Overview
The Tesla Cards project aimed to create a set of 12 cards featuring Nikola Tesla. It used a historical Surrealist game to develop innovative visual, verbal, and design content.
The project expanded the visual vocabulary, conceptual ability, and knowledge of managing a design system.
Extensive research on Nikola Tesla and connecting with contemporary popular culture were crucial aspects of the project.
Methods
The inquiry and visual decisions for this project were derived from a historical Surrealist game developed by Philippe Audouin, a Surrealist from the early 20th century. The game employed the literary/visual device of analogy as the method for producing visual content about a contemporary or historical hero or villain.Design Process
The project involved researching Nikola Tesla's life, achievements, and impact to understand his persona and identify key concepts for visual communication. Initial ideas were generated by exploring analogies and associations related to Tesla's work, personality, and contributions.
These ideas are then translated into visually engaging elements and incorporated into the card design, balancing aesthetics and functionality.
Throughout the process, there were iterations and refinements to enhance visual communication and ensure cohesiveness within the card set, incorporating feedback from peers and faculty.
Conclusion
The Tesla Cards project provided valuable insights into the systemic nature of communication design in a contemporary context. It demonstrated the importance of research, concept development, and visual execution in creating a cohesive and engaging design system. The iterative process and feedback from peers and faculty members helped refine the designs and enhance the overall outcome of the project.