This editorial illustration highlights the often invisible struggle with depression that can lie behind a social media façade. In this case, it references Mark Duplass’ struggle with depression, concealed beneath the surface of a red-carpet closeup he shared on Instagram. In a subsequent interview with The New Yorker, Duplass reflected on that post and opened up about his mental health battles. Art Direction: Phivi Spyridonos
Challenge
The project was an exercise in designing an alternative visual to accompany The New Yorker’s interview with Mark Duplass. The original article features a monochrome photograph of Duplass, which serves as a hook for readers by showcasing a recognizable celebrity in a somber setting. However, after reading the interview, I felt that much of the emotional depth could be better captured with an illustration to visually support the article’s deeply personal exploration of depression. With this in mind, I set out to redesign the visual approach. The New Yorker Article: “How Mark Duplass Fights the Sadness” written by Michael Schulman.
Solution
A conceptual illustration offers a more emotionally charged and relatable alternative, drawing directly from the Instagram post referenced in the article—where Duplass vulnerably opened up about his battle with depression. By visualizing this moment as a modern-day distress signal, the artwork speaks to audiences who recognize the often-cryptic cries for help buried in social media posts.
