Jaclyn&Rae - 2023
MILITARY MENTAL ARMOR EXHIBIT.
Now that’s tough.
This exhibit was born from a desire to use design as a vehicle for awareness—transforming a critical social issue into a compelling visual experience. Mental health struggles among U.S. military veterans are often hidden, overlooked, and heavily stigmatized. I set out to bring visibility to this issue through thoughtful design, using form, texture, and symbolism to provoke conversation and connection without relying on words alone.
From concept to execution, I relied on a wide range of design skills to bring this piece to life. I built the entire structure by hand—laser cutting, wood cutting, sanding, gluing, painting, and precisely measuring every component to ensure cohesion and clarity. The layout was designed to guide the viewer through both visual storytelling and emotional impact, using bold contrasts and layered materials to reflect the unseen weight carried by many veterans. This piece not only challenged my craftsmanship, but also strengthened my belief in the power of design to communicate, humanize, and drive awareness around real-world issues.
CLOCK
While it’s widely known that veterans face mental health challenges, this project explores how those struggles intersect with time and space. Drawing from in-depth research and data, I conceptualized, designed, and hand-built a functional clock that serves as both a timepiece and a symbolic narrative. Central to the design is a brain sculpture I originally sculpted from clay, molded in silicone, and cast in resin infused with gold flakes. These gold elements highlight heightened brain activity, symbolizing the neurological impact of PTSD and related conditions.
The hour hand—crafted from the tail end of a bullet—aligns with the elevated brain segments throughout the day, marking the frequency of veteran suicides in real time. This installation is a sobering reminder of the invisible weight many veterans carry, translating complex emotional and neurological experiences into a tangible, thought-provoking form.
EXHIBIT
This exhibit was thoughtfully designed in Illustrator, crafted in a Tempe design studio, and built using locally sourced wood from shops across the city. Each letter was laser cut, hand-spray painted, and sanded with care—bringing a tactile, hands-on quality to the final piece. Despite challenges like an uneven floor and assembling the structure entirely by hand, I meticulously measured and aligned every element to achieve a flawless, millimeter-perfect layout.
The right side of the board presents lesser-known facts about mental health struggles among veterans, partially obscured by a die-cut brain to represent how these issues are often hidden from view. On the left, three veterans share deeply personal stories about living with PTSD, giving voice to a reality many overlook. This exhibit aims to bridge awareness and empathy—urging viewers to recognize the gravity of these challenges and the urgent need for mental health support within the veteran community.