Postcard Collection
Sustainable Utopia
The challenge: For this project, I created a series of postcards that visually communicated a potential world combining innovation, technology, and sustainability for a better future. I referenced many retro/ futuristic designs for this idea to reimagine cities that combined innovative public transportation systems, walkable routes, incorporation of greenery (on or in public buildings), and organic-looking living spaces.
Creating the different graphic elements for this collection taught me the importance of layer organization, color usage, craftsmanship, and creating a visual hierarchy throughout each composition.
Project Category: Digital illustration, Graphic design
Fall 2023
Softwares: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator
Artist Inspiration/Ideation Research
One of the biggest sources of inspiration I had to re-imagine a futuristic and sustainable world was Neri Oxman, an American-Israeli designer and professor at MIT known for her innovative and groundbreaking research concerning bio-architecture. Her futuristic and sophisticated designs are achieved through fusing design, technology, and biology together. In my sketches, I took inspiration from her by trying to mimic common shapes/forms found in nature and consciously incorporating lots of rounded, flowing, organic shapes.
Futuristic Transportation Ideation/Research
Another essential part of my research process involved examining various futuristic, electric, and hybrid designs for the methods of transportation that would be presented in my design. I felt that this part of the research was important because it added to the utopian and sustainable mood of the postcards themselves. I looked into different public transportation methods such as trains or buses, and was intrigued by hanging trains found in some places like Germany. I also found inspiration from different electric hybrid vehicles such as the Trimtab and different Velomobile designs.
Final Design Statement
After establishing a digital layout with flat shapes, I added gradients and designed assets using the pen tool, including windmills, trains, trees, clouds, flowers, a city skyline, and plants. I carefully arranged these elements in each composition. Experimenting with color schemes, I refined them to convey the desired mood and spatial depth. As final touches, I introduced shapes with lowered opacity to create shadows or beams of light.
