Exhibit Work
“Naturalia” examines the systematic processes through which abandoned human structures are reclaimed by natural forces, vegetation taking ahold of towering structures and bringing them to the ground in shards and rubble through pure willpower. I believe this to be the perfect metaphor for the human cycle, what was once man-made falling back into the ground to then provide for other living ecosystems. The visual language employs a carefully constructed palette of bright earth tones, technical (more “man made”) features, and systematic typography to transform these prolonged ecological processes into accessible visual narratives more in tune with contemporary visual design interpretation. The publication design draws on multiple graphic design traditions: the brutalist grid structures of Swiss modernism, the sterile feeling of modern environmental publications, and the chaotic organization of traditional zines. These influences merge to create a cohesive design system that both documents and interprets the reclamation process in a uniquely artistic approach. The limited color palette—dominated by clear sky blues, steely greys, grassy greens, and soft off-whites—references both the natural pigments found in reclaimed sites and the printing constraints of zine publications.
Through this cultivated design approach, “Naturalia” demonstrates how graphic design can serve as both documentation and interpretation; transforming complex natural processes into systems of visual understanding that are simultaneously informative, accessible, and emotionally resonant. This work aims not to give direct scientific research to the audience, but rather ultimately showcases how the graphic designer’s toolset: typography, color, and composition can reveal unseen patterns in our world and help us comprehend the cyclical dialogue between what humans build and what nature reclaims.
