3. LOCKED
Instructor _ Philip DiBello
2025
This project involved closely observing an everyday object and creating a book based on ideas that emerged from it. I chose a lock—small and often overlooked, yet crucial when we need to protect something. The book is titled LOCKED, reflecting our desire to hide or protect emotions, secrets, and worries. In today’s world, our own bodies—like fingerprints and faces—act as digital locks, while at the same time, many people freely express their feelings online under anonymity. The book includes the tradition of love locks and a visual archive of various lock designs. The cover, inspired by the interlocking motion of a zipper, appears closed but has a small gap, suggesting something hidden yet slightly visible. Overall, the book explores how we lock, protect, and sometimes reveal parts of ourselves—both physically and emotionally.