Photo of final composition displayed on the Fine Arts Library’s magazine shelf
Decoder held over second half of riddle: “Silence of grief / Cloudless sky”
Decoder pocket on back of magazine
Decoder held over first half of riddle: “Unforgiving fire / Ocean’s cry”
Digital copy of magazine cover and spine
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Module One focused on implementing a creatively hidden text-based riddle within Hayes Hall, Hopkins Hall, or the Fine Arts Library. Viewer interaction causes the reveal of the full riddle and answer; elements of the installation are discoverable, so the entire concept is not obvious at first glance. Successful completion required detailed spatial analysis in order for the text to inform the space. Additionally, applying elements and principles helped to communicate the riddle and its hidden properties. The most prominent were harmony between the installation and its environment, as well as space and form through materiality and viewer participation. Whether this participation involves touching the composition or simply viewing it from a new angle, this module created an experience for a target audience in a unique and unexpected way.
STATEMENT:
Visitors at the Fine Arts Library often overlook the magazine shelves - they might admire the harmony within covers but rarely pick them up to look inside. However, art and design scholars who are likely to notice an anomaly in publication names are my target audience for Hue, a fake magazine with a riddle hidden in its cover design. Once picked up, it is revealed that the form is not a real magazine - its back cover is a pocket, and the cover is given depth with foam board. Inside the paint palette-shaped pocket is a framed sheet of red acetate, and when placed over the front cover, this enables the viewer to decode the riddle.
Within the abstract shape, the riddle reads: “Unforgiving fire / Ocean’s cry / Silence of grief / Cloudless sky”. Each line describes the color blue, and many characteristics of the design emphasize this. The riddle’s text is blue, the article subtitles are references to the color, and removing the red decoder from its pocket reveals blue shapes in the paint palette. Through interactions in space and perceptions of color, these elements reward the viewer for picking up the composition by revealing both the riddle and answer. Its balanced cover and realistic layout allow it to blend in at first glance, while its true purpose is hidden deeper than what is visible when walking past the shelf.
REFLECTION:
Overall, I am proud of my success in composing a hidden yet understandable form. Due to my use of pattern and balance, library visitors could still entirely overlook the magazine, and this pattern usage also succeeded in concealing the riddle. Most people I asked about my work understood how to find and solve the riddle without guidance, so I feel I adequately solved this challenge of the assignment.
The greatest challenge I faced was in overcoming my tendency to judge my ideas too critically before taking the time to develop them or realize their potential. For example, I spent a long time searching for riddles because every option seemed too “cheesy” at first glance, even though this should not have diminished their value. Now, I’ve learned I should not be so judgmental of my own ideas due to their initial simplicity.
My favorite aspect of this module was applying the broad prompt to my interest in visual communication design. I made some design decisions based on observations from other cover examples, but I intend to be more intentional with these choices in the future as I learn more about the topic. I also hope to expand my printing knowledge, as I faced challenges here - for instance, the background of my cover is pink, but appears as a cool gray in my Illustrator file. Regardless, my experiences solidified my areas of interest in design and I am looking forward to expanding upon the concepts strengthened throughout the module.