ORB
role
lead graphic designer, art director, UX/UI designer
year
2023
disciplines
copywriting, package design, print production,
game design, website design, 3D clay fabrication, animation, video editing, UX/UI design, laser engraving
deliverables
website, videogame, 3D-modeled action figures and packages, laser engraved exhibition name plaques, stickers
exhibitioned
UNC Charlotte Graphic Design B.F.A 2023 show
the ghastly problem
Charlotte's fine artists face a variety of barriers that are often hidden or overlooked by those in non-creative career fields. While broader issues like finances and scarce supplies may be at the forefront, artists experience distinct and niche struggles ranging from creative block to becoming lost in isolating social media algorithms that go unseen. You can see that Charlotte has flourished with public art as of late, yet the appreciation and knowledge of the artists and their experience has seemed to begin and end at the physical product we see around us.
the visible solution
As a solution, Let’s turn those without an appreciation of artists into keen supporters with Orb, an organization tasked with identifying and shining a light on the existences and experiences of orbs, or artists, to the public eye. In other words, we look for ghosts, or artists, and show them off.
wordmark
The concept behind Orb derives itself from the form of ghosts that are hard to capture on camera and even harder for the human eye to see. Orbs are thought to resemble the souls of loved ones, similar to how Charlotte artists represent the beautiful souls of our city. They abstractly resemble the hidden and dismissed struggles of Charlotte artists. The spotlight and eye in the logo wordmark display awareness and visibility. With the behind-the-scenes branding and end results, orb seeks to define overlooked experiences and bring visibility to fine artists in Charlotte.
the central website
Click the images to read about the different assets of the ORB website.
the video game
The main extension of the website is Orb: Abstract Meets Reality, a choose-your-own-adventure style videogame where players can experience what it is like to live as an artist in Charlotte, curated from real artists’ experiences. Users truly feel immersed and in control of their experience as they navigate the world through an artist's lens. Users must make choices that will challenge their finances, relationships, and morals with the goal of uncovering the orb at the end. As a playable Beta version, attendees of the 2023 UNC Charlotte B.F.A. Exhibition were able to play the game for themselves in real time.
ORB doesn't end online
ORB has created custom exhibition name plaques that have been made to give to local artists, and that include a QR code to play their personalized experience, bringing the game to the audience when their work is on display.
merchandise
Building your collection of orbs allows for select items at the Storb, a merchandise store with products that push the message of the artist's experience and provide items to help users play Orb: Abstract Meets Reality, to be available for purchase giving an incentive to the community to learn. All proceeds from the Storb are donated to support local artists or organizations.
exhibition presentation
Sound on for the full experience! ORB was exhibitioned at UNC Charlotte's B.F.A. Graphic Design Show, Morph, with a video presentation to introduce the project to the viewers.