Truism Poster Project
Jenny Holzer’s 253 Truisms Poster Project
Overview
For this graphic design project, I explored the world of truisms — short, punchy statements that feel universally true, originally utilized by artist Jenny Holzer in her series of projects Jenny Holzer's 253 Truisms. I chose the phrase "Bad intentions could have good outcomes", which immediately made me think of the high-risk, high-reward nature of gambling.
To bring this idea to life, I created a poster that visually plays with chance, luck, and consequence — tying in card game aesthetics and casino cues to reflect how even reckless decisions can sometimes spin in your favor. The result is a graphic twist on Holzer's original intent, layered with bold visuals and irony that challenge how we judge intention versus outcome.
Process
My design process started with exploring different ways to interpret the truism “Bad intentions could have good outcomes.” I went through a few iterations where I experimented with layout, composition, and imagery that could visually represent that idea. I played around with elements like dice, cards, and other casino/gambling iconography to reflect themes of luck and risk. Some versions leaned more abstract, while others felt more literal. Through trial and error, I eventually landed on a direction that balanced the boldness of the message with visuals that felt playful yet layered — capturing the tension between intention and outcome in a unique way.
Reflection
This project pushed me to think critically about how meaning can shift depending on context and visuals. Taking a short, punchy truism and turning it into a full visual experience made me consider how design choices — from color to composition — impact interpretation. I enjoyed the challenge of reimagining a phrase through the lens of gambling, and it reminded me that even small ideas can open up big creative possibilities. Overall, it was a fun and thought-provoking exploration of how words and visuals work together.