Rise of the Drones
Project Overview
This digital illustration was created for an editorial assignment based on the article "Rise of the Drones" for Atlantic Monthly. The piece explores dystopian themes and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement, visualizing a chaotic, destabilized city overtaken by drones. Through symbolic storytelling, the artwork reflects growing public concerns about drone technology’s impact on privacy, safety, and society.
Challenge
The challenge was to convey the dangers and ethical dilemmas of rapid technological advancement using only visual storytelling. Without relying on direct narrative, the illustration needed to communicate urgency, disarray, and emotional weight to a broad, educated readership spanning all ages.
Solution
To create a visceral, symbolic environment, I layered key elements such as graffiti warnings, a burning school bus, collapsing architecture, and omnipresent drones dominating the sky. Strategic use of a tilted perspective amplified the instability and urgency of the scene, while a muted, fiery color palette heightened the dystopian mood. Every detail—from the "Machine Don't Bleed" graffiti to the abandoned bus—reinforces the central theme: a cautionary vision of what can happen when humanity’s creations spiral beyond ethical control.
Project Type: Editorial Illustration
Client: Atlantic Monthly (Academic Project, Instructor: David A. Hylton)
Industry: Editorial / Publishing
Target Audience: Educated Readers, General Public, Atlantic Monthly Audience
Role: Illustrator, Concept Artist, Visual Storyteller
Client: Atlantic Monthly (Academic Project, Instructor: David A. Hylton)
Industry: Editorial / Publishing
Target Audience: Educated Readers, General Public, Atlantic Monthly Audience
Role: Illustrator, Concept Artist, Visual Storyteller
