Critical Theory: Identity on a Bookmark

A graphic identity I made for Alec's Critical Theory website, using silhouettes of Nietzsche, Žižek, and Marx. It also became a bookmark and a design for beer koozies.

ROLE: Illustration / Visual identity / Bookmark design / Merchandise design
FIELD: Identity design / Editorial ephemera / Small-format print
TOOLS: Graphic design / Illustration / Identity system / Print design

Critical Theory: Identity on a Bookmark project by Shane Lessa

A / THREE PHILOSOPHERS, ONE MARK

I made a graphic for Alec's Critical Theory website using silhouettes of Nietzsche, Žižek, and Marx. It needed to work at small sizes on the site, then at a much longer, thinner proportion on a bookmark.

B / FROM WEBSITE TO A PHYSICAL THING

The bookmark kept the silhouettes legible and leaned into the fact that the audience was probably already reading a book. It also became part of the website’s branding; we carried the graphic over to beer koozies. The archive has the bookmark and mark, but not a product photo of the koozies.

Original blue Critical Theory banner with three philosopher silhouettes — The identity mark: Nietzsche, Žižek, and Marx.

Critical Theory bookmark lying on book — The graphic as a bookmark-sized print object.

Critical Theory bookmark between the pages of an open book — An identity you could actually use to hold your place.