MacEwan Book of the Year Design Series:

"Foe"

Abstract

The postcard design was created to embody each of the three main characters’ essence. Throughout the story, we are presented with hints that suggest ideas of importance to take note of as to fully understand the final events that will unfold.  Junior’s postcard design was to embody this idea of desire, desire to feel something, to feel alive. The chosen image was of a bathroom, which is a recurring place wherein Junior would try and do extreme things to inflict pain upon himself. This can be seen as a way of him creating a sense of validity that he is alive and he is Junior. Which suggests that in a way he knows he is a replacement. In the case of Hen, The chosen image is that of a bound woman. This imagery is backed up by Hen’s cold interactions and seemingly instances of venting out her frustrations to the replacement Junior. Her sense of longing for freedom and a chance to be given a voice within this relationship is felt throughout the story, and with this finally leading up to her decision of leaving in the end.   As for Terrence, the design direction was to fully encapsulate his disruptive presence whenever he shows up in the story. through the orientation of the postcard to the grim smile. This facade of passion for his work is pretty much all we know about him, whether this is his entirety or not we will never know. Thus the choice of this deep darkness surrounding him, which amplifies this sense of mystery and the unknown that he and the organization he is representing exudes out from the very pages of the book itself.

Department: Design Studies

Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pacher