Thesis project

Art direction :Paul Kepple, Temple University, Tyler school of art

For my thesis project, I aimed to create a truly distinctive showcase of my illustration skills while demonstrating a solid grasp of design principles. The result of this endeavor is the "Journal of Dr. Z: Bestiary of the Apocalypse." This unique project unfolds as an illustrated scientific journal penned by the last survivor of an apocalyptic event. Dr. Z, once an ordinary person, found himself thrust into a cataclysmic conflict between humanity and extraterrestrial forces. The war culminated in the deployment of a human-made chemical weapon, intended to thwart the alien invaders. Regrettably, this weapon proved overwhelmingly effective, decimating 90 percent of the alien population and, tragically, claiming the lives of 99 percent of all humans while radically altering the Earth's ecosystems.

Dr. Z's survival hinged on an unusual circumstance—he was sealed within a freezer in a scientific laboratory and awoke 300 years later, in a vastly transformed future. Each page of the journal serves as a window into the bizarre post-apocalyptic world, introducing readers to the myriad creatures Dr. Z encounters. These pages provide comprehensive explanations of each creature's origins and characteristics, complemented by intricate side illustrations offering detailed perspectives of these enigmatic beings. Through this project, I sought to blend storytelling, illustration, and design to create a captivating and immersive experience.

Process

Embarking on this project proved to be one of the most time-intensive and demanding endeavors I've ever undertaken, yet it remains an experience I cherished every step of the way. Throughout this creative journey, I pushed the boundaries of my imagination to its limits. From meticulously crafting the weathered and well-worn appearance of the book to inventing an entire menagerie of post-apocalyptic creatures and deciphering the intricacies of their mutations, I delved deep into the realms of creativity and ingenuity. I followed a Marvel-inspired approach, giving precedence to the visual imagery, with the storyline evolving organically. While I initially had a concept in mind, it was only after completing all the drawings that the narrative truly revealed itself, unfolding in ways I had not anticipated.