A layout based off a narrative that explores mental illness, trauma, and isolation through a psychological lens. Each design detail reflects the protagonists emotional journey from repetition, distortion, and moments of fragile beauty that is suffocating through the despair.
The Paralysis Within
Programs
Illustrator and InDesign
Project Type
Book Layout Design
Purpose
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design Course Project
Year
2025
Images sourced from Pexels.com and AdobeStock.com
Characters
Evelyn Carter (Protagonist): A 35-year-old wife and mother, trapped in the suffocating grip of her traumas and depression. She craves connection, yet every attempt to reach out leaves her more isolated.
Daniel Carter (Antagonist): Evelyn’s husband, a man hiding behind charm and habit. A functioning alcoholic, who masks guilt with anger and denial. To Evelyn, he is her comfort and her curse.
The Presence: A shadow of Evelyn’s trauma. It lingers in corners, whispering in her ear. Whether it’s a ghost, her subconscious, or the weight of her own mind it is never clear.
Setting the Mood
A dimly lit house, once a home, now feels like a prison. Dust settles on forgotten memories; family photos, untouched meals, a couch that holds only silence. The air is thick with the remnants of broken trust and whispered lies. Shadows stretch unnaturally across the walls, and time drags endlessly, mirroring Evelyn’s own descent. Outside, life moves on, oblivious to her suffering. Inside, she is drowning.
The palette sticks to blacks, whites, and deep blues to emphasize emptiness and tension. A reminder of pain, memory, or something she can’t quite escape. The contrast helps mirror the intensity of Evelyn’s inner world.
A Splash of Color
Viktorie brings a raw, handwritten feel that mirrors Evelyn’s emotional state. Omnes acts as the stabilizer, keeping the layouts readable and grounded. Together, they balance fragility and structure in the story.
Typography to Match
The early sketch layout tested how far I could push imbalance and negative space without losing readability, Each idea explored how the page itself could show Evelyn’s unraveling. These sketches became the backbone of the book’s visual tension.
Layout Sketches
Digitizing the concepts let me play with pacing, layering, and subtle distortion. The pages become a mix of clear storytelling and chaotic emotion. The layout shifts mimic how Evelyn’s thoughts slip in and
out of control.
Digital Drafts
The first version leaned into soft photography and minimal layout to show vulnerability. It captured the emotional tone but didn’t feel as intense as the story needed. Still, it set the groundwork for the final direction.
First Iteration
The final direction pushed everything further; darker textures, sharper contrast, and heavier emotional beats. the pacing became more intentional, almost like a slow spiral downward. This version captures the psychological horror of Evelyn’s experience more honestly.
Final Design
The goal of this book layout was to visualize mental decline and trauma through typography, pacing, and imagery. I wanted the design to feel emotionally honest and immersive, mirroring the psychological horror tone of the story.
