This project explores the idea that a person’s name, language, and clothing are some of the most essential parts of their identity. “Identity by Design” explores how design can express and highlight these elements in a personal, meaningful way.
Inspired by Fraktur Mon Amour by Judith Schalansky, where typography is used to create various designs, this project centers around the Urdu script instead of English. Urdu is my first language, a core part of my identity that I use every day to communicate with family and friends. By centering this project around my native script, I aimed to stay connected to my roots and showcase the beauty of a language that feels like home.
To make the project even more personal, I focused on the four Urdu letters that spell my name: Ye (ی), Seen (س), Ray (ر), and Alif (ا). I designed 10 variations for each letter, creating a library of 40 designs. From these, five designs were printed in the sequence of my name, following Urdu’s right-to-left flow.
Color also played a key role in capturing my identity. I chose a palette of navy blue, brown, and beige, colors that reflect my personality and everyday style. To tie the project to my clothing identity, I printed the final designs on a scarf, honoring the fact that I wear a hijab as part of my daily life.
Through this project, I discovered how design can be a powerful tool for exploring and expressing personal identity, not just visually, but emotionally and culturally as well.
