Quanshan Zhang

Hi, I'm Quanshan Zhang. As a communication designer, I am passionate about combining creativity with purpose to ensure that every project resonates on an intellectual and emotional level.

My featured project, Take Control Break Free, explores the concept of escapism, examining how individuals respond to pressure and the different ways people create their own mental spaces for relief. Through a combination of interactive posters, identity design, and visual storytelling, I aim to encourage reflection and discussion on how we can find balance between confronting reality and using escapism as a tool for mental well-being.

Identity

The identity of this project is symbolized by the layered spring, which represents the individual's ability to rebound and recover in the face of stress. The layered design of the spring reflects the unique ways of escaping from reality and the spiritual world of each individual experiencing challenges at different levels. Through this visual symbol, viewers are encouraged to think about how to remain resilient under pressure and reflect on escapist behaviors to find healthy ways of coping.

Poster

The poster is a combination of two parts, the upper part, through illustrations and captions, visualises the theme of ‘escapism’, attracts the viewer's attention and sets the tone for the theme. The lower section is an interactive Q&A area that invites the audience to participate in thinking and responding to questions about escapism, encouraging them to reflect on their own behaviour and feelings. The aim is to lead the audience to reflect deeply on their behaviour. The spring is shown being compressed and bouncing back, symbolizing break free.

Social Media

The social media platform aims to lead users to reflect on their own escapist behaviour and stimulate deeper thinking through interactive questions. Users can express their feelings, share their experiences and communicate with others about the positive and negative effects of escapism. The uniqueness of the problem is shown through the different springs.

Jigsaw Puzzle

The jigsaw puzzle symbolises the process of fragmentation of our thinking in escaping reality. This jigsaw puzzle is interactive, allowing participants to put together the scattered pieces step by step, symbolising our gradual process of finding balance in our lives. The spring is wrapped around the chair, representing relaxation.

Design Research Kits

The theme of ‘escapism’ is fraught with complex psychological and behavioural dimensions. The toolkits are designed to stimulate reflection, prompting participants not only to observe their own behaviour, but also to explore the impact of escapism on people and their attitudes towards it through a participatory design approach.

Infographic poster

This infographic poster presents the viewer with a multi-dimensional analysis of the phenomenon of ‘escapism’ through data, visual symbols, and concise text. The colourful and light-hearted visual style reduces the heaviness of the subject matter, leading the viewer to reflect on their own patterns of escapism in life and making complex concepts more accessible through visual presentation.

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