The assignment was to design a poster for a talk on adolescents with scoliosis, how to manage not only the physical but also the emotional expectations.

Using pencils as a metaphor for the adolescent peer group, by creating a subtle curve to indicate scoliosis in one, shows how it can stand out from the rest. Kids that have to wear a scoliosis spinal brace full-time feel self conscious about being different. Depending on the severity of the curve, many have to wear a brace for several years.

The result is an image that shows a common object that’s altered to show it’s difference, but does not effect its utility.