PLEASE TELL ME LESS.

My process began with research, focusing on contemporaneous articles that document Tumblr’s history and impact. Scholarship on the subject is scarce, so these real-time perspectives were essential.
        My  logotype visualizes how social media warps self-image—making “tumblr” small and “GIRLS” large to echo body dysmorphia and the fragmentation of identity online. 
         On the front cover, a black square obscures part of the image, creating a deliberate pause that invites reflection on what is hidden. Inside, empty spaces create little pauses to reflect. Flip the page and the missing piece shows up. It’s a way of playing with the way online identity is shaped by what’s shown and what’s kept back.
        The publication centers on articles tracing Tumblr’s rise and fall, alongside discussions of mental health, body image, race and sexual objectification—issues linked to Tumblr but rooted in broader media history. I let these sources shape the narrative instead of adding my own interpretation.
        Image galleries and article spreads are punctuated by song lyrics from, and photos of, its most celebrated artists.
        The center spread became a blueprint for my poster designs: images of archetypal Tumblr girls treated to look glitchy, capturing the fragmented and distorted digital selves often portrayed online. This subtle visual effect reflects the instability and fluidity of identity in social media spaces.


© 2025 Alex Suppan. All rights reserved.