Creators around the world have been rethinking and redesigning COVID-19’s universal symbol: The face mask.
Regardless of the many challenges we might be facing at a particular historical moment, the intersections between our social context, design, and current visual narratives can be a huge source of inspiration for new creative projects.
In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, designers, visual artists and fashion enthusiasts have been finding a creative outlet by reinventing the particular object that this crisis has brought to the front: the face mask.
Credits from left to right: @tina_alabama - @yrurari - @ggariba
These creations reject convention in favour of finding a more creative approach to what has become an everyday object in the life of millions. The almost sculpture-like pieces we see across social media are made of all kinds of materials ranging from fabric, wool and plastic to everyday objects glued together and even food!
Check some examples of the creative project @foodmasku below, which has following of more than 10.5k people on Instagram.
Foodmasku is a project created by @theantonius.
Some of the creations are more conceptual. Instead of focusing on aesthetic or technical concerns they take the idea of the face shield to a different level by creating new messages and interpretations.
Credits from left to right: @tatjanadinato - @neyzona - @bioriff
The creative way people have been making meaning from and transforming an object that embodied the idea of a disease is inspiring. It is evidence once again of the creative potential that flourishes in the most unexpected scenarios.