Blue Prints to Bold Strokes
Project Type: Movie Poster (Photoshop composite)
client: Fictional (Online Course)
role: Graphic Designer
tools used: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Description
This project was part of the Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design on Udemy. The objective was to create a movie poster that visually represented personal reflections on the year 2024. My design, titled Blueprints to Bold Strokes, symbolizes my journey of breaking away from the rigid and tedious nature of civil engineering toward a more authentic and creatively fulfilling path in graphic design. The cracked glass texture, with the slumped figure at the desk, symbolizes the breaking point—the realization that it was time to ascend toward a career that resonates with my true talents and interests. Moving up the staircases represents this ascent, with vibrant digital nodes symbolizing new learning connections along the way. A subtle thumbprint behind the word to further symbolizes my search for a career identity that feels authentically mine.
Process
The design process began with concept planning to visually narrate my decision to transition from civil engineering to graphic design. I wanted the design to symbolize not just a shift in career but a break from constraint and repetition. I chose to render my grayscale portrait alongside blueprint textures to represent the structured, methodical nature of my engineering background. I overlaid a broken glass effect with a slumped figure at a desk—capturing the emotional and mental fatigue that sparked my desire for change. I moved forward with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to craft symbolic elements: ascending staircases to signify growth and progression, and vibrant digital nodes representing new connections and learning in the design field. The wordmark was split intentionally: Blueprints is stenciled and gritty, symbolizing rigid structure, while Bold Strokes is bold and gradient-filled, signifying creativity and freedom. I added a thumbprint behind the word to as a metaphor for seeking authenticity and personal identity in my career journey. The digital staircases are lined with silhouetted figures in vivid gradients, symbolizing continual learning and exploration as I climb toward a more fulfilling career.
Reflection
Creating Blueprints to Bold Strokes was a deeply personal exploration of my decision to leave civil engineering and pursue graphic design. This project allowed me to channel feelings of frustration and ambition into visual storytelling, capturing the essence of breaking free from constraint and ascending toward creativity. I experimented with advanced compositing techniques, symbolism, and custom typography to narrate this journey. This design not only deepened my understanding of Photoshop compositing but also solidified my commitment to finding a career path that feels genuinely aligned with who I am.