A system that let the story surprise me

Four steps, each feeding the next. The random step mattered most: pairings I wouldn't have chosen showed connections I hadn't seen.

STEP 1

Collect & categorize

Begin by gathering personal artifacts and memories, then categorize them using a set of meaningful keywords.

Gallery · artifacts & keyword sort
STEP 2

Visual exploration

For each of the 8 selected keywords, create 4 unique compositions, resulting in a total of 32 visual experiments that explore different facets of the collection.

Gallery · 32 compositions (8 keywords × 4)
STEP 3

Collage & recombine

Randomly select and combine 3 compositions to form each of 5 new collages. These unexpected juxtapositions create fresh narratives and surface hidden connections.

Gallery · 5 collages
STEP 4

Book design

Using all the previous outcomes, design a book centered around the most prominent emerging theme.

Gallery · book spreads
8
keywords
32
compositions
5
collages
ROLE
Editorial design, typography, art direction
COURSE
[Pratt MFA, instructor]