Algonquin College; Character Design for Graphic Novel on Mental Health

A project created as an assignment while studying at Algonquin College, featuring character design for the fictional graphic novel "The Lurking". The characters were brought to life through a combination of traditional sculpting, vector, and pixel art. Clay was used for the initial sculpting, while Illustrator and Photoshop were used to refine and enhance the designs.

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This poignant graphic story takes the reader on a journey through the struggles of mental health.The illustrations of the novel are meant to evoke deep emotions and connect with the reader on a personal level. The story highlights the importance of self-reflection and mindfulness in finding inner peace and healing.

The story is set in a dysfunctional society that is oblivious to mental illness and the creatures that govern the world in this fictional reality. Mental disorders manifest as physical characters that relentlessly torment the story's characters. These characters represent mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, and follow the characters wherever they go. Their presence serves as a constant reminder of the struggles and challenges that individuals with mental illness face. This unique portrayal of mental illness highlights its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Unfortunately, the community in this reality is unaware of the existence of these creatures, despite feeling the weight of illness on their backs. Ignorance and prejudice against mental illness blind individuals to its reality, denying its existence and shunning those who suffer from it. This lack of awareness hinders individuals from seeking help and ultimately finding a cure.

Social problems and prejudices play a significant role in the plot, serving as trigger components that influence the main character, Emory, to take action against the corruption prevalent in the culture of her world. However, Emory faces challenges in her quest to establish a world of awareness and control due to her own anxiety creature that weighs heavily on her shoulders. Despite this, she remains determined to fight for mental illness awareness.