Information Design
This project was led by that which we learnt in our previous drawing project, 'Drawing to Make Sense', which was rooted in the history of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Africa- focusing particularly on the more personal stories of people who were killed during the apartheid regime. This project required us to create a poster which communicated these stories and considered what value the TRC can hold today, 28 years post-apartheid.
In my poster I explored the tragic story of Nokuthula Simelane- an undercover information courier for the ANC who was abducted, tortured, and eventually murdered. Nokuthula's story, like many others, only came to light years later when the TRC was implemented- after her family had already spent 35 years searching for her. Through my poster, I aimed to capture this story, as well as the emotional trauma which it has caused not only on Nokuthula's immediate family, but their future generations, as well as those who knew her and those who have and will learn about her. In my creative process I also discovered that different tears, whether cried out of grief, joy, or other emotions, have a different appearance under a microscope. This inspired me to represent Nokuthula's story through a 'map of tears', including my own versions of tear 'structures' which represent the emotions and trauma experienced by various people. I also considered the idea that tears are necessary for mental and physical healing. This fact speaks to my design as well as the conditions of the TRC- although the horrific truth of the atrocities which took place under the apartheid regime brought about much trauma and many tears, the truth allowed many families to truly mourn and cry tears that were necessary for healing. In reading this poster, viewers can piece together Nokuthula's devastating story and simultaneously reflect on the emotional trauma it brought about, and the impact it makes in the present moment as well.
My T-shirt design was a basic combination of the tear 'structures' I designed. I placed them in a way that resembles rain- a process similar to crying that brings about growth, or in this case 'healing'. This design is a more hopeful addition to the concept depicted in my poster.
Process Work
Below are three microscopic photographs of different types of tears sourced from the following link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-microscopic-structures-of-dried-human-tears-180947766/
