003 URBAN SCARS | COLLECTIVE
One of the most compelling features of New York City is its thriving creative arts culture, deeply woven into the fabric of this diverse metropolis. The city will leave lasting remnants of artistic expression, embedded throughout the cityscape and preserving the historical significance of the arts that define New York City.
The Urban Scars Collective represents the bold identity of NYC's story, particularly through graffiti—a powerful and controversial symbol of both art and vandalism, born from hip-hop culture and forever etched into the heart of urban society.
Graffiti, in its many forms, is and continues to be the scar that NYC will always carry—an indelible mark of its past and a living testament to its unfiltered, rebellious energy. It is a legacy that provokes conversation, challenges norms, and claims its place as both an artistic revolution and a symbol of the city’s enduring controversy.
The purpose of the Urban Scars Collective stems from an appreciation for graffiti and the graffiti artists rooted in NYC, as well as an understanding of the various forms of graffiti and graffiti slang terms, celebrating the underground community.
This project was realized through a multi-faceted approach, including photographic documentation, a physical publication, and digital media production.
#8 CANAL ST -- SOHO GRAFFITI
PART I: PHYSICAL PUBLICATION
The zine is main exploration of of NYC graffiti in the Urban Scars Collective. It captures the essence of street culture and the perspectives of those who live it. Built on thorough research, analysis, and immersive city exploration, each page highlights a distinct aspect of graffiti culture with depth and insight.
While incorporating elements of humor, an urban-edge aesthetic, diverse paper materials, and collage-inspired features, the zine creates a tactile and immersive experience.
Urban Scars invites readers to physically interact with its pages, reflecting the city’s spirit through self-expression and free-spirited mindset. The zine reimagines graffiti culture as an art form preserved on paper, showcasing its vandalistic roots and the enduring marks—both literal and symbolic—that graffiti leaves behind.DETAILS
8.5’ X 11’ | 40pgs
Saddle stich
SOFTWARES AND TOOLS
Adobe InDesign
Interactive Mixed Media
PART II: DIGITAL MEDIA | PROTOTYPE
The Scar Site is the digital, interactive extension of the Urban Scars zine. Centered around the zine's visual elements, it invites users to engage with tags, stickers, and quotes through pop-up interactions. This experimental approach offers a deeper exploration of graffiti culture, catering to curiosity and discovery. With a consistent urban-edge aesthetic and layered collage style, the digital prototype captures the essence of graffiti culture, delivering a playful and immersive web experience that reflects its raw, dynamic spirit.SOFTWARES AND TOOLS
Figma
Adobe Illustrator
Procreate
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