A series of illustrated posters and a hand-bound booklet exploring portraiture through stylized graphic design influences
This project began as a series of pencil portraits of close family and friends, which I later developed digitally in Adobe Illustrator. The illustrations were influenced by Patrick Nagel’s graphic portrait style, as well as Art Deco and Japanese print design. I focused on creating bold, simplified portraits paired with decorative patterns that reflect each individual’s personality and interests.The subjects of this series are women who have inspired me at different points in my life. While this initial collection focuses on female portraits, the concept was intentionally designed to be expanded to include male subjects using the same visual language.
I began the project with research and visual exploration, gathering references and defining the overall direction. I created portrait sketches from photographic references, refined them with ink, and then scanned and traced the drawings in Adobe Illustrator to create clean vector shapes.
Once the portraits were established, I explored background patterns, color palettes, and graphic elements that would complement each subject. I used mind maps, mood boards, and storyboards to develop ideas and ensure consistency across the series.
Color was applied in a style inspired by Patrick Nagel—using strong black outlines, minimal shading, and simplified forms—while the backgrounds were designed to be more expressive and colorful to create contrast. I experimented with shapes, patterns, and color combinations until each poster felt cohesive and balanced.
After completing the posters, I imported the designs into Adobe InDesign to create a printed booklet. I selected quotes that aligned with the personality and tone of each portrait and chose typography that complemented the overall aesthetic. Although I initially considered incorporating each subject’s initials into the design, I ultimately chose a cleaner, more minimal approach.
The final booklet was printed, cut, and hand-bound, completing the project as a tactile, physical piece.
