Open Heart

Open Heart is an illustrative poetry book that explores themes of insecurity, emotional exposure, and the quiet pursuit of hope. The project focuses on the idea of vulnerability as both a burden and a strength, presenting the heart as a central metaphor, open, unguarded, and deeply human. The visual approach combines minimal yet expressive compositions with symbolic imagery, translating internal struggles into a poetic visual language. Each spread reflects a moment of emotional honesty, capturing feelings of self-doubt, longing, and healing through carefully constructed metaphors. A restrained colour palette is used to emphasise mood and atmosphere, while subtle contrasts introduce moments of clarity and optimism. The relationship between text and image is thoughtfully balanced, allowing the poetry to guide the narrative while the illustrations deepen its emotional impact. Through this project, I explored how vulnerability can be visually communicated in a way that feels intimate and universal, creating a reflective space for the viewer to connect with their own experiences.