I'm Not a Monster
In this case study I was assigned with choosing a New York Times Article and creating and illustration to be paired with the article. Additionally, I was tasked with replacing one of the words with the word "monster" to create a new meaning within the piece.
I chose an article written by an individual who didn't know she was autistic until she was 27. I began researching autism imagery and I didn't like how symbols only consisted of puzzle pieces and an eye straining rainbow gradient infinity symbol. I decided to create my own idea of what imagery could represent autism and I thought of flowers. Flowers come in all different shapes and sizes and they are all beautiful. One flower may have different needs from another, which represents what the neurodivergent community is trying to convey in their social work.
The final illustrations shows a flower creature surrounded by other flower creatures that are lookin down on them. It conveys a sense of what it feels like to feel different your whole life and not understand why. I wanted this illustration to help viewers empathize and learn more about what it means to be autistic.
