Diary of a chainsmoker
The concept for this booklet is quite linear. It is developed following a repetitive scheme of senstences paired with a drawing that illustrates their meaning. The intention was to achieve a humorous yet progressively more serious succession of instances that elucidate how places change once you pick up a habit such as smoking. Not only was my intention to raise awareness to this phenomenon, but to showcase its effects on our perception of the landscapes that surround us.
Once I had a rough sketch of my idea, the steps of my design process were executed as follows: choice of font, choice and design of a charachter for the illustrations, interviews, choice of colors and finally layout.
The first step of my designing process was to chose a font. After conducting some research and testing out several fonts, I found that Montserrat was the perfect fit, as I needed a typeface that would complement my handwriting while also providing clear and legible text. Its clean lines and contemporary design provide a modern and sleek appearance that is both sophisticated and approachable.
My handwriting is very round and slim, whereas Montserrat’s clear and legible design makes it easy to read even at smaller sizes. It has a simple and elegant design, with a clean and crisp appearance.
The character I chose to voice my feelings is not entirely original. It is heavily inspired by “Luci”, the personal demon of the protagonist in the tv series Disenchantment, an American animated satirical fantasy sitcom created by Matt Groening for Netflix which debuted in August of 2018 and produced by the ULULU comany.
This character is effective in representing the conflicting emotions one might feel while smoking. The character of Luci is a devil, which reflects the social stigma attached to smoking. Smoking can carry a negative connotation and is often perceived as a bad habit that can harm one’s health. This stigma can cause feelings of self-disgust and shame.
However, the act of smoking can be playful and non-serious, which highlights the dual significance of smoking. This duality is also reflected in the character of Luci, who is both mischievous and supportive of the protagonist.
I chose a chalky textured brush that is very similar to the visual effect of smoke and I employed it for the drawings and handwritings alike.
Reference picture of Luci from the American animated satirical fantasy sitcom created by Matt Groening for Netflix which debuted in August of 2018 and produced by the ULULU comany.
Steps of the first sketch of the character. After a few tries I was satisfied and later on decided to fix the texture and colors.
The second challenge I had to face illustration-wise, was to figure out a way to depict the places in an effective way. Locations are the main protagonists of this project and I decided to blend them with the habit of smoking itself, after a few unsuccesful tries where I traditionally depicted the spot as-is.
The booklet is a reflection of my own personal journey and how smoking has affected my perception of the places I encounter on a daily basis. I wanted to showcase how smoking has a significant impact on our surroundings, both physically and mentally. The locations that I have chosen are not only representative of the average person’s daily routine, but they also hold a special meaning to me. Their commonality helps the message to get through and they accomplish such goal by not getting in the way, by not stealing attention. By choosing places that are both familiar and personal, I am able to convey a message that is relatable and impactful.
The purpose of this booklet is not to glorify or demonize smoking, but to shed light on the ways in which it changes our perception of the world around us. By keeping the message subtle and non-intrusive, I believe that the booklet is able to communicate its message without being preachy or judgmental.
One of the most important steps of my process was to speak to smokers and ask about how their daily routines changed once they picked up the habit. I was not surprised to find out that our experiences have indeed a lot in common and they saw themselves in my recollection of events.
The pictures shown are just a few out of the many I took of my friends while gathering the necessary information to take my booklet to the next step. It is when I started to photoshop these pictures that the idea of isolating the cigarette came to mind and brought me to modificate every illustration and color code the originally white handwritings and smoke.
The handwritten bits are possibly the essential element that infuse the project with meaning. They are the decisive strike that makes the whole set-up live its purpose. They mark the passing of time, the act of re-thinking and going back on one’s track to alter the state of things — they mark change.
University: Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
Faculty: Design and Art
Course: Visual Communication
Thomas Mayfried, Michele Galluzzo, Emanuela De Cecco
Year: 2022
Student: Clara Di Liberto