Americanah
Project Info
Poster/Booklet Design2022
Advisor
Vidhya Nagarajan and Audra HubbellExcerpt from
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieRead excerpt
Typefaces
Roc Grotesk by Nikola Kostic and Zorac Kostic and Monarcha by Isac Correa Rodrigues This poster/booklet is designed based on Chapter 36 of a novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah. This project was given as a final assignment for one of my core foundational classes for my major, Communication Design. As I began to dive into the project with no prior knowledge or discussion about the book, I realized that the topic encompasses the entire chapter, and majority of the book, is about identity of being African or African American. Because of this, as an Asian American designer, I felt that I was not qualified or understand enough the nuance in order to create the best outcome.
Unfortunately, I could not have gotten more perspective from the African/African American community since none of my advisors nor my classmates (except for one, however she was in another project) was Black. Going forward with the project, I tried to make sure that there is no insensitive imagery. Therefore, I forced myself to rely on more visual metaphors, to which I believe I accomplished in my posters titled “Even The Idea of Being Ready is Ridiculous” and “Traveling While Black”.
As the end of the project wrapped up, I reflected on the importance of designers from the community speaking about their work and thought process as designs would only get better if comes from the community it serves. I also bought the book Americanah to the context a lot better and make adjustment to my project if necessary.
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Unfortunately, I could not have gotten more perspective from the African/African American community since none of my advisors nor my classmates (except for one, however she was in another project) was Black. Going forward with the project, I tried to make sure that there is no insensitive imagery. Therefore, I forced myself to rely on more visual metaphors, to which I believe I accomplished in my posters titled “Even The Idea of Being Ready is Ridiculous” and “Traveling While Black”.
As the end of the project wrapped up, I reflected on the importance of designers from the community speaking about their work and thought process as designs would only get better if comes from the community it serves. I also bought the book Americanah to the context a lot better and make adjustment to my project if necessary.
