social media

Starting with the creation of Myspace, I delve into my history with loneliness and the new "Social Photo" as defined by social media theorist, Nathan Jurgensen. Thinking about our new form of communication and the history of the photograph, I look at how the work of photographers Nan Goldin and Bill Owens approach truth in their work. Comparing our common desire for connection to an image that depicts an honest reality, I approach my work as a photographic installation artist with the background of social media. Equating this form of experience to the creation of the Disneyland theme park, viewed as the crux of the new social image, I examine how experience is upheld on social platforms that perpetuates loneliness, boredom, and consumerism in our app-obsessed time of post truth, and how those thoughts can change if we learn from those experiences and sit with our difficult emotions.

This thesis attempts to broaden the discussion of the phenomenon of images naturally becoming the face of movements and how technology and the Internet has increased global awareness of serious situations with videos, sound recordings, and still images. We form a relationship to these violent and disobedient stories through the narrative in the image and this begins to transcend into a critique and a movement through (Internet) activism. The extensive research spanned across various platforms and interacts with the work directly. This work is a prototype towards creating various outlets for accessibility so people can be connected with it.

This thesis aims to accomplish two primary questions: How can we help those who are struggling feel less alone? How can a graphic designer use existing skills to encourage a dialogue that favors truth of experience and raises awareness surrounding mental health? Expert interviews, an anonymous essay-style survey that questions participants about times of struggle, and extensive research were used to investigate these questions. The resulting thesis examines our society's predilection for positivity and the resulting absence of stories of struggle; performativity of identity fueled by a desire to present an aspirational self, particularly within the realm of social media; the concept of a safe space within which to both share and practice active listening; and the notion that graphic designers can act as change agents by practicing design for social impact. The resulting prototype campaign, The Reveal Project, aims to normalize struggle by challenging stigmas, shifting attention to the pervasiveness of suffering, and creating a community by allowing for opportunities in which we can connect through emotional learning.