Fading or Thriving
The editorial for SJCC Times focused on the critical issue of underrepresentation of Black students and faculty at San Jose City College. Despite the college’s diverse student body, Black voices remain significantly marginalized in both academic and social spaces. This project aimed to shed light on systemic invisibility and foster dialogue about inclusion and equity on campus. To deepen the impact, I created a layered double-exposure graphic visually representing the theme of absence and invisibility experienced by Black members of the SJCC community.
Objective
The core objective was to raise awareness about racial disparities at SJCC and to highlight the urgent need for increased recruitment, retention, and support of Black students and faculty. The editorial sought to confront institutional gaps and encourage stakeholders to actively address these inequities, creating a more inclusive campus culture.
My Roles
As lead writer and reporter, I was responsible for researching the topic, conducting interviews with students and faculty, and crafting a compelling narrative grounded in personal stories and data. Additionally, I conceptualized and designed the accompanying double-exposure graphic to visually complement the editorial’s theme, enhancing reader engagement and emotional resonance.
Tools & Resources
Process
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Conducted in-depth research on racial representation at SJCC, combining enrollment data, campus climate reports, and direct interviews with Black students and faculty to capture both systemic patterns and personal experiences.
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Crafted an editorial that balanced emotional storytelling with factual accuracy, ensuring the narrative could resonate with readers while remaining grounded in verifiable data.
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Explored visual metaphors for “invisibility” through multiple design iterations. Selected a double-exposure technique to symbolize absence while maintaining dignity and respect for those represented.
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Created the final graphic by layering portraits with abstract textures and subtle color treatments, aligning the imagery with the editorial’s tone and message.
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Sought feedback from peers and faculty to ensure the content and visuals were sensitive, accurate, and compelling before publication.
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The published piece sparked meaningful campus dialogue, earned praise for its thoughtful visual design, and was shared widely on social media, amplifying awareness of the issue.
The Challenge
One major challenge was capturing the complexity of systemic invisibility without reducing individual experiences to mere statistics. Balancing emotional storytelling with factual reporting required sensitivity and nuance. Additionally, visually representing “absence” was conceptually difficult; through multiple design iterations, I developed a graphic that subtly yet powerfully conveyed invisibility while maintaining dignity for those represented.
Outcome
The editorial sparked meaningful conversations among students, faculty, and administration about the need for actionable change at SJCC. Feedback from the campus community showed increased awareness and empathy regarding Black underrepresentation. The layered graphic was praised for its thoughtful visual metaphor, contributing to stronger reader engagement and social media sharing.
Reflection/Credits
This project was one of my most meaningful, allowing me to bring together my voice as a writer and my skills as a visual designer. It reinforced the power of pairing strong journalism with compelling imagery to illuminate social issues that are often overlooked. I am deeply grateful to the students and faculty who shared their stories with openness and courage, and I extend special thanks to the SJCC Times editorial team for their unwavering support and dedication to inclusive storytelling.
Writing, Concept, Design & Illustration: Elizabeth Oliver | Co-Author: Mitchell Pierola | Photography: Stock & archival sources
