Edge of
Reality
— 2022
Created a cohesive visual experience—through cover illustration, editorial artwork, and layout design—that captures LSA Magazine’s central theme of navigating uncertainty and discovery in the age of generative AI.
CLIENT —
University of Michigan, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
MY ROLE —
Illustration, Graphic Design, Editorial Design, Art Direction, Web Design
This cover illustration received a UCDA Design Award of Excellence.
MORE INFO —
For the Spring 2022 issue of LSA Magazine: Edge of Reality, I designed the cover illustration and developed layouts and visual treatments for multiple feature and department stories. The issue centered on perception and truth in the age of generative AI—exploring how emerging technologies blur the lines between real and artificial, known and unknown. Through illustration, typography, and editorial design, I aimed to support and visually amplify stories that examine how the liberal arts help us interpret this rapidly evolving landscape—one where digital tools shape not only what we see, but how we understand the world.
To capture the magazine’s theme of perception and truth in the age of generative AI, I developed a cover concept centered on a leaping figure suspended in a surreal, ambiguous space—diving into or being pulled toward a swirling void that represents the uncertain pull of new technologies. Radial lines, angled planes, and symbolic objects suggest portals, shifting realities, and the chaos and creativity AI can unleash. The circular composition implies movement, discovery, and unease.
INITIAL CONCEPT SKETCH
The process included gathering visual references, sketching early concepts, and refining the illustration through feedback. Each element was designed to reinforce the central theme: navigating emerging technologies with curiosity, and a constant questioning of what’s real.
REFINED CONCEPT SKETCH
Magazine Feature Story:
Hey Siri, Are We Cool?
This multi-spread feature explores the evolving relationship between AI and human imagination through a series of richly layered visuals. The opening spread introduces a robotic, cube-like form emitting a surreal stream of imagery—blending organic and machine-made elements to symbolize AI’s role in shaping both reality and dreamlike possibilities. Across the remaining spreads, the visual narrative expands through dynamic compositions, contrasting color palettes, and unexpected imagery that draw from themes within the story. Together, the layouts create a sense of movement and discovery, inviting readers to navigate the tension, wonder, and complexity of an AI-influenced world.
INITIAL CONCEPT SKETCH
REFINED LAYOUT SKETCHES
FINAL SPREADS
