An Illustrated

Story of 9/11

Web

Storytelling

Illustration

ROLE

Visual Designer

DATES

FEB 2017 → APR 2017

This illustration project aims to create awareness and encourage people to reflect, reconsider, and share their thoughts on the tragic events of 9/11.

Its purpose is to encourage individuals to recall their emotions, fears, and whereabouts on that fateful day and to never forget.

NYC Under Attack

The morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Shocking, Terrifying, and Devastating

These photos show people's raw emotions when New York was under attack on September 11, 2001.

Interviews

Kevin was working on the 25th floor of the first tower of the World Trade Center when the building was attacked.

Kevin Finney

Bruce was conducting a business seminar near Times Square when the first plane struck the Tower.

Bruce Ballard

William was attending a company conference in Florence, Italy. The aftermath of the attacks preventing him from returning home for six days.

William Harwood

The Storytelling by Kevin

September 11th, 2001 is a beautiful morning in New York City.

It’s 8:40am. Kevin sits at his desk in his office on the 25th floor in the World Trade Center.

The building is shaking, debris is falling outside of Kevin's windows. The North Tower was hit by American Airlines Flight #11.

Kevin and his co-workers walk down the stairs calmly.

The marble from the high ceilinged walls is crashing to the floor in big chunks all around him. People finally realize they are in danger and start rushing out of the building.

Kevin looks back at the building when the United Airlines flight #175 hits the South Tower at 9:03 am. Everyone is momentarily shocked, stunned, and frozen in place.

The disaster becomes deadly as Kevin watches people jumping out of the windows.

The South Tower begins to collapse at 9:59 am. Now the chaos begins. People are running for their lives and realize that this was NO accident.

Dust, ash, and debris cause a huge cloud of smoke covering people, buildings, everything.

At 10:28 am, the North Tower also collapses.

Kevin and thousands of other people are slowly walking away from downtown, covered in ashes as the fire and smoke rise behind them.

Firemen raise an American Flag over the remains of the buildings. The hard work of recovery begins but hope also returns.

Web Design

The Live Website was created for people who want to learn more about the true story of the 9/11 event with a case study.

The Process

I landed on yellow and black as my primary colors. They were inspired by New York taxi cabs that to me represent the city. The minimalist style of the illustrations I chose in order to add a layer of abstraction. I felt it was necessary to make the retelling of the horrific events bearable.

A simple mood board and color palette for the website & illustrations.

Reference images for the illustration.
Source: Google images

Before & Now

World Trade Center

One World Trade Center

Source: Google images

To explore Ground Zero World Trade Center on Google Map in 360˚, click the button.

360º Map

A Trip to New York

While researching the 9/11 event during my trip to New York City, I had the chance to immerse myself deeply in the situation, gaining firsthand information and experiences that I'm eager to share with everyone. This was especially impactful following my visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and One World Trade Center.

An Illustrated