Obsessed
Branding/ Web Design
Obsessed is a community that makes intrusive thoughts feel more understood, legitimate, and easier to share. I designed a platform to make OCD and obsessive thoughts more approachable through clear communication, humor, and satire. The project focuses on increasing understanding while reducing stigma around the subject.
Research
How does humor affect coping with intrusive thoughts?
This question was the basis for my project. Intrusive thoughts can be a threatening and overwhelming thing. "Obsessed" engages with this experience in a way that incorporates humor as an effective way to deal with the phenomenon. Humor is seen as positive and helpful in the world of psychotherapy and contributes to dealing with various mental difficulties, including intrusive thoughts and OCD. Presenting thoughts "in light" allows for an objective distance between the thinker and the thought.
Creative Concept
The goal of this project was to present obsessive thoughts and OCD through a light-hearted lens, creating a sense of legitimacy around these experiences and conveying the message that it is okay to have intrusive or obsessive thoughts. It was important to me that the visual language be colorful, playful, and engaging. By combining this vibrant aesthetic with a complex and often misunderstood subject, the project adopts a satirical approach that does not mock the phenomenon, but instead encourages viewers to engage with it in a more approachable, humane, and empathetic way. This contrast helps foster understanding, reduce stigma, and create a sense of identification and connection.
Visual Identity
The project combines bold graphic elements with studio photography to create a visually engaging language that immediately captures attention. While the playful aesthetic suggests lighthearted content, a deeper look reveals the complexity of the subject matter. This contrast reflects the project's central message: obsessive thoughts can be challenging, but it is possible to learn to live with them in a positive way.
