I will try to keep this short - as you may have a busy day ahead. Whether that is gathering with your family and/or friends in much smaller groups - of course - or over Facetime, wrapping presents, or going on a last-minute shop to buy ingredients for that mouth-watering meal you have planned for the next day.
Whether you are celebrating Christmas or not, you can always take the day as an excuse to watch movies. For those who are working today... I hope the people around you get you into that festive spirit!
As we near the end of the year our thoughts tend to drift to how fast the year has soared by. Whilst confused by this speed, we recollect our experiences and almost sort them into a pile of things we wish we had done differently and another for the times we have been most grateful for. However, the complexity of our experiences due to emotions means that it is somewhat unlikely that they fall into just one category.
Being on this cycle of thoughts has reinforced the idea of practicing gratitude. This year, in particular, has revealed the power of searching and staying under streams of light. It is through this search that we can configure how to remain hopeful and eventually that stream will bend into a river. On days where the air is filled with a thick fog and it becomes difficult to find rays of light, we must understand that it ok to reach out for help.
In the midst of a pandemic, it is clear that there is no one committed to finding and holding this abundance of light other than the NHS staff. I am aware that I will not be able to entirely understand their surrounding environment but reading a few articles associated with front-line workers and stress has provided a clearer image of their varying emotions. Sinking in the information on post-traumatic stress, I couldn't help but pray that these workers find time out between shifts, take regular breaks, and have family and friends to reach out to.
With new challenges arising, it is more and more important that people have enough resources to manage their mental health. Keeping this in mind, I decided to build a colouring-in worksheet focusing on hope and compelling one to take that break.
Flowers grow back
even after
the harshest winters.
You will too.
- Jennae Cecilia
Keep looking
where the Light
pours in.
-Morgan Harper Nichols
You are not alone.
In one of my earlier blog posts, I rediscovered the beauty of annotating poems. This appreciation that it is more than a collection of words and in fact a string of thoughts evoking emotion. This awe arising from reading short poems tied me to the idea of combining text and drawings within my design.
Swipe the images above to read my annotations - hopefully, it is readable! Let me know in the comments if a different set of thoughts came to your mind.
Having experimented with typography recently, I have been able to see that whilst words themselves dominate our reaction the way they are arranged can contribute to our response. During the annotation process, I started to admire specific words within the text. To shape the words into a design, I thought about how I said these words in my head. This led me to experiment with capital letters to reflect the power associated with those words and spacing to indicate the way in which the word is stretched out when read aloud.
To build on my annotations and find clarity in my design, I produced a series of quick sketches. Surprisingly, I found myself implementing elements such as thin lines from my previous work on Japanese patterns and more willing to explore with portraits sharing different features and flowers varying in shape. It is this transferring of skills from one art piece into another that brings reminders of the power of experimentation.
Despite happiness glowing inside me, something was stopping my smile from broadening. At first, I ignored the thought that something was missing; however, as the same thought reoccurred I knew that this something was one I could not ignore.
Unable to configure this something frustrated me, to begin with, but I soon learned that I need to take a step back.
Spending time away from this design project, I was able to understand that I wanted to give people a chance to think more about themselves and really use this time for them.
A note to self.
This was that something - which I knew would make a great back page design and almost complete the purpose of this project.
Which design do you think I eventually picked?
I also felt eager about this design being one that people can keep and simply not throw away once they are done colouring. This motivated me to print the designs as A5. Printing to this size means that people can fit it into their diaries, journals... and carry it with them anywhere!
It'll soon transform from just a colouring-in sheet to their daily reminder.
Despite being in an uncertain period, I hope you are able to learn - like myself - that uncertainty is ok and to keep looking where the light pours in.
You are probably reading this and wondering in what way this was a short read. I did try but ultimately could not go by skipping a few details! You might be glad to know that I am nearly done...
Where this started off as a gift to NHS staff, I want to share this with you too! You can find downloadable versions of these designs just below... and you can finally see which back page design I went for!
Lastly, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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