Secret Symbols

Pratt Institute


Project

How do you say what can’t be said when it should be said while not saying it?

Secret Symbols is a covert instructional photography book that showcases an array of discreet hand gestures, enabling users to communicate subtly while engaged in public conversations. The book's design strikes a perfect balance between inconspicuousness and inclusiveness, ensuring that the system remains both stealthy and accessible.

Inspired by the logic gates of circuitry, the Secret Symbols book utilizes only the hand, chin, and eyes to tell the story of how to use this discreet communication system. The art direction enhances the book's overall concept, employing a dark, grayscale, and close-up aesthetic that aligns with the secretive nature of the subject matter.

Each image in the Secret Symbols photography series is skillfully captured using top-of-the-line Nikon equipment and meticulously edited in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. The book's layout is designed for clarity, with text intentionally omitted to maintain the clandestine essence of the project.

As a testament to my design philosophy, Secret Symbols exemplifies the idea that design serves as an opportunity to continue telling a story, rather than simply summing everything up.


Symbol 1

They're Lying


Symbol 2

We Have to Go!


Symbol 3

I'm Lying, but Keep It Going.


Symbol 4

Get Involved in the Conversation.


Symbol 5

I Don't Want to but We Have To.