THERAMENA FERNANDEZ
WELCOME
My journey as a designer began at eight years old, inspired by YouTube’s miniature-making community. I turned a soggy sponge into a "chocolate cake" and transformed my family’s recycling bin into treasures: cereal boxes became wardrobes, scratch paper turned into mugs, and plastic bottles into fountain glasses. The real joy was in creating something extraordinary from the ordinary.
This passion for creating became my refuge during a challenging chapter of my life. After moving from the Philippines to the U.S., I struggled to adjust to a new culture and environment, feeling disconnected from my family and my past. Crafting miniatures gave me a sense of control and comfort amidst the chaos, allowing me to build my little worlds when the real one felt overwhelming.
Over time, this love for transforming the mundane into something meaningful evolved into a broader passion for design. Whether turning old clothes into practical accessories or repurposing everyday items into something exciting, I discovered the beauty in the process of creation. For me, design isn’t just about the result, it’s about the journey, the problem-solving, and the magic of transformation.
Now, as I step into this new chapter, I’m excited to share the sense of freedom and creativity that my miniature world gave me, bringing that same spark to everything I create as a designer.
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POSTER DRAFTS
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When determining the direction for my menopause symbol set, I explored several creative applications that shaped the final poster design. Initially, I envisioned using the symbols in an informational zine or as stickers that users could interact with. Another concept involved turning the symbols into educational game cards to make learning about menopause engaging and accessible.
However, after transitioning my symbol set to a pictogram style, I realized the symbols were better suited for more practical applications, such as tracking tools or medical forms. Inspired by period-tracking apps, which use intuitive symbols for menstruation-related symptoms, I refined my focus toward a medical context. I saw the potential for these symbols to simplify communication on forms, particularly in breaking language barriers and enhancing accessibility.
This shift led me to design the poster with a medical application in mind, presenting the symbols in a format that aligns with their practical use in healthcare settings. Below are some of my early low-fidelity sketches, which helped me conceptualize and refine the final design.
This project showcases my adaptability, problem-solving skills, and ability to align visual design with real-world usability, resulting in a cohesive and impactful final product.
SYMBOL DRAFTS
I began by sketching symbols that reflected my personal interpretations of each symptom. Inspired by the universal appeal of pictograms—particularly those used in the Tokyo Olympics—I decided to develop menopause symbols that could be widely understood. Initially, I experimented with full-body depictions but eventually refined the designs to focus on just the torso for simplicity.
Additionally, I explored alternative concepts, such as representing symptoms through fruits and vegetables or using tarot card-inspired designs. However, I found that these ideas does not fit the target audience. These explorations allowed me to push creative boundaries while ensuring the final designs were both accessible and impactful.