From the beginning, my goal was to create a series of designs inspired by my favorite culture, which I could wear myself. Before learning the techniques involved, I purchased some merchandise that sparked my inspiration. This led me to the idea of creating a portrait of my avatar. I decided to use a view camera to capture a realistic yet simple perspective, then imported the image into Photoshop to refine it. By applying a threshold adjustment, I transformed the portrait into a black-and-white image, and through secondary processing, I altered the likeness to achieve a unique look.
The concept behind these humorous print t-shirts was to evoke laughter easily. I don’t believe that everything needs to carry a deep or special meaning. However, as I worked on these prints, I realized that although the images were manipulated to resemble various things, they also reflected my personal growth. It’s as if my personality evolved during this process—starting from a place of silence, experimenting with different styles to express myself, and ultimately revealing my true self.
In terms of the visual presentation, I explored various methods to achieve the desired effect. Whether using a cell phone camera or a view camera, the textures and styles differed significantly, and further modifications in Photoshop yielded unique results. The first piece featured a mask inspired by the game character from Persona 5, with a font style that complemented the art. The font’s meaning was intentionally ambiguous, reflecting my desire to express myself while still being mindful of how others might perceive me.
Another aspect of this journey was my shift in fashion choices. I began to wear more everyday clothes instead of the quirky outfits I had previously favored. This change symbolized a deeper transformation in how I viewed myself and how I wanted to present myself to the world. I also experimented with my appearance, dyeing my hair in various styles, as a way of breaking free from caring too much about others’ opinions. This was a step toward embracing my individuality and trying new things in life.
Finally, I wanted to immerse myself in life and express its vibrancy through words and body language, rather than relying solely on my style. This project became a reflection of my growth, both as an artist and as an individual, as I learned to embrace change and authenticity.