Sweet Delusions
Project Type
Senior Thesis
Year
2025
Sweet Delusions examines how political control shaped nostalgia among generations of Russians during the Soviet era, influencing the design of candy wrappers that distorted the realities of everyday life. The bright and colorful illustrations draw from late 1800s folk culture but were designed to evoke nostalgia for a pre-Soviet past that had long since disappeared, distracting from the harsh realities of communist control.
Nostalgia is a powerful tool that can distort and trick a population into remembering a version of life that is neither fully accurate nor reflective of present reality. When applied to candy, a product often consumed by young children who are more vulnerable to influence, that attraction and recognition can begin at an early age.
In the early 1900s, after the Imperial family was assassinated, a communist, authoritarian government took control, nationalized industry, and centralized production and distribution, shaping what people could access. Under Marxism-Leninism, the state’s ideology extended into everyday life, shaping the imagery and design of mass-produced goods as a part of a larger message about identity and belonging. Under the Soviet Government, The Red October brand had full control over what was produced, and the visual clues in illustration type, beauty standards, and national branding reflect this. The purpose of Sweet Delusions is to expose the reality of life in the Soviet Union, the Communist Party's repression, and how it pushed a manufactured narrative of happiness through nostalgic imagery through the display of three enlarged candy bars.
Sweet Delusions
Project Type
Senior Thesis
Year
2025
Sweet Delusions examines how political control shaped nostalgia among generations of Russians during the Soviet era, influencing the design of candy wrappers that distorted the realities of everyday life. The bright and colorful illustrations draw from late 1800s folk culture but were designed to evoke nostalgia for a pre-Soviet past that had long since disappeared, distracting from the harsh realities of communist control.
Nostalgia is a powerful tool that can distort and trick a population into remembering a version of life that is neither fully accurate nor reflective of present reality. When applied to candy, a product often consumed by young children who are more vulnerable to influence, that attraction and recognition can begin at an early age.
In the early 1900s, after the Imperial family was assassinated, a communist, authoritarian government took control, nationalized industry, and centralized production and distribution, shaping what people could access. Under Marxism-Leninism, the state’s ideology extended into everyday life, shaping the imagery and design of mass-produced goods as a part of a larger message about identity and belonging. Under the Soviet Government, The Red October brand had full control over what was produced, and the visual clues in illustration type, beauty standards, and national branding reflect this. The purpose of Sweet Delusions is to expose the reality of life in the Soviet Union, the Communist Party's repression, and how it pushed a manufactured narrative of happiness through nostalgic imagery through the display of three enlarged candy bars.
Sweet Delusions
Project Type
Senior Thesis
Year
2025
Sweet Delusions examines how political control shaped nostalgia among generations of Russians during the Soviet era, influencing the design of candy wrappers that distorted the realities of everyday life. The bright and colorful illustrations draw from late 1800s folk culture but were designed to evoke nostalgia for a pre-Soviet past that had long since disappeared, distracting from the harsh realities of communist control.
Nostalgia is a powerful tool that can distort and trick a population into remembering a version of life that is neither fully accurate nor reflective of present reality. When applied to candy, a product often consumed by young children who are more vulnerable to influence, that attraction and recognition can begin at an early age.
In the early 1900s, after the Imperial family was assassinated, a communist, authoritarian government took control, nationalized industry, and centralized production and distribution, shaping what people could access. Under Marxism-Leninism, the state’s ideology extended into everyday life, shaping the imagery and design of mass-produced goods as a part of a larger message about identity and belonging. Under the Soviet Government, The Red October brand had full control over what was produced, and the visual clues in illustration type, beauty standards, and national branding reflect this. The purpose of Sweet Delusions is to expose the reality of life in the Soviet Union, the Communist Party's repression, and how it pushed a manufactured narrative of happiness through nostalgic imagery through the display of three enlarged candy bars.
Logo Development
The goal was to create a mark that communicates urgency while maintaining a sense of optimism and clarity. The hourglass was chosen as the central visual element to represent both the limited nature of clean water as a resource and the diminishing time available to address the crisis. As a universally recognized symbol of time, the hourglass reinforces urgency while also suggesting that change is still possible if action is taken.
The use of negative space within the logo enhances visual tension, reinforcing the implied urgency of the issue.
System Studies
Beyond the primary mark, system studies were developed to explore how components of the logo could expand into patterns and graphic elements. These extensions allow the brand to function dynamically without overusing the logo itself.
Brand Standard
After finalizing the mark, a comprehensive set of brand standards was created. These guidelines outline logo sizing, clear space requirements, color application, and typographic recommendations to ensure consistency and scalability across print, digital, and environmental contexts.
After finalizing the mark, a comprehensive set of brand standards was created. These guidelines outline logo sizing, clear space requirements, color application, and typographic recommendations to ensure consistency and scalability across print, digital, and environmental contexts.
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