Designing Symbols for Worlds That Don't Exist

One of the things I love about design is its ability to create meaning without using words. A simple shape, mark, or symbol can represent an idea, a group, a belief, or even an entire world.

While working on the television series Powers, I had the opportunity to explore that idea by creating symbols connected to the different abilities within the story. Each "power" needed its own identity, something that could visually represent the person behind it and hint at what made them unique.

The challenge wasn't just creating something that looked interesting. The symbols needed to feel like they belonged together, almost like pieces of a larger visual language. They needed to communicate personality, history, and meaning while still feeling like they existed naturally within the world of the show.

This type of work is what continues to excite me about design. Sometimes the most rewarding projects are not about creating a single graphic, but about building the visual foundation for an idea. A symbol can become a doorway into a larger story.

Looking back at this project, I realize how much I enjoy the space between graphic design and storytelling. Creating these icons wasn't just about making marks on a page. It was about discovering how images can carry meaning, create connections, and help bring imaginary worlds to life.