Sarah Edmands Martin

DESIGNER

Associate Professor
University of Notre Dame

Designer, artist, and scholar working at the intersection of visual communication design, critical fabulation, and media aesthetics. 


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30th Annual Crawfish Boil

Animation, illustration 2016
An animated poster and print promotional pieces created to promote the 30th Annual Crawfish Boil at the University of Notre Dame.





Concept


This promotional material was created for the 30th Annual Crawfish Boil hosted by the Design programs at the University of Notre Dame in 2017. The animated graphic takes a creative and illustrative approach, featuring a hand-drawn, vintage-style depiction of a crawfish that dynamically morphs between an external anatomical sketch and an internal dissection view. This transformation adds a scientific yet artistic flair, reflecting both the cultural significance of the event and the design program’s emphasis on detailed craftsmanship and visual storytelling.


illustration
promotional material
animation
after effects
animated poster

Graphis merit winner in poster design
published in 2018 Design Annual 







    The monochromatic, ink-like aesthetic evokes traditional scientific illustrations, lending a timeless quality while maintaining a contemporary appeal through animation. The smooth transitions between anatomical layers add an engaging, almost mesmerizing effect, ensuring that the visual captures attention in digital and social media promotions. The subtle grainy texture in the background enhances the organic feel, reinforcing themes of tradition, craftsmanship, and authenticity associated with both the event and the design discipline.

    The use of a square frame with a minimal border provides a contained, gallery-like presentation, allowing the crawfish to remain the focal point. The looping nature of the animation ensures continuous engagement, making it particularly effective for social media, where motion graphics tend to stand out in feeds.

    Overall, the design successfully blends scientific illustration with modern digital animation techniques, making it a distinctive and visually compelling promotional piece for the annual Crawfish Boil. It reflects both the hands-on nature of the event and the artistic skill of the design program, reinforcing the connection between design, tradition, and community.