The Hero’s Journey

Overview

This piece explores the mythic structure of transformation — the timeless path from the ordinary to the extraordinary. It was created for my MMA 100 project, “Transported,” where we were challenged to insert ourselves into a fantastical world using symbolism and personal meaning. Each visual element reflects a deeper layer of identity, struggle, and self-discovery.

Project Scope

Tools Used

• Adobe Photoshop
• Custom brushes, layer blending modes
• Hand-drawn textures and symbolic compositing

Objective

The goal was to create a visually compelling poster that captures the feeling of growth, struggle, and transformation — open to interpretation but rooted in archetypes like the bull (groundedness), bird (freedom), and snake (instinct/wisdom).

Design Process

From celestial elements to dreamlike symbolism, each compositional decision was made to align with myth and modern spirituality. Layers were carefully blended to reflect the stages of an inner journey. Key areas like the sky, hands, and urban environment shifted multiple times throughout the design process to land at a balanced whole.

Challenges

Balancing narrative symbolism with clean design was key. Too many elements made it chaotic, but removing too much diluted the message. Finding that harmony took iterations and restraint.

Process & Visual Development

What I Learned

This project helped me translate deep personal concepts into visual language while refining my Photoshop workflow. I learned how to pace a design narrative, use symbolic elements intentionally, and create emotional tension using texture, space, and light.