This project aims to create a sampler or preview of the book based on an excerpt from Chapter 36 of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah. A set of three foldable posters will bring the text to life. The booklets/posters should work as a set and as individual artifacts. They are double-sided and will function as both a wall poster and a handheld 8 pg. booklet. Each poster is limited to a maximum of two hues, excluding the color paper stock, but the values are unlimited.
I wanted the poster/booklet series to follow the main character, Ifemelu, as she combats against herself, society, and the world. Therefore, I split the posters/booklets into three themes: identity, home, and racism. I decided on these three themes because, in Chapter 36, Ifemelu seems comfortable in this new identity, African American, that has been placed onto her by America, yet she is struggling to assimilate. She consistently feels out of place, especially when she is around her boyfriend's friends.
I intentionally have the posters image-heavy, whereas the booklets are type-heavy. This is because I want the booklets to give the viewers a deeper insight into the thoughts running through Ifemelu as she faces each theme. There are flowers throughout the posters both for an additional layer of consistency besides the visual language and to reinforce the idea of thoughts. The idea of thoughts blooming like a flower is what I had in mind when designing the posters. The text in the booklets is purposefully on the edge of readable and unreadable since I want to show how chaotic and clashing Ifemelu's thoughts are. I chose to leave the text still readable to let the audience have the chance to read and decipher Ifemelu's thoughts.
The style and fonts are modern and clean, illustrating that the Americanah is set in modern America. The problems and reality that the character faces are still relevant timeline-wise.
I chose two contrasting colors for the identity poster to show two identities, Nigerian and African American. I did not select complementary colors because I wanted to show that Ifemelu has accepted the African American identity. The colors still contrast to reflect her thoughts as she still feels in conflict when confronted with African American culture.
As for the home poster, I chose earthy colors to bring the feel of warmth and homey. I also have bright pastel colors to show how she still feels foreign and out of place while she is in her new home in America.
The color palette for the racism poster was inspired by the American flag, illustrating the problems that Ifemelu faces after immigrating to America. After learning the history of African Americans, Ifemelu embraces the African American identity. This is the only instance where the audience can see that Ifemelu becomes connected with this second identity. Therefore, the colors also visualize her patriotism.
I chose two contrasting colors for the identity poster to show two identities, Nigerian and African American. I did not select complementary colors because I wanted to show that Ifemelu has accepted the African American identity. The colors still contrast to reflect her thoughts as she still feels in conflict when confronted with African American culture.
As for the home poster, I chose earthy colors to bring the feel of warmth and homey. I also have bright pastel colors to show how she still feels foreign and out of place while she is in her new home in America.
The color palette for the racism poster was inspired by the American flag, illustrating the problems that Ifemelu faces after immigrating to America. After learning the history of African Americans, Ifemelu embraces the African American identity. This is the only instance where the audience can see that Ifemelu becomes connected with this second identity. Therefore, the colors also visualize her patriotism.
https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/gallery/9865/william-farr/5
https://www.crawfordandcoproductions.com/rosalia-for-elle-x-zoey-grossman/s8rsxn0dac987lepjajteobr1rpt7x
https://pariscapitale.com/luxe-paris/beaute-cosmetique-fragrance/parfums/miss-dior-le-parfum-couture/
http://www.teethmag.net/fee-gloria-when-forever-was-us/pexels.com
unsplash.com
Mockups from Freepik and Poster Mockup
