In celebration of Black History Month, the Brooklyn Public Library of NYC (BPL) opted to celebrate by releasing a t-shirt design highlighting the black family amongst generations and the diaspora. I was approached after entering my design for a library card for BPL centered on the same theme.
The Design
-Goal #1:
Highlight the black family experience
I attempted to achieve Goal #1 by sketching a collection of subjects both old and young/ new and old engaging in various joyful activities (barbequing, braiding hair, etc). My inspiration lied within the shape of the "Black Power Fist" due to its importance in the black community and symbol of strength. Ok. Admittedly the first designs turned out a bit hectic.
The Design
-Goal #2:
Highlight the black family across the diaspora
For the final design, and in order to achieve Goal #2, I opted to utilize the colors of the Pan-African Flag. I was limited to use three total colors and thus, red, yellow, and green were chosen. I removed both the text and focused on one activity that I deemed most universal; the family photograph. I wanted to continue to pay tribute to the integrity of the black power fist and therefore opted to maintain the fist shape sans the wrist.
