Katrina Clasen: capstone

Abstract

The artist's statement: My passion for print and publications explores innovative visual storytelling through human-centered design—focusing on balance and producing vibrant pieces of the human experience. Through design investigation, I bring to the forefront the importance of how in a digital age, we engage and resonate more with that which is tangible. I design with the intent to impact readers with user experience rather than simply washing over the viewer much like the rest of the virtual world of graphic design. I compel readers to contend with the amount of content we absorb through a screen by stressing the tactile experience when engaging with something material. Whether it is the drama when turning a page, or the way a publication is presented to the viewer, my practice emphasizes the dynamism that comes from the construction of printed materials. Vibrancy and polished design direct the aesthetics of my work. Bold colors and stark contrasts are a large part of my repertoire, as the vividness persuades the viewer to look further while the balance promotes readability. I pull inspiration from the simplicity of International Typographic Style, or Swiss design, and the Bauhaus Movement where functionality and aesthetics align. I look to artists like Irma Boom and Frank Llyod Wright, who successfully work with architectural form to enhance the viewer experience while at the same time creating an object of beauty, with quality and permanence. My practice evolves as the world does—as new virtual realities perpetuate our vision, my physical narratives breathe new life into traditional, consumer-driven design where I explore inventive ways to make an impact.