Graduate ThesisPublication Design, Motion Graphics, Exhibition Design
2024–2025
There has been an exponential growth in mass consumerism in recent decades, creating a devoted consumer culture which reflects cultures of traditional religions. There is an emphasis on the desire for objects and material goods, but the lifespans of these objects are relatively short and they are intended to provide short-term satisfaction rather than long-term use. My graduate thesis was an inquiry into the artifacts of consumerism (particularly receipts and other single-use disposable objects) in comparison to artifacts of religion, in an attempt to better understand how artifacts can reveal insights into a society’s values, rituals, and way of life.
My research led to the creation of a book which analyzes and critiques our contemporary hyper-consumerist culture in the manner of a historical account written in the speculative future, where consumerism is viewed as a real religion widely practiced during our time. Typographic systems were utilized to denote differences between the speculative voice and the real voice.
The final culmination was an exhibition of my thesis—I created an altar of consumerism, staged with artifacts I designed, which included the book, a receipt tapestry, and small printed receipts outlining the ‘costs’ of consumerism.