Focus
Tools
Figma, Figjam
Indesign
Photoshop
Illustrator
Graphic Design
Design Research
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Timeline
Research: 2 months
Design: 2 weeks
Research: 2m
Design: 2w
Imposters Anonymous
Imposters Anonymous is a research driven book about the prevalence of imposter syndrome at Pratt Institute. Through investigating recurring patterns, triggers, and support systems, I explore how imposter syndrome manifests in students’ academic and emotional lives. By sharing insights and student narratives, this book helps students feel seen, and guides faculty towards fostering supportive learning environments.
Research
I spoke to students, school counselors, and professors to understand how imposter syndrome is experienced, recognized, and addressed throughout multiple layers of the school system. My interviews were structured in three phases: defining imposter syndrome, exploring personal experiences, and visualizing potentials for change. I asked questions like, “What does the word ‘imposter’ bring to mind?”, “Have you ever received a grade or critique that did not match how you feel about your own work?" And, “What do you wish your students / professors could understand about this experience?". One consistent insight was:
Imposter syndrome can emerge from a mismatch between how others perceive you, and how you perceive yourself.​
To explore this insight, I designed a cultural probe: I printed a poster of a face on clear vinyl paper and hung it on school bathroom mirrors, inviting students to embody the “imposter” disguise. Inside of the face, they mapped how they see themselves; outside, they described how others see them, revealing the identity gap that fuels imposter syndrome.
Design Process
This design language highlights sharp angles, contrasting colors, fragmented focus, and bold, unyielding shapes to mimic the anxious, persistant voice of imposter syndrome.
Aa
Helvetica
Design
Invalidation
Identity
