MacArthur Poster
Named a 2008 MacArthur Fellow, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a critically-acclaimed Nigerian nonfiction novelist, short story writer, feminist, activist, and public figure. I designed this poster to acknowledge and celebrate Adichie's achievements, calling attention to her heritage and symbolically representing some of her written work.
The pattern on the front of the poster (left) draws inspiration from traditional Igbo designs native to Southeastern Nigeria, which also influences the custom geometric typeface boldly proclaiming her name. Adichie's silhouette on the back of the poster was derived from a still from her renowned TED talk The danger of a single story (2009), which has nearly 30 million views. The timeline of rays emanating from her head references Adichie's remarkable novel Half of a Yellow Sun, which tells the story of the Biafran War from the perspective of fictional characters.
Infographic
This infographic was designed to make a meticulous production process feel accessible and easy to understand for viewers of all backgrounds. Drawing the viewer in with bright colors, youthful yet legible type, and an exaggerated, playful animation style, the visual recalls children's book illustrations intended to both entertain and educate.
Working atop a conveyor belt covered in grass and saturated in sunshine, the design also challenges the notion that production processes for common commodities have been completely industrialized. By depicting an individual tending to each step of the process, the design instantly communicates that coffee is still predominately processed by hand—often by farmers making low wages—creating a sense of appreciation for a product often taken for granted in daily American life.
