TAROT CARD

This project allowed us to select a pre-existing intellectual property and design a hypothetical tarot card set based on it. For my project, I chose the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and focused specifically on the character Asuka Langley Soryu. Within the structure of a traditional tarot deck, I assigned Asuka to represent one of the cards from the Major Arcana: The Empress. The Empress is commonly associated with themes such as strength, confidence, independence, and a commanding presence—qualities that align well with Asuka’s personality and role within the series.

In addition to the illustrative component, this class also included a small but important requirement related to hand lettering. Because of this specification, I incorporated custom lettering into the design of the card rather than relying on a digital typeface. The title of the card, “The Empress,” was created entirely by hand to better integrate it into the visual style of the piece.

For the central illustration, I chose to portray a moment inspired by the climax of the series, focusing on Asuka’s final stand against the main antagonist. This scene emphasizes her resilience, determination, and willingness to fight even when faced with overwhelming odds, which further supports her interpretation as The Empress within the tarot framework. To enhance the symbolism of the card, I designed the border so that it is composed of the distinctive weapon used to defeat her in the scene. This element frames the illustration while also referencing a key narrative moment from the series, tying the design more closely to the source material while maintaining the structure and symbolism of a traditional tarot card.

INTRO TO ILLUSTRATION

SPRING 2024