Thesis statement: Learning Threads thesis strives to prove that graphic design is the powerful toolkit I need to create educational experiences for an audience ranging from children to adults. These experiences were achieved through loud exploration of materiality, Playful interactions, and the insights of growing up with dyslexia.
DESIGN PROCESS
Planning this thesis was a big and essential journey. In my experience, this is the first time I've produced a hefty book with numerous moving pieces, color precision, hand-made inserts, and woven binding. As a tribute to my thesis, I underwent a learning process that though me into a whirlwind of emotions and challenges.
Book assembling process
Corrections on dummy book
Hand-woven binding process
HAND-MADE VS. PRODUCTION
I am always drawn to hand-made, one-of-a-kind pieces with the stamp of the author's or artist's hand. This decision has its positive side: It is a wonderfully crafted project that can stand out in the sea of publications. On the other hand, it has a negative side where it is very challenging to create multiple copies because it takes time, skills, and effort to make each one.
For this reason, I decided to create a limited edition thesis with hand-woven binding and then a "mass-production" version where the coil comes in as a beautiful feature that adds color vibrancy.
MATERIALITY
Throughout my MFA studies, I focused much of my work on exploring unconventional materials and how to repurpose them to fit the project I was developing.
Questions like: what is a book? Or what is graphic design expected to be used for? They drove my making, so many of my design pieces challenge preconceived ideas of objects. This idea permeated into my thesis book, where I found a way to introduce different materials not expected to be inside a publication.
This decision came with compromises and challenges of its own. I had to cut a lot of dream ideas to set my feet down to earth and figure out what was doable. Also, the challenges implied working with printers and receiving the printed materials unbound, so I could get my hands on the book and insert pieces and materials I hand-made.
Transparency overlays
Smaller sized inserts
Weaving Binding
Reflective Vinyl
Double page
Canvas Paper
Risograph printing
INTERACTIVITY
I aim to create meaningful and interactive pieces within my graphic design practice. I think of interactive in an analog way where the audience must react to the piece by conversing with it. Actions could be flipping a page, feeling a texture, perceiving bright colors, peaking through dye cuts in a page, etc.
AN ODE TO COLOR
Color is a fundamental pillar in my work. In my opinion, colors bring joy and make people interact more pleasantly. This is a matter of aesthetic preference within the artistic world.
Within the thesis publication, I create different moments where colors clash, interact, complement, and converse between themself. During the making process, I was intensely focused on finding a printer to achieve said vibrant colors that I usually have difficulty creating through regular printing.
