PROFILE

My name is Jing Gao, and I am a Communication Design student at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. I focus on developing communication strategies that combine visual systems and storytelling to connect people and ideas across cultures. I strive to design with clarity, empathy, and intention—creating meaningful experiences that bridge design thinking with everyday life. Outside of design, I enjoy fishing, hiking, and photographing tranquil natural scenes that often inspire my creative perspective.

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03  Say It To My Face — Newspaper Design

Keywords:

Editorial Design, Typography, Visual Narrative, Storytelling, Emotion in Design

Channels:
Print, Publication


Decrisption

This project was a group exploration of how printed design can express emotion and honesty. Inspired by This American Life, our newspaper “Say It To My Face” focuses on the stories people are afraid to tell out loud — moments that are personal, uncomfortable, or quietly human.

We wanted the visuals to feel raw and real. The overlapping type and scratched textures reflect the tension between wanting to speak and staying silent. I helped during the concept phase, giving ideas about composition and emotional tone, and participated in refining how the type interacts with imagery.

We also printed and tested the final piece physically, which made every small choice — the ink, the paper, the spacing — feel meaningful. Working with my team taught me how collaboration can uncover emotional depth in design, and how a printed surface can hold vulnerability and truth.

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