‘Lost, but to be Found’ was my final university capstone project. It is an illustrative book showcasing common Indian motifs through patterns, architecture, and mandalas. It also acts as a guide to symbolism, meanings, and usage of these motifs. The driving force of my project was the feeling of cultural alienation, and detachment from my heritage. I used my own interests in art and design as an entry point into researching the design heritage of India, with the goal of forming a deeper understanding of it.
My book was bound using a strip of fabric from my old Indian clothing, as well as beads and string to emphasise the physical craft and personal connection to the project. The aesthetics were rooted in the bustling atmosphere of Indian culture, with vivid colours, intricate illustrations, and my own script-inspired typography alterations (using the base typeface Begum) for the book title and architecture names. The illustrations in particular were my own personal interpretation of how long-lasting motifs could be depicted in digital ways.
The overall intention of my project was to show that one can use their own personal interests to navigate through a fragmented cultural identity. This project showed that exploring one’s history doesn’t have to be overcomplicated, and a simple personal connection can make us understand ourselves and our ancestors with more clarity.
