Poster Design
Mental health is an intricate and layered topic, often difficult to encapsulate in a single image. For this project, the goal was to create a visually engaging design that communicates the complexities of mental health in a way that resonates emotionally and intellectually. Inspired by the fragmented nature of mental well-being, I chose to use a combination of printouts and tactile art techniques to craft a piece that reflects these themes.
Conceptualizing the Visual Language
I began by exploring the idea of fragmentation and reconstruction as metaphors for mental health. Healing is rarely linear—it involves moments of breaking down and rebuilding, of struggle and resilience. To represent this visually, I moved beyond traditional digital design and turned to tactile elements. By incorporating torn paper, layering, and mixed materials, I aimed to create a sense of depth and imperfection that mirrors the real-life experience of mental health.
Sketching and Experimentation
The initial sketches focused on visualizing these themes through layering techniques. I developed mind maps to connect abstract concepts—such as isolation, healing, and self-discovery—to concrete design elements. Inspired by collage art and contemporary mixed-media techniques, I experimented with tearing, overlapping, and rearranging printouts. This process was essential in creating a raw, textured aesthetic that felt both structured and organic, much like the fluctuations of mental well-being.
Images are sourced from pexels.com
Material and Colour Choices
To deepen the emotional impact of the design, I carefully curated both colour and material choices to evoke a sense of introspection and resilience. Muted tones like greys and blacks were chosen to reflect moments of vulnerability and contemplation, while warm, vibrant accents introduced a sense of hope and renewal. The tactile quality of the materials played an equally crucial role—textured papers and thick layers of paint added depth, reinforcing the idea that mental health is not just something we see but something we experience.
To further enhance the overall tone, I applied a light brown watercolour wash to the background, creating a subtle texture that interacted with the naturally light paper. This brown hue produced a shadowy, damp effect, adding an atmospheric weight to the composition. Around this wash, soft white highlights emerge, representing cracks of light breaking through, inspired by the concept of a silver lining in dark clouds. This contrast subtly reinforces the idea that even in moments of struggle, there is still hope.
At the centre of the composition, the main figure is depicted in freefall, descending toward a small black hole beneath them. The size of the hole is intentionally made smaller to suggest that while the figure appears to be falling, they are not completely lost. Instead, the composition captures them in mid-motion, with one hand reaching upward and the other extended downward, creating a sense of balance. This pose symbolizes the ongoing push and pull of mental health—moments of struggle intertwined with the potential for resilience and recovery.
Every element of the poster, from the fragmented figure to the textured background, was meticulously constructed using cutouts and hand-layered pieces. This physical process of assembly mirrors the theme of reconstruction within mental health, reinforcing the idea that healing is a journey of piecing oneself back together, no matter how fragmented one may feel.
Refining the Final Composition
One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the design remained engaging without becoming visually overwhelming. Mental health is already a heavy topic, so the composition needed a sense of balance. Through iterations and feedback, I refined the layout to create a focal point: a central figure composed of layered print cutouts. This figure represents individuality, while the surrounding fragmented elements add depth, illustrating the intricate and interconnected nature of mental well-being.
