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A descent into creation and consequence, The Tyger is an illustrated zine inspired by William Blake’s poem The Tyger. What begins as an act of creation quickly unravels, as the artist loses control of the very thing they’ve made. The tiger emerges not just as subject, but as a presence, moving through pages, breaking structure, and ultimately turning back on its creator.
This zine unfolds as a visual narrative, moving from control to collapse. Early spreads are structured and intentional, echoing the artist’s confidence in their creation. As the sequence progresses, that clarity deteriorates. The layouts fragment, imagery repeats, and the tiger begins to intrude the very piece you’re reading.
The Tyger uses hand-drawn illustration, a restrained black, white, and orange palette, and photocopy textures to create a sense of urgency that feels both immediate and intentional. The raw, sometimes unstable linework captures thought in motion, making the imagery feel unresolved and alive, while the sharp contrast of black and white is punctuated by orange as a warning signal that directs attention and heightens emotional intensity. Layered with gritty photocopy textures, the work resists digital polish, emphasizing process, material, and the artist’s hand—ultimately reinforcing the idea that the tension of the piece lies not just in what is shown, but in how it is physically made.
This project is an illustrated deck of cards built around narrative, where each hand has the potential to construct a complete murder scenario. Rooted in 1940s-inspired aesthetics, the deck blends stylized illustration with a structured system: collecting four cards of the same number reveals a full story composed of motive, victim, weapon, and killer. Each suit plays a specific role—diamonds represent motives, hearts the victims, clubs the weapons, and spades the killers—turning a familiar card game format into something more cinematic and story-driven. The result sits somewhere between a traditional deck and a modular storytelling tool.
Visually, the project draws on mid-century design language, incorporating bold shapes, limited colour palettes, and vintage-inspired typography to evoke the tone of classic noir. The illustrations lean into this atmosphere, balancing elegance with a sense of unease to reflect the darker subject matter. Careful attention was given to maintaining consistency across all cards while still allowing each illustration to feel distinct, ensuring that every combination reads clearly while contributing to a cohesive visual world.
Conceptually, the deck explores how systems and constraints can generate narrative. By assigning each suit a specific role, the design invites users to actively participate in storytelling, assembling scenarios through chance and interaction. It’s playful in format but deliberate in execution, using design to guide interpretation while leaving room for imagination. The project ultimately demonstrates an interest in combining illustration, game design, and narrative structure into a single, cohesive experience.
