Coloring in America

Package Design + Wax Casting

Coloring in America provokes reflection on school shootings by transforming crayon packaging into bullet-shaped crayons, each labeled with tragic incidents, to spark meaningful dialogue and advocate for change in gun legislation.

Coloring in America strives to provoke thoughtful reflection on the epidemic of school shootings in the United States by redesigning a familiar school item. Through a transformative redesign of iconic crayon packaging, this crayon box aims to illuminate a pressing societal concern.

By crafting crayons in the shape of bullets using melted crayon wax, the project prompts viewers to contemplate the unsettling notion of innocent children getting hit and killed with bullets while engaging in the act of coloring. This stark juxtaposition serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic reality faced by students who have fallen victim to school shootings while simply pursuing their education.

Each crayon is meticulously labeled with the name of a school, the date of a school shooting incident, and the number of lives lost during that tragic event. This attention to detail fosters a profound awareness of the devastating toll exacted by gun violence within educational settings.

This packaging sparks meaningful dialogue surrounding gun legislation in the United States, advocating for substantive change to safeguard the well-being of students and educators alike. Through its evocative symbolism and messaging, "Coloring in America" seeks to inspire collective action toward a safer future for all. 

Recognitions:

•Graphex 55 Award for Packaging from Art Directors Club Tulsa, 2024

•Deanʼs Award 42nd Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Oklahoma State University, 2023