Corporate Calories
Project Overview
This illustration was created for an editorial assignment based on a Los Angeles Times Opinion section article addressing the harmful effects of obesity in America. The piece uses vivid, surreal imagery to comment on the fast-food industry's influence on public health, combining medical symbolism with environmental storytelling to create a powerful visual narrative.
Challenge
The goal was to create a full-color, traditionally illustrated piece that not only depicted the consequences of obesity but also captured a broader social critique without relying on literal storytelling. The illustration needed to engage a wide audience while maintaining an editorial tone suitable for a publication like the Los Angeles Times.
Solution
Using alcohol markers and pen and ink on illustration board, I crafted a high-saturation, exaggerated scene featuring an immobilized figure surrounded by the detritus of fast food culture. Medical elements like an IV drip and heart monitor are layered into the setting to emphasize the health consequences, while environmental decay — illustrated through cockroaches, litter, and a dim, oppressive atmosphere — amplifies the emotional weight of the piece.
The use of saturated colors, bold outlines, and stylized textures helps bridge realism and surrealism, allowing the viewer to engage emotionally while also reflecting critically on societal health issues. Through visual exaggeration and layered symbolism, the illustration delivers a strong editorial commentary aligned with the article’s message.
Project Type: Editorial Illustration
Client: Los Angeles Times (Instructor: David A. Hylton)
Industry: Editorial / Publishing
Target Audience: Educated Readers, Health Advocates, General Public​​​​​​​
Role: Illustrator, Concept Artist

9" x 12" Alcohol Markers and Pen and Ink on Illustration Board

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