As this year’s Creative Director, I want to invite you, our reader, into the rationale behind our visual identity with the aim that you can find a deeper connection to all of what this year’s issue has to offer.

We did not include a theme with our call for submissions this year–all contributors were invited to share openly and with their own voice and unique perspective. We let the pieces se- lected guide us to this year's theme: "visceral," that deep-set, gut feeling that guides you as the world happens around–and to–you.

We pulled the color palette from the pieces selected for this issue. Mentions of cinnamon became our burgundy, paint strokes gave us our brown, and the the kingfisher’s wings gave us our blue. We chose our typography and other graphic elements with the tone of these pieces in mind. We allowed the written pieces and visual art to create a design system which reflects the voices of the artists and writers whose work is included here.

Throughout our process, we were impact- ed by the social and political changes of 2025. We found ourselves wanting a deeper connec- tion with you, the reader, to help us articulate this moment in time. We were drawn to the intricacies of gothic architecture. The duality of wrought iron fences spoke to us, how their sharp spires are meant to keep entities out, yet they hold so much beauty within themselves. We looked to symbolism of the gothic period to find shapes, images, graphics and ideas that speak to the intersection of the protector and the protected. An upside-down sword histori- cally reflects the loss of leadership, a star com- monly symbolizes hope, and flowers represent growth. Through our visual language, we aim to acknowledge what is happening to us, while remaining positive about our future.

It is our hope that this edition of Brainchild becomes a piece that you reach for again and again: to read, reinvent or to find comfort in
a time of such uncertainty. In this issue, we introduce double-sided pacing pages which protect the pieces while inviting you to tear, cut, or rip these pages to use as a bookmark, in your scrapbooks, for journal entries or your own creative process. We hope this book will become something tangible and a piece you can truly call your own.

In my third and final year on the Brainchild team, I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to lead a team of passionate, caring, and creative designers who have worked so, so hard to bring this year’s issue to life.

Brainchild has been a class that I look forward to each week, a welcome consistency at the core of my college experience. College is fundamen- tally about change–in the classroom it’s a flux of new people, topics and coursework, and in life it’s new environments, roommates, and commu- nity. Brainchild has given me a space to appre- ciate art with other people who appreciate art, which I could not be more thankful for. Together we make this creative vessel to showcase the thoughts and ideas of our submissions, and high- light the aura and current state of the world.

While we can’t see what the future holds, we will continue to use our publication to shine light on the voices that speak their truths. Thank you for being here, sharing in our process, and being part of our creative community.

Take care,

Audrey Pierson
Creative Director ‘25

Contents

Design Rationale