human heart
unfolds
origami touch
unfolds
origami touch
This is a haiku written by Tim Hudenburg, a professor I had a history class with while I was in college. Being an exceedingly kind and encouraging person, he shared his poem with me because he knew and loved my interest in studying and creating art and design, and without hesitation expressed his desire to see an art piece from me inspired by it. I never forgot his request, nor his beautiful poem, even after graduation.
I decided to design a poster for his haiku, something that combines handwritten and hand drawn elements with typography. Displayed above is the main poster I designed, and below are the series of color variants I created to show the range of emotions Hudenburg’s poem encapsulates.
As a final touch, I wrote an artist’s statement to express my creative process and journey, as well as my gratitude to Hudenburg for inspiring me.
ARTIST STATEMENT
human heart
unfolds
origami touch
by Tim Hudenburg
As I sketched ideas based on these words, an image began to form in my mind. And as I continued mining the many meanings I read, the illustration evolved into a design piece akin to a book cover. Although it consists of illustrations, the overall composition was done digitally and with careful deliberation. I was drawn to the idea of an origami heart unfolding, and initially pictured a human hand caressing it, encapsulating the touch. But it felt too heavy handed, and I thought of other ways a touch can unfold the heart. I recently watched a film called “Call Me By Your Name” and am currently reading the novel it was adapted from, and its essence crept into my creative process, from the color scheme of the book cover to the story’s ultimate message that continues to move me. These lines from the movie have been resonating in my mind:
“We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster, that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty, and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to make yourself feel nothing, so as not to feel anything?
What a waste.
How you live your life is your business. Just remember: our hearts and our bodies are given to us only once. And before you know it, your hearts worn out. As for your body, there comes a time when no one looks at it. Much less wants to come near it. Right now, there’s sorrow, pain…don’t kill it. And with it the joy you felt.”
We become more ourselves because of what we feel, especially through hardships. I felt it was appropriate to use a kiss as the touch, an embrace, a risk that exposes your heart to both wanted and unwanted emotions. I chose to use a line drawing to show the lovers merging, becoming each other and entangled in each other, not facing away from what pain may come. I like ambiguity in my work.
I must apologize for how long it has taken to produce this piece, life sped up rather suddenly at the time and many things required my focus. Fortunately this felt like the perfect time to make it, both because of what I am personally grappling with and what has been inspiring me. I would like you to know that during all this time, I’ve never forgotten your poem. The words stayed with me, and even took on new meanings as I experienced new things. I love your poem, and I hope I did it justice. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interact with it and inspiring this design piece.
ARTIST STATEMENT
human heart
unfolds
origami touch
by Tim Hudenburg
As I sketched ideas based on these words, an image began to form in my mind. And as I continued mining the many meanings I read, the illustration evolved into a design piece akin to a book cover. Although it consists of illustrations, the overall composition was done digitally and with careful deliberation. I was drawn to the idea of an origami heart unfolding, and initially pictured a human hand caressing it, encapsulating the touch. But it felt too heavy handed, and I thought of other ways a touch can unfold the heart. I recently watched a film called “Call Me By Your Name” and am currently reading the novel it was adapted from, and its essence crept into my creative process, from the color scheme of the book cover to the story’s ultimate message that continues to move me. These lines from the movie have been resonating in my mind:
“We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster, that we go bankrupt by the age of thirty, and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to make yourself feel nothing, so as not to feel anything?
What a waste.
How you live your life is your business. Just remember: our hearts and our bodies are given to us only once. And before you know it, your hearts worn out. As for your body, there comes a time when no one looks at it. Much less wants to come near it. Right now, there’s sorrow, pain…don’t kill it. And with it the joy you felt.”
We become more ourselves because of what we feel, especially through hardships. I felt it was appropriate to use a kiss as the touch, an embrace, a risk that exposes your heart to both wanted and unwanted emotions. I chose to use a line drawing to show the lovers merging, becoming each other and entangled in each other, not facing away from what pain may come. I like ambiguity in my work.
I must apologize for how long it has taken to produce this piece, life sped up rather suddenly at the time and many things required my focus. Fortunately this felt like the perfect time to make it, both because of what I am personally grappling with and what has been inspiring me. I would like you to know that during all this time, I’ve never forgotten your poem. The words stayed with me, and even took on new meanings as I experienced new things. I love your poem, and I hope I did it justice. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interact with it and inspiring this design piece.
