Hello, I'm Kayla Volner

Concept & Story: 

"Thank You Doctor!" is a passion project that was born out of a very sensitive moment in my life. After nearly a decade of living with a mystery illness, invisible to most medical specialists, I had all but given up on finding the actual reason for my suffering. That is, until a routine dental check-up. My dentist, whom I had just met for the first time that day after moving to a new dental clinic, took a look at my panoramic x-ray, something incredibly routine, and found that I was living with a rare disease called Eagle Syndrome, something that affects only a 16th of a percent of the population. Due to his diagnosis, I was able to get treatment for the disease and go back to living a normal life. He saved my life in more ways than one, and I wanted to honor that. 

Design Intent & Execution:

My objective was to turn the clinical medical experience into a heroic, iconic story that would pair well with a thank you card. I selected Retro Pop Art, similar to mid-century comic books, to place the dentist in the role of a "hero." The high contrast of the blues and creams with the use of traditional halftones creates a tactile, printed poster feel. This style is friendly, accessible, and full of life. 

Technical Details: 

• Software: Created entirely in Adobe Illustrator

• Techniques: I utilized precision vector line-work and a layered halftone dot system to achieve a vintage "newsprint" texture. 

Impact & Takeaway: 

This project is meant to show my capacity to break down a intricate, high-stakes personal story into an outstanding, marketable form of illustration. It shows that my designs are driven by empathy, hope, and intentionality, and that the most ordinary moments can be transformed into an object of art that is incredibly significant.