Shevitsa
Shevitsa is a type of Bulgarian embroidery that uses traditional geometric Slavic motifs. My capstone project would use these traditional symbols in conjunction with me creating my own to create a whole narrative about my family’s history and the love for my culture based on symbolism and iconography. The finished design went on clothing, similar to how Shevitsi (plural) would oftentimes be sewn into traditional clothing called Nosiya. Since this project was connecting to my culture but also illustrating my disconnect from it, I chose to make the symbol asymmetrical, instead of symmetrical, and screen printed, instead of embroidered, for it to fit my narrative. I printed a poster, a booklet, and seven 10x10" plates to serve as a visual key for those unfamiliar with Shevitsa, Bulgarian culture, or my family’s story. I was so enamored with this cultural aspect of graphic design that I began to wonder: What if I pursued a thesis to broaden this newfound vernacular methodology?
