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Shuwen Ding

BFA in Graphics — Graphic Design
Faculty:
Cheri Gray

Silent Thaw: Fukushima

More than a decade has passed since the nuclear accident in Fukushima, and the question of how residents have rebuilt their lives after the disaster remains poignant. To narrate this story, the publication design uses typography and photography sequencing to capture the emotional essence of Fukushima's recovery journey. It also heightened awareness regarding the environmental repercussions of nuclear accidents.
Project Website:
https://shuwending.design/silent-thaw
The book opens with a tightly cropped map of Japan, highlighting the area affected by the disaster. This serves to teach readers about the significant impact a small location can have on a broader society.
Inspired by radiation tests, the narrow columns of bars, along with photography that adopts this concept, serve as a textured motif throughout the book.
Fukushima is a region that has been isolated for years, is depicted through clear films inserted across various sections of the document to convey this concept.
Despite limited human return, Fukushima's environment is vividly rebounding. Working within a narrow framing, the imagery captures the lively landscapes of Fukushima, offering a glimpse into its natural resurgence.
The interview articles feature a distinct layout, where the verticality of the typography echoes the regrowth of trees in the years following the disaster, symbolizing resilience and renewal.