally resonant atmosphere that supported the messages behind the quotes.
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While two of the quotes were visually paired and designed for a studio setting, I approached the quote by Simone de Beauvoir as a separate, standalone piece. Her words speak deeply to identity, growth, and womanhood, so I chose to interpret them through an African aesthetic, incorporating traditional patterns and visual elements to reflect cultural depth and heritage.
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The color palette plays a central role in this design. I used brown as the dominant color to symbolize the richness and grounding of African culture, paired with gold and yellow to signify royalty, strength, and dignity. To contrast and complete the composition, I introduced deep blue a color that captures a sense of introspection and nostalgia, representing the journey from adolescence to womanhood. Altogether, the design is meant to honor not just de Beauvoir’s message, but the broader cultural context of feminine strength, resilience, and transformation.
MOCK UP
Vision
When envisioning these quotes, I imagined them displayed in a ballet studio a space where young girls pass by daily, pushing themselves through the discipline and beauty of dance. I wanted these designs to serve as visual motivation, quietly encouraging them to keep going, to believe in their strength, and to find meaning in their practice. That vision shaped the creation of this pair of posters, designed specifically to inspire, uplift, and energize the dancers who see them not just as decorations, but as reminders of purpose and passion.
