After seven weeks and over $100 of supplies, I created this interactive, spinning poster that raises awareness for the “cool” side of dyslexia. As an ambigram, rightside up it reads correctly, but upside down in reads phonetically: “disleksia.” I wanted to do it in a graffiti style because its “creative chaos” feel is what we dyslexics go through sometimes, and I wanted to express it visually for those who don’t understand the experience. The board circle spins on a lazy Susan and changes colors, misspells, and the letters and paint are even at different heights to create a constantly changing, moving piece. Each piece was made of spray-painted foam core cut out by hand and by laser. The entire poster stands at 30″ by 30″ and was submitted as a midterm grade for my masters of graphic design degree. If you’re interested in how dyslexia works and how it affects people’s reading, spelling, and creativity, check out my essay about the dyslexic superpower or watch my short infographic animation. I got an A- on this project.
The Making of Dyslexic Scrabble
For class, we had to redesign a board game. Traditionally in the class, our teacher required everyone to redesign Scrabble, though this year he allowed a variety of games we could remake. But, since I already had my mind thinking of Scrabble ideas, I chose to stick with the classic, deciding to make it into a dyslexic Scrabble board (affectionately dubbed Scrabdle).
US Currency Redesign
For my graphic design class in grad school, I had to redesign several bills of currency. I chose the US currency (‘cuz MURICA), and I wanted to do something that was both creative yet realistic. Because let’s be fair: if the US completely overhauled their green bills for something totally different, people would flip (remember when the $5 bill was changed to include purple colors). It also happens to be 2019, which is the 50th anniversary of the moon landing (and the limited edition Oreos that commemorated the event were “stuf” of legend). To do my own commemoration, I wanted to do a “limited edition currency” that I could imagine America issuing for a special year: something obviously different, yet not radically unfamiliar. I used micro-extended bold as my primary typeface, since it was a favorite font of NASA back in the sixties during the moon landing (it also happens to be my college’s typeface for all their branding, interestingly enough). As far as paper goes, I printed each bill on a glossy silver paper from Hobby Lobby to give it an official currency feel (as well as a sheen that screams SPACE).
Rivera Ardis Character Design
In my Advanced Digital Graphics class, we had to break out of our graphic design comfort zones and focus more on creating our own graphics to amplify our skillsets. One of our projects required us to do a character design or portrait, so I decided to draw my main character from my novel. While it’s not particularly my favorite digital painting ever, it taught me a lot about warm light and cool shadows, perspective, and drawing a character within a setting (something I’m pretty terrible at), so this was a really enjoyable project. I got a B+ on this project.
The Book of Esther Redesign with Commentary
For class we were tasked with redesigning a short book of the Bible. One of our options was Esther, and even though I wasn’t particularly a fan of that story, I knew there was a lot of interesting history there. I decided to not only redesign the book like the class required, but I also wanted to make it a historical and biblical commentary. My dad and I worked together to sift through the historical references–Dad came up with a timeline based off of James Ussher’s Annals of History while I read Josephus. Below is the cover jacket design and some of the spreads in the book. I’ve also included the introduction to read below the designs, in case you want to know more about what went into the in-depth project. If you’d like to purchase the book, you can find it here. I got an A- on this project.
“O Beautiful for Spacious Skies” Vector
For one of my graphic design classes, I had to create a vector, nature-based painting. I wanted it to be distinctly American as well as have a slight double meaning when looked at closer. The scene is based off the song “America the Beautiful” and attempts to illustrate each landscape description mentioned in the song. Upon closer look, one can see the American flag hidden within the scene: the fruited plains/amber waves of grain are in rows like stripes, and the snow on the mountains have a slight resemblance of stars. I got an A- on this project.
The Writer’s Block Syndrome
This past month, I’ve been struggling with severe writer’s block. I almost never succumb to it’s cold, calloused embrace, but this month has been a doozy for my writer’s mind. What’s worse? I had a paper due; a long paper. In an attempt to conquer this…impediment…I wrote this short soapbox rant for my nonfiction class: Today, I have a problem. A real, big-time problem. It’s a problem every writer faces, a problem every writer fears. It comes with no warning, but strikes a quick, agonizing blow to your self-esteem, your peace of mind, and your overall sanity. I’m talking about writer’s block. The wicked, wicked illness of every writer.
Cover Reveal and Designs for Author Zachariah Wilhelm
Zachariah Wilhelm’s awesome new book, A Spark of Light, is now available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle. Inside you’ll find a collection of short fiction and essays that center on the universal theme of light in a world of darkness. Also, if you want to keep up with his current projects, you can visit him on his website!
Seven “Must Haves” for Freshmen Attending Pensacola Christian College
You’re going to college. Specifically, you’re going to Pensacola Christian College, and you haven’t heard of PCCBay?! Seven “Must Haves” of any PCC student.
“Fire Writing” Wins ADDY Award and Commencement Contest
This year has been a crazy rollercoaster of responsibility and opportunity. I’m just now recovering from what’s been the busiest school year of my life. First on the To-Do List… My studio art roommate urged me to participate in the local ADDY Awards this year with her. She suggested I submit the video spot I did on Josiah Vogel and his pyrography, so I grit my teeth together and paid the entry fee, hoping I wasn’t going to have to eat Ramen the next six months for nothing (kidding, guys, kidding. I only eat Ramen…often…ish….) So this spring when the awards were announced, my roommate and I eagerly looked through the winners’ names, slightly disappointed we couldn’t find our names. We shrugged as we put my laptop aside, trying not to let each other know how disappointed we were. Then the next day my classmate congratulated me. “For what?” I asked, slightly bewildered as I gathered my things to leave after the bell. My mind ran through the things she could possible be referring to, but none of the options seemed big enough to warrant a congratulations. “Your ADDY Award,” she explained, the slightly flicker of doubt crossing her bright … Read More