“In the simplest form, solitude is spending time alone without feeling lonely”
Rotting in Bed
Exploring healing and restoration through solitude, self-care, and publication design.
Project Overview
Objective:
To explore healing and restoration through typography and publication design in both print and digital formats.
Solution:
I created a print booklet and accompanying digital publication that centers on the concept of "rotting in bed"—a trending self-care phrase that speaks to the importance of solitude, rest, and mental health. Through thoughtful research and design, the project repositions this internet-born term as a valid and restorative form of healing.
Concept Development
Inspiration:
The project began with an NPR podcast episode titled "How to Slow Down and Reflect Ahead of 2024." The episode emphasized the importance of taking time to pause, reflect, and reset, especially in the face of burnout. This became the foundation for my concept.
Concept:
Rotting in Bed is a tongue-in-cheek phrase often used online to describe doing nothing all day in bed. While it might sound lazy or self-indulgent, I wanted to explore the deeper idea behind it: solitude as self-care. This project challenges the stigma around rest and highlights how taking time alone can be not only acceptable but essential.
Design Process
Research & Ideation:
Listened to podcast, brainstormed around themes of solitude, self-care, and burnout.
Content Development:
Gathered articles, wrote copy based on my findings, and drafted the structure for my booklet.
Print Design:
Designed a physical booklet using typography, layout, and pacing to create a soothing, introspective experience for the reader.
