Breonna Taylor: Louisville Magazine cover

A CASE STUDY

When design becomes witness, and stitches become testimony.

 

Overview

This wasn’t just a magazine cover—it was a responsibility. When Louisville Magazine asked me to create a cover honoring Breonna Taylor, I said yes with the full weight of what it meant. I was one of several Black artists featured in this special issue, and I carried that honor and urgency throughout the process.

Working closely with the art director and editor, I developed multiple sketches and concepts before landing on a final direction: quiet, reverent, and deliberate. A cover that didn’t demand attention, but invited reflection.

I stitched the words “say her name” in my own handwriting as a visual anchor—a nod to the Say Her Name movement started by Kimberlé Crenshaw. The movement calls attention to Black women like Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, and many others whose lives have been stolen through police violence. Every thread, every line, every pause in this piece was intentional.

“I wanted the cover to be quiet, respectful. I wanted her to take up space on the cover.
I didn’t want the viewer to get lost in too many distractions. Her image should be what you see first. And then you should sit with that for a minute.”
— Aldrena Hicks

Read the full Artist Statement.

CLIENT GOALS

  • Honor Breonna Taylor through a cover that centered her humanity, demanded presence, and resisted erasure

  • Reflect the tone of the issue, which centered Black voices and artists

  • Create a space for remembrance, not spectacle

  • Use design to invite viewers into reflection, resistance, mourning and ultimately celebration

CREATIVE PROCESS & COLLABORATION

I created multiple concept sketches—some more graphic, some minimal, some symbolic. I collaborated with the magazine’s editor and art director to arrive at the right visual voice: one that let Breonna be seen fully and without interruption.

I stitched the phrase “say her name” directly into the artwork using my own handwriting—an intentional nod to the Say Her Name movement. That physical, hand-crafted act became the emotional center of the piece. The final design was scanned carefully to preserve the tactile richness of the embroidery and my original sketch work. That process came with its own challenge—ensuring that the stitching translated clearly to print while retaining the quiet intensity of the physical piece.

DESIGN DIRECTION

The cover features a full-bleed portrait of Breonna Taylor, paired with a stitched “say her name” and minimal type. The visual restraint was intentional—Breonna’s presence needed no embellishment.

This wasn’t a layout. It was a moment of silence.

DELIVERABLES

  • Multiple initial design sketches and concepts

  • Final stitched artwork using handwritten typography

  • High-resolution scans optimized for print and digital use

  • Print-ready cover layout

  • Artist statement featured in the magazine

  • Published in both print and online formats

CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Preserving Handmade Detail in Print:
The stitched text was delicate. I scanned the work at a high resolution and made careful adjustments to ensure the texture, depth, and intent were faithfully captured.

Creating While Grieving:
This was personal work. It demanded space, honesty, and emotion. I moved slowly, with intention, letting the process be part of the tribute.

Designing for Reflection, Not Reaction:
Together with the editorial team, we shaped a design that didn’t just look right—it felt right.

RESULTS & REFLECTION

The cover was met with deep gratitude and resonance. It was widely shared and stood as a quiet, powerful tribute in a time when grief was both personal and public. More than just an image, it became part of a broader cultural conversation about justice, visibility, and how we carry memory.

“It gave people something to pause for. A place to look and feel and say her name.”

The TAKEAWAY

I didn’t just make a magazine cover. I stitched a message into memory. This was a reminder that design can be quiet and still speak volumes—and that sometimes, we create not to say something new, but to make sure we never forget what’s already been said.