Innocent
In the March 2021 issue of National Geographic Magazine, photographer Martin Schoeller unveils his groundbreaking "Innocence" project, shedding light on the experiences of individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and subsequently exonerated after serving time on death row. Through intimate portraits and poignant first-person narratives, written by Phillip Morris, this story offers a perspective often overlooked by society. It challenges readers to confront the unsettling reality of individuals being labeled disposable by society, only to be deemed innocent upon further examination.
For the story opener, my goal was to emphasize the staggering number of innocent individuals sentenced to death row while simultaneously showcasing the portrait of individual. This approach aimed to establish a direct connection between the statistical data and the human faces affected by it, ensuring readers could empathize with the issue on a personal level. To achieve this, I explored various design options to ensure the message was conveyed accurately and sensitively. Collaboration with the graphic and map editor was crucial to ensure consistency in the graphic/map. Here are some pages from the story along with sketches depicting the development process of the opener.
Photographer: Martin Schoeller | Design: Hannah Tak | Photo Editor: Kurt Mutchler | Graphic Editor: Monica Serrano | Map Editor: Christine Fellenz | Creative Director: Emmet Smith