Unlock Your Potential
“Unlock Your Potential” was my most cumbersome project, yet probably my most “polished”. Created in Illustrator, each element fits together like a seamless puzzle, winding in and around the scene. I’ve always loved the idea of creating thought provoking graphics, or graphics that combine multiple elements to create a new image or meaning, and this piece does just that. Unlike any of the other pieces on my site, I actually first got my inspiration through the title, or the words themselves. I wanted to include a piece that brought forth a sentiment of inspiration/uplifting. After doing some reflecting, I sparked the visual of a brain to represent intelligence, possibility, potential. Then came the idea of literally turning the brain into a “lock” and fusing the handle onto the top. After playing around with various concepts, I landed on a whimsical theme of turning the scene into a rollercoaster. The symbolic meaning of the work represents the ride of life. The riders contain the key and only through riding the rollercoaster, are they able to enter the deepest parts of the mind, hence unlock the brain or better said, their potential.
This project was made entirely in Illustrator, in which the pen tool became my best friend. By far, the most lengthy task to complete was finishing the brain itself, as each line needed to make sense as far as actual anatomy. Next, I created the lock handle before moving on to the keyhole, coaster tracks, cart, riders, and then finally key. I played around with different track versions as well as keys and satisfyingly landed on the ones you see in the final product. To add another note of playfulness, I decided to give the piece a “paper cut-out” aesthetic, bringing forth a youthful, childlike quality. One aspect of youth is the idea of “what is to come” and growing so the idea of unlocking one’s potential, I feel applies perfectly. As shown below, I included some versions that contain the support beams to the rollercoaster tracks and it’s difficult to choose which version I like most because I feel both versions are strong! All in all, I feel this graphic can be displayed for an array of uses and delivers a valuable message.
