This project for my Design and Visual Communication I class was all about iconography. We took a famous nursery rhyme and reimagined it to describe or give warning to a modern issue. Nursery rhymes often had a dark meaning, tale of warning, or recounted historical events. The Itsy-Bitsy Spider is all about the struggles of the lower class trying to achieve the American dream. When I was first sketching this piece, I created images showing the full body. As we continued to learn more about iconography, I realized that this would not translate universally. Icons need to be quick and easy to read, so simplicity was the only way to go.
Overview
As I continued to sketch, I realized that there are lots of hand symbols within the Black Lives Matter movement. Itsy-Bitsy Spider also uses hand gestures to tell a story, so I knew the two narratives would work well together. I chose black for the background of the black hands because of the black hoodie Trayvon Martin wore when he was killed. I chose navy to stand for the uniforms that police officers often wear as well as the “blue wall of silence.” This was the first class that I was able to integrate my interest in social issues with my design work. I take great pride in this piece and have it currently hanging up in my house.
Process Work
