BRIEF: Conceive and realize the artistic direction of a fictional universe by creating an identity coin, currency and stamps corresponding to the theme of this universe.
CONCEPT: For this project, I chose to draw inspiration from the post-apocalyptic world of the video game series «The Last of Us». Set in the United States in the 2030s, the story takes place in a world governed by military forces, fighting against a viral epidemic that has transformed part of the population into infected creatures.
Introduction to the universe: "The Last of Us", originally a video game that recently became a TV series, is set in the 2050s in the United States, in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a virus that transforms humans into violent and deadly infected people. Society is in ruins, the survivors are fighting for their lives while the FEDRA, representing an authoritarian government, confronts the Fireflies, a rebel group seeking to overthrow power by infiltrating the quarantine zones controlled by the FEDRA.
CONCEPT: FEDRA, which is partly responsible for governance in the United States, requires residents of the 20 quarantine zones to hold a passport. This 15-page document contains FEDRA speeches on citizen security, identification information, a map of the U.S. showing the quarantine zones and associated states to trace the passport holder’s movements.
REALIZATION: To create this passport, I first designed the layout in Indesign, then printed it. Then I used a laser cutter to cut out each page to ensure a consistent look. After assembling the pages in a precise order, I bound them by sewing through the holes previously made. For the cover, I used blue card stock that I bent into silver, gradually removing the paint to highlight the Illustrator illustrations. I also yellowed and burnished the paper with dry pastel to coordinate the theme with the object.
CONCEPT: In a post-apocalyptic world, I’ve created a currency based on the scarcity of precious goods such as heals, resources and weapons. I designed three types of exchangeable pills: the red to heal infected bites, the green to replace needed nutrients, and the purple as ammunition. Their small size and usefulness make them ideal as currency, recognizable by their symbol and color.
REALIZATION: To make these pills, I first modeled the shape in white-gray fimo clay, which I then divided into two parts for a two-tone effect. Next, I designed pictograms that I engraved directly onto my creations using a laser cutter, also marking a line to distinguish the two parts of the capsule. The burnt, worn aspect of the cut adds coherence to the universe, suggesting that people can make their own pills with the components available.
CONCEPT: To create stamps aligned with the universe, I selected four key elements: the Infected (red stamp), symbolizing a reclaimed city overrun by nature (blue stamp), the modified American flag by FEDRA with 20 stars signifying quarantine zones (green stamp), and the Fireflies’ symbol portraying their rebellious nature (yellow stamp).
REALIZATION: To create these stamps, I used various elements that I then retouched with filters, light and color adjustments on Photoshop to accentuate details. Next, I drew the shape of the stamps, which I cut out with a laser, then yellowed and burnished the edges with dry pastel to highlight the ripples and reinforce the apocalyptic look.
