"7 Days" is an autobiographical illustration series and hand-bound manual print book executed across four traditional printmaking disciplines: Silkscreen, Linocut, Risography, and Etching. Developed as a university project, the work documents a life-altering medical emergency that unfolded in Budapest—from suffering a stroke and spontaneous pneumothorax in a workshop to undergoing urgent lung surgery and hospital care. The publication transforms a sudden personal crisis into a deeply reflective, multi-technique narrative piece.
The Concept:
The core concept relies on turning a moment of extreme physical vulnerability into the very medium of storytelling. The academic assignment underway when the health crisis struck served as both the catalyst of the event and the vehicle for its creative delivery. Spanning seven distinct chapters, the book chronologically maps out the author's experience: the onset during a university workshop, the emergency transport to a specialized lung facility, surgical procedures, and the strict routines of post-operative rehabilitation.
Art Direction
The art direction is defined by a monochromatic blue palette, expressive character illustration, and the rich, organic textures inherent to manual printmaking. Shades of deep cobalt and royal blue evoke both a clinical medical environment and a reflective emotional tone. Stylized figurative drawings pair simple line work with clear visual iconography—such as anatomical diagrams, medical symbols, and physical restrictions—to communicate complex trauma with clarity and subtle wit. The distinct tactile qualities of each print discipline are seamlessly unified through hand bookbinding techniques.
Final Reflection
The final outcome is a compelling synthesis of editorial design, print craftsmanship, and authentic personal narrative. By processing a physical ordeal through four rigorous manual print disciplines, "7 Days" demonstrates how creative constraints and traditional craftsmanship can serve as tools for catharsis, yielding a deeply moving and memorable portfolio piece.
