April 24, 2024
We were tasked to interview a classmate about their ideal day. What would their senses be overwhelmed with? What environment, sounds, or smells, would surround them? Who would they be with, and what would they be doing? Based on these answers and further context about their homes and lifestyles, we crafted a piece for our partner. This could be a letter, poetry, or any written work that could relate to them or potentially guide them.
I chose to write a letter to guide my partner with her worries of the future, and nostalgia for her past:
A Letter for Malaz,
In the midst of life’s turbulent currents, amidst the whirlwind of change, there lies a solace in the relics we gather along the journey.
You stroll through the city streets, where the sun kisses the pavement with warmth, and laughter dances in the breeze like confetti. The parks offer a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the urban symphony. In your closet, amidst the array of thrifted treasures, each garment tells a story. Jeans from the hot and sticky July day when the store’s AC bribed you into purchasing a heavy fabric, and the cute matching tank top you and a friend wear every time you see each other, these relics now hold the power to transport you to another time, another place.
But as life’s tempo quickens and responsibilities beckon, the familiar comforts seem to slip away. No longer do you linger in the parks, savoring the coolness of the grass, or lose yourself in the aisles of thrift stores, chasing the thrill of discovery. Instead, you find yourself navigating through the bustling atmosphere to class, the only potential relief at the end of the journey being the hard stool in the back of the room so that maybe you can lean against the wall and catch your breath.
Yet, amidst the chaos, there is a glimmer of hope, a promise of brighter days ahead. With acceptance and present-living, soon, the hard stools of the classroom will become familiar, the city streets will welcome you with open arms, and the laughter will echo once more through the night. It will feel as though time hasn’t skipped a beat; you’ll find yourself reclining on the soft grass, absorbing the urban panorama, and preparing for another evening of adventuring from party to party in the glistening city night. The only distinction will lie in the depth of your newfound regard for life’s simple pleasures.
After this, we printed our pieces out and were able to play around with the visual design of the writing. My piece looks vastly different from how I originally formatted it in paragraphs; I was interested in reflecting the actions and meanings of the words I used in their arrangement. I planned it out in my sketchbook before moving it to Adobe InDesign.
My final visual piece is below: