Installation Design Visual Systems

Outsourcing the Self

In a world that’s constantly changing, one thing remains the same: there will always be someone trying to convince you they know best. Instead of forming values through self-reflection and critical thought, we’ve long placed blind trust in any authority figure with an ideology to spread. Outsourcing The Self, an interactive installation, juxtaposes rhetoric from authorities old & new, inviting us to notice patterns and uncover hidden intentions in the narratives we’re told.

InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop

5 Weeks / Fall 2025

Sole Designer

Research & Visuals

A drought of independent thought.

In preparing for this project, I interviewed strangers across generations to uncover the “source” of their sense of character. Older participants pointed to faith, politics, and family; younger ones cited streamers and YouTubers. These responses reflected a shift from the physical to the virtual, but also revealed a deeper pattern: self-outsourcing to authority figures is an intergenerational problem. Comparing the rhetoric of past and present figures, I realized many of their doctrines share the same recycled tenets. From influencer to politician: the packaging may change, but the call for blind faith in their word remains the same. In my installation, I was compelled to expose these patterns.

Finding a design direction.

I wanted my visual language to demand attention. Inspired by bold headlines and newsprint textures, I paired Druk Super -- ranging from XX Condensed to Wide, in both italic and regular -- with halftone patterns. As a counterbalance, my secondary typeface, Harriet, adds sophistication through elegant serifs and teardrop terminals. Red, black, white and blue play on political associations.

Side A: Poster

A call for self-reflection.

“Who are you when no one is telling you what to believe?” This cryptic question is the hero of my poster. I wanted to make viewers pause, re-read, then realize there is no easy answer. Body copy adds just enough context, ending on an invitation for critical thinking. Red and blue circles “filter” certain letterforms into halftones, playing on Side B’s interactive acrylic filters (see below).

Side B: Interactive Filters

Comparing and contrasting.

This triple-tiered poster juxtaposes past and present doctrines. Past statements are printed in blue, present in red, with overlapping areas evoking a Venn-diagram effect. Blue acrylic panels reveal red visuals beneath, and vice versa, creating a layered interplay. The board features shelves to rest the filters on, inviting interaction.

“Greed is Good” (Wall Street, 1980s) vs. “Can You Monetize That?” (Content creators, 2020s):
Capitalist credos with undertones of profiteering and exploitation.

“I Am Not a Crook” (President Nixon, 1973) vs. “It’s Fake News” (President Trump, 2020s):
Defensive maxims underpinned by denial and blame evasion.

“Keep a Youthful Figure” (Corset industry, 1920s-50s) vs. “Age with Grace” (Botox marketers, 2020s):
Beauty slogans reflecting body control and obsession with youth.

Public Opening

Inviting audience interaction.

Our design class hosted a group exhibition of our installation pieces, inviting attendees to explore the works. My installation was a hit! Visitors responded enthusiastically to Side A’s type treatment and the interchangability of Side B’s colored filters. Many appreciated the sense of discovery the design offered: the information wasn’t immediately apparent, so audiences were pushed to get up close & personal with Outsourcing The Self.

Closing Thoughts

One of my favorite projects yet!

Working on Outsourcing the Self was a great opportunity to introduce physical interactivity into my practice. The acrylic color filters were a challenge: totally out of my production comfort zone as they involved laser cutting, but essential to the success of my installation. The result was worth the stress, as they are a perfect metaphor for obscured meanings in widely purveyed narratives!

Conceptually, Outsourcing the Self reminded me of the importance of questioning authority and reflecting on the messages I absorb in my own life. After spending so much time with this idea, I’ve found myself thinking more critically about the media and culture that surround me.