"What's the world for, if you can't make it up the way you want it?"
Toni Morrison’s optimistic words invite recipients to envision a more hopeful world in which individuals are empowered to create change. In the spirit of Arizona State University’s charter, a framework for inclusion and diversity, the ASU Library embraces a year of new possibilities.
Inspired by Morrison’s novel, "Jazz," addressing the active confrontation of racial prejudice and inequalities, and acknowledging the economic and social impact in Arizona of the Great Migration, we wanted to invite others to think deeply about their place in the world and what they might aspire toward in the year ahead.
This card embraced themes of empowerment and transformation, drawing on Toni Morrison’s hopeful words to inspire community members at the start of a new year. The objective was to foster a sense of vision and aspiration grounded in social justice, diversity, and historical context. The design needed to reflect ASU’s Charter and resonate deeply with a wide range of recipients.
The design language drew from Art Nouveau and Pueblo Deco styles, inspired by historical materials from the ASU Library’s archives. A phoenix– a Morrison-inspired symbol of rebirth and community, was featured rising with the Earth in its grasp. Copper foiling and embossed details lent a tactile connection to Arizona’s state identity.
Credits:
Creative Direction: Jennifer Duvernay
Art Direction: Amy Carolyn Watson
Graphic Design: Kelsey Hinesley
Content Curation: Britt Lewis
UX Consult: Jordyn Kush
Project Contributors: Patricia Odle, Kristen Johnson
Produced on NEENAH® Cotton Letterpress 110C (neenahpaper.com) in Fluorescent White, through O'Neil Printing, Phoenix, AZ, and foiling in 115 Gold with Foil Graphics, Phoenix, AZ.