The Nostalgia Project
The word nostalgia means the longing for, or missing aspects of a person’s personal life. The Nostalgia Project is a series of mixed media illustrations capturing individual’s unique and different childhood memories. Through a mixed media approach, each illustration includes different embellishments to emphasize specific details within the illustration. The book and poster help guide us through each illustration; exploring the true meaning behind the memory, and how it was illustrated and embellished. The goal of The Nostalgia project is to explore nostalgia in a positive and meaningful way.
Collecting the Memories:
To begin this project interviews were conducted asking different people what their favorite childhood memories were. A total of twenty different memories were collected ranging in age and gender. Five memories were selected to be turned into illustrations. During this process the individuals who shared their memories told them with great passion and detail. After interviews were conducted, thumbnail sketches were created to get each composition so the illustration process could begin.
Illustration Process:
Once the thumbnail sketches were complete, it was time to illustrate the memories. Each illustration was created using either one-point or two-point perspective. The illustrations were intended to replicate the time period as best as they could, so the memories feels more accurate. They were also created to have a grainy texture feel to them.
Illustration Time-Lapse:
Embellishment Process:
After the illustrations were complete, they were then printed out. To further the point on nostalgia and memories being unfaithful to ourselves, embellishments were stitched on each illustration. There are two different embellishment styles throughout the five illustrations.
The first style was created by cutting the illustration into different sections and piecing it back together. Holes were poked around each section so there was a place to stitch them back together. The illustration was stitched back together using a needle and embroidery thread.
Style two was created in a similar manner, only this style shows select parts of the full illustration. By only having parts of the image visible it created more emphasis on the details. The other section is placed on top of the print, and continues the illustration by embroidering only the outlines of the objects underneath.
Style One
Style Two
Final Presentation:
After all the elements of this project were complete, it was compiled into a poster and a book. The poster is a glimpse into the project highlighting the four illustrations and their stories, while the book includes every element.
