THESIS BLOG — amichael-design

SENIOR THESIS: BETWEEN TWO SPACES

[AN EXPLORATION OF EGYPTIAN & AMERICAN CULTURE AND THE STRUGGLES OF NOT BEING ABLE TO RELATE TO EITHER]

[SPRING 2025]

[SELF DIRECTED INQUIRY]

WEEK 1: REFLECTION BOOKLET /
JAN 27-FEB 2

We created 5.5 x 8.5 in zines answering questions to help generate ideas on what our potential
thesis topics could look like. I decided to go for something more personal for mine.

WEEK 2: REFINING CONEPT /
FINDING RESOURCES
FEB 3-9

I connected with life coach about where I am in the project. I began working on proposals
and really thinking about what I wanted to discuss in my book.

WEEK 3: REFLECTIONS
FEB 10-16

Worked on finding an editior and used this week to do some reflecting in my journal
about my life and how I contribute to the dynamic in the family.What are ways I keep quiet
when I should really be speaking up? Reflecting on these things helps me visualize how to write
about it in my book. I was also digging into “The Enneagram Map To Your Deeper Self” by Sandra C.
Smith to understand the patterns my personality type falls in and in what areas in my life they occur
the most.

WEEK 4: REFLECTION CONTINUATION / WRITING PHASE
FEB 17-23

Continued the reflection phase & finding content to write about my book. I then took the content
and began writing it out as raw
raw text for Between Two Spaces.

WEEK 5: BOOK DESIGN SPRINT & PRELIMINARY ILLUSTRATIONS / WRITING CONTINUATION
FEB 24-MAR 2

We were encouraged to pick a piece of our thesis and dive into the design process. I chose
to do two interior spreads. I also created illustrations to see how they would fit with the
tone of my writing. I also wanted to play with the layout. In this phase, I was only planning
on making the book in black and white. I didn’t end up going with the second style.

WEEK 6: EARLY DESIGN PHASE / ADDING COLOR TO MY ILLUSTRATIONS
MAR 3-10

After feedback, I realized the black and white illustrations weren’t quite giving the book justice.
This week, I added color and created more illustrations to go with the writing.

WEEK 7: HANDLETTERING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
MAR 11-17

I played with the relationship between the photography and hand lettered type. Initally I went with just writing on top of the photogrpahs but then I switched to cursive for a more personal feeling. Below is my exploration with both. I was thinking of these as potential chapter openers.

WEEK 8: EXPERIMENTING WITH INTERIOR TYPOGRAPHY
MAR 18-23

I switched gears to the interior of my book and tried to land on what type hierarchy I wanted to incorporate. I also wanted to play with the folio and page numbers to see how that could add texture to the overall layout. I also continued with illustrating

WEEK 9: PUSHING THE INTERIOR LAYOUTS
MAR 24-30

WEEK 10: FINAL DESIGN DECISION MAKING
MAR 31-APR 6

I played with the way illustrations go with the typography. I also solidified section openers and continued illustration work.

WEEK 11: FINAL DECISIONS
APR 7-APR 13

I used this week to make small refinements to my book and add a couple more illustrations in.

WEEK 11: FINAL DECISIONS
APR 8-APR 13

I continued refining any handlettered cursive to make sure they’re all cohesive in the book, especially in ACT II.

WEEK 12:
APR 14-APR 21

Preparing for print!

WEEK 13: FINAL DECISIONS / BOOK COVER
APR 22-APR 29

I used this week to wrap up loose ends. I finished the front and
back cover of my book and sent everything to print. I also focused
on wraping up the front matter,

WEEK 14: FINAL PRODUCTION / PRODUCING POSTERS FOR THE SHOW
APR 30-MAY 2

WEEK 14 & 15: EXHIBITION!
MAY 2-MAY 15