Kyah Rowley
Colo High School
YOU AND ME AGAINST OURSELF
Graphic Design
Digital Print, PLA Plastic, Acrylic Paint
Levelling up: within the context of a game; to improve or advance oneself. Throughout life, we are constantly 'levelling up' as we conquer our fears. My body of work is an interpretation of my own journey battling fears at different stages of my life, proposed through the narrative within a video game with supporting merchandise. The game's main interactive character represents my present self. Her objective is to protect her younger self from the monsters encountered on each level, where each monster is symbolic of one of my past fears. As the game advances, the younger self matures by unlocking elements of strength and experience, making discoveries and overcoming adversity.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Yusuke Nakano, Ken Sugimori, Drew Struzan, Chris Ryniak.
Marker's Commentary
This body of work effectively integrates action role-playing game tropes with the Isekai sub-genre to create an aesthetic experience that is deeply intertwined with a psychological exploration of personal identity. The graphic and product design tap into themes of self-discovery and the desire for self-reinvention as characters confront obstacles and adversaries. The narrative framework, You and Me Against Ourselves allows for the exploration of various identities, each embodying archetypes linked to the journey of self-discovery. The graphic design operates on a sophisticated level, emphasised by the title's existential quest theme. This is played out in the sophisticated poster and ‘zine’ publication.
The use of graphic design, sticker merchandise, and 3D character designs, reminiscent of ‘gashapon toys’, demonstrates a thoughtful application of anime iconography, reinforcing the narrative of individual discovery. By positioning the characters as metaphors for self-exploration, the design effectively utilises manga's unique visual language to deepen audience engagement with the concept of contemporary identity and the multiplicity of being that gaming makes possible. This body of work adapts Isekai style as a pictorial device to explore artistic and psychological manifestations of identity. The marriage of manga's graphic style with role-playing characterisations reveals a sophisticated understanding of contemporary design and Otaku -influenced aesthetics.