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Jaiwon Lee

BFA in Graphics — Graphic Design
Course:
402 Advanced Print Studio 7
Faculty:
Stephen Serrato

Street Poets

Street Poets is a non-profit organization in L.A. that invites schools, youths in probations, and adults to make and share poetry & music to build community and express themselves. The identity system inspired by street signs in L.A. streets in a diverse languages and typography.
Learning Outcomes:
Making an identity for a nonprofit organization felt meaningful and I learned how graphic design is a tool of curating their works and impact on the society, and that graphic design is part of the big picture of their mission.
Direction 1. I started my first practice by taking photos of typography and images on the street with the idea that the city is filled with words, communication, poetry, etc.
Direction 2. The second direction is visualizing glyphs/letters as streets, inspired by concrete poetry where it utilizes repetition and flow of letterforms.
Direction 3. This direction started with vertically written "street poets" and finding chaotic rhythm of the language that reminded me of streets and intersections.
This is a final direction that I landed on—I was inspired by signs, banners, and typography of downtown L.A., where the system allows Street Poets to display their language (poem, slogan, message), images, etc.
"Motion in Van" is a mobile performance venue and a recording studio where they create a community to share music and poetry. The poster series communicates through graphics that reflect street signs.
The brochure showcases monthly issues from Street Poets that showcase different social topics & conversations to educate their members—from kids to young adults.