This project started because my first design pitch got vetoed. In the moment I admit I was confused and frustrated- but a few months later I am glad that the first edition never came to life.
I spent the summer before this project outside, traveling between national parks, backpacking, gaining experience, and started to dip my toes into climbing. Wherever I went I wanted to know the history of it- and so this curiosity sparked some research. In the Grand Tetons there was a visual timeline of mountaineering gear that actually displayed the gear along with images.
As a visual person- I was overwhelmed by the countless articles that lacked images of the history in my research. I wanted to be able to visualize it all together. So I created this project- a sort of infographic to explain the history of the outdoors to put together a visual representation of the history of things that don’t always get a history book.
I started with a inch thick stack of research- and spent hours mindlessly searching the internet, books, anything for hints at history. I knew that these things weren’t in everyday discussion- but I guess I have underestimated just how hard specifics would be to hone in on.
I sketched everything out, general ideas, and then, I disappeared into the zone of illustration, layout, and design. With some hand done type, a clear color palette, and the idea of how these would translate into screen prints flooded my brain. And I created this series. History of Climbing, National Parks, and Backpacking Backpacks.
The screen printing process was addictive as always, and frustrating as always. Hours were spent burning screens, perfecting the design, mixing ink, registering, and printing. Each semester I seemed to fall in love with a certain project, or a better way to put it is a project seems to fall in love with me. To latch on, take hold, and somehow time and time again I found myself in the studio tediously working away.
The final result is something I am excited to finally get to share and hopefully for those who need, or want, a visual representation of some historic milestones in The Outdoors.
These four illustrations were created to screen print. Each illustration has very specific detail included, and did come out in the actual process of screenprinting. I translated these illustrations and demonstrated how one might use them in a real life advertising circumstance.
To clarify: I was not hired by REI to create these ads, I created them on my own and used their branding guidelines and copywriting. All copywriting and logo rights belong to REI Co-op.
