BFA Senior Thesis Exhibition
Adobe Illustrator
For Us By Us.
Each poster had illustrations dedicated to their responses and favorite color from the interviews.
Through personal narratives, family photos, and visual elements, I wanted to create something immersive—something that feels like an open door, inviting you in to experience Black memory. Not just to observe it, but to truly feel it. I want this space to spark nostalgia, reflection, and connection.
Many of the photos I use are filled with smiles and laughter. And that’s important. Because this is a story about more than black struggle, because black memory holds more than pain. It’s about joy. About love. About the beauty in everyday Black life—the small moments that often go unnoticed, but mean everything. Even in the hardest times, joy finds a way in. This project is about shifting the narrative. It centers the laughter, the warmth that has always been part of our lives, yet is too often overlooked.
I titled it For Us, By Us. Because these stories were made for us to see ourselves in—fully, honestly, and with pride. They come from our lived experiences, told through our own lens, not filtered or redefined for someone else. It’s not just about representation—it’s about authorship. This is our history, our joy, our memory—and it deserves to be shared in our own voice. The goal was to get others to see black stories as not “other” but something memorable, relatable, and deeply personal.
Each interview was recorded so the audience could listen to the whole interview. This decision was made so the posters don’t feel crowded and overwhelmed.
I wanted to add another personal layer to the project. I wanted people to see how we’ve grown while hearing the memories in our own words. The card helps make the experience feel even more real, honest, and complete.
Part 2: Zine
Zine made for exploring and celebrating the benefits of remembering. It examines the positive impact that memory can have on our present lives. I wanted something small that felt like a direct conversation between me and the reader.
The Zine is broken up into chapters with one whole spread dedicated to the chapter’s topic. Chapter One is about why it’s good to remember using blue gradients. Chapter Two explores how memories help us grow, utilizing green gradients. Lastly, Chapter Three is about using memories for self-care and reflection, featuring warm, colorful gradients.
To make each page feel cohesive and connected, I carried over illustrations, textures, and elements from one page to the next. As you flip through, each new page carries a hint or reminiscence of the previous gradient and grainy texture, creating a continuous flow. I wanted the gradients to create a warm, inviting feeling that encourages readers to stay, keep reading, and reflect on their memories.
Part 1: Poster Series/Recording
“For Us, By Us” speaks to authorship and belonging, making space for stories that are personal, powerful, and deeply rooted. It is both a title and a message, emphasizing that these stories were created with care and matter for the communities the show represents. The balance of structure and looseness invites viewers in while honoring the voices behind each piece.
The design pulls colors from the posters and textures from the zine to keep everything visually connected. By trimming the top black bar and allowing the letters to extend beyond the frame, the layout feels more open and expressive. It speaks to us, inviting viewers in while holding space for reflection.