For this project, the goal was to create a new paper note system for the United States dollar. We needed to choose a set of individuals that we feel played a pivotal part to United States history in one way or another. There would only be two bills required, but we needed to consider a category that could supply more for other denominations.
I had a really hard time in the beginning trying to get my creative footing on this project. I realized I was trying too hard to make the design look "real" rather than striving to foster a sophisticated composition. I wanted to implement digital components that would add a unique element to the design, but it quickly became convoluted.
Thanks to lots of help and encouragement from my mentors, I was finally able to start implementing some interesting ideas. I used common symbolism and visual language from early Windows and Apple Macintosh interfaces to carry through the idea of tech pioneering in the 1970s and 1980s.
When I worked on this project, I was still coming to terms with my creative process and how to materialize my inspirations into a visual work. I have so much gratitude to my mentors in my design mentors for guiding me to come to fruition. After I got over my fears, this quickly became one of my favorite projects, and still reminds me that I can overcome my anxieties and do anything I set my mind to.
