DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
MHL : During the early 1980s, the US experienced a recession due to which millions of individuals were left unemployed. Throughout the 1980s, the cold war, protests, global warming, and the AIDS epidemic, the United States has undergone major socio-economic changes primarily due to advances in technology and the worldwide move towards capitalism. Also, the artists in the 1980s were preoccupied with protest images. Bobby McFerrin's Music, Don't worry, be happy, is a neat philosophy in 4 simple words that inspired many Americans in the late 1980s.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
MHL : Create a poster that expresses a piece of music through typography, imagery, and layout composition.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
MHL : It's a great experience and will always be an important project in my portfolio.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
MHL : The project started in Jun 2019 and finished in July 2019 in San Francisco, and was exhibited at the Academy of Art University in September 2019.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
MHL : This project is one of the essential projects when I pursue my Master's Degree at the Academy of Art University.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
MHL : Typography experiment.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
MHL : Music lover.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
MHL : Gather ideas, emotions, and visuals that would be associated with the song. Don’t Worry, Be Happy, which is a popular worldwide hit song released in September 1988 by American musician Bobby McFerrin.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
MHL : The imagery was projected onto various surfaces, creating a multidimensional design solution.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
MHL : The typographic and design elements were printed on transparency paper and put on a traditional projector. Photographed the images reflected on the wall.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
MHL : The song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy, was chosen to carry on with a series of experiments regarding image editing, composition, and typography.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
MHL : Technology helps designers to complete peace of design and bring the designers' imagination to the real world.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
MHL : Most of the information during the 1980s was communicated via television, MTV, Movie Channels, and media. Also, the AIDS awareness campaign during the 1980’s was designed using the color pink. An attempt has been made to integrate the above texture and the design elements in the poster.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
MHL : There is a sharp contrast between the sad and the despair state of the 1980s and the optimistic adage, Don’t worry, be happy. The contract is also displayed in the music poster that pays tribute to history and humanity.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
MHL : Joining an international design competition is always been my dream, appreciate A'design award and competition to give great designers to be seen on an international stage.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
MHL : I learn so much both on conceptualizing a project and the technical skills as a designer.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MHL : Thanks, the A'design award and competition give me the opportunity.