It's Time! It's My Time.
Feiya Zuo
The transition to adulthood is often fraught with anxiety and a sense of confusion, primarily due to the pressures of the societal frame or "social clock," which dictates the milestones and timelines individuals are expected to follow. This social clock creates a ubiquitous standard against which personal progress is measured.
In response to this kind of anxiety and the pervasive feeling of being lost or falling behind when our life path does not align with societal expectations, my response employs the form of two books to reflect the societal pressures depicted through the social clock in China, using a triage of colors to signify the urgency levels of societal norms and the resultant anxiety faced in different life periods. To deal with that existential dilemma in the lifespan of a person, the second book provides a personal narrative that documents a day in my life, capturing what I have seen, felt, and experienced in the mundane. Through a simplistic design approach, utilizing typography and a calm blue color palette reflecting the sky and nature, it emphasizes my presence. This duality in design not only contrasts but also complements the thematic essence of my work: it’s a journey from the external pressures of societal expectations to an internal focus on personal feelings and experiences.
This practice is not merely a coping mechanism but a philosophical stance that emphasizes the value of individual experience and the intrinsic worth of the present moment over societal expectations of people.