Weaponized Innocence is a newsprint publication made as student project at the ArtCenter College of Design. It explores the exploitation of children in warfare, combining striking visuals, impactful storytelling, and a thoughtful design. It transitions from the harsh realities of child soldiering to messages of hope and recovery, emphasizing UNICEF’s vital role in protecting and rehabilitating affected children.

Permanent Headline was chosen for headers due to its bold intensity and resemblance to war headlines. In the first half of the editorial, the tightly tracked, blurred, and posterized letters convey the chaos and brutality of war. In contrast, the second half transitions to loosely and evenly tracked letters, symbolizing the hope and freedom UNICEF brings to children.

Pitch was selected for body text, offering a contemporary take on monospaced typewriter fonts that lend a governmental and matter-of-fact tone. Quotes are highlighted in red in the first half and blue in the second, with larger, all-caps type emphasizing key points at the end of each paragraph.

As a student assignment at the ArtCenter College of Design, instructor Charles Lin presented the following context:

Simon & Schuster, a publishing institution with a century-long legacy, undergoes a strategic rebranding following the US government’s intervention to thwart Penguin Random House's acquisition bid. This shift heralds a new era for the company, positioning it as a champion for underrepresented voices and diverse narratives.

Simon & Schuster now serves as a beacon for small-scale and marginalized authors, reshaping the literary landscape by elevating unconventional forms of expression. This rebranding initiative encapsulates the company’s commitment to fostering dialogue and inclusivity, envisioning a literary culture that transcends boundaries and embraces controversy as a catalyst for meaningful discourse.

The logo design utilizes the S from the typeface Voyage – which also reads as an ampersand. The ampersand symbolizes the brand’s commitment to unity, collaboration, and the joining of voices. Just as the ampersand brings together separate entities into a cohesive whole, the rebrand strives to amplify voices that have been marginalized, and illuminate stories that have been overlooked.

Editorial New, crafted by Pangram Pangram, elevates the brand with a sophisticated and contemporary aesthetic. Its lighter weights exude elegance, refinement, and subtlety, making them ideal for sub-headers. The heavier weights make bold statements, boasting lush curves and exaggerated forms for enhanced expressiveness. Additionally, the luscious and curvy italics serve as a pattern system, adding dynamic flair to the brand communication.

The brand voice echoes the harmony of the emotional and rational, the timeless and contemporary. IBM Plex Serif combines components from classic typefaces like Bodoni and Janson into a contemporary serif, bridging the gaps between Simon & Schuster’s long-standing heritage and relevance in the modern era.

Today’s Chinese government wields formidable tools—state-controlled media, pervasive surveillance, and censorship—to maintain its control. This book ventures into this paradoxical world where, amid escalating control, a brave group of Chinese artists employs photography, film, graphic design, and modern art to reveal truths, often at great personal risk. They stand as voices against the suppressive grip of censorship.

Seek Truth was made as a student project at ArtCenter College of Design. See more images on the project website.

Seek Truth spans across 72 pages of premium coated paper, organized into three distinct sections. The first section, “A History of Oppression”, chronicles the historical instances of Chinese citizens enduring various forms of oppression enforced by their government. In the second section, “Voices of Resistance”, the spotlight shines on contemporary Chinese artists who courageously defy the CCP, risking their lives to advocate for free speech and express dissenting viewpoints. Concluding the book, “A Silent Unity” delves into the ingenious strategies employed by protestors and ordinary citizens to amplify their voices within a perilous landscape where any form of dissent poses significant risks.

The poster unveiling the launch of Seek Truth, displayed prominently in Chinatown, showcases a provocative depiction: a defaced portrait of Chairman Mao, with the title revealed through a prominent tear. Overlaid onto this image is a gallery displaying all the featured art pieces from the book, serving as a tribute to the courage and sacrifices of Chinese artists. The tearing and paint alterations were executed by hand, photographed from above. The Chinatown landscape is realized through MidJourney AI.