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Illustration by Rohan Adel
A significant step in the identity formation process within young adults is differentiation, where a teen pursues their own unique and autonomous sense of self.  This illustration explores this idea through considering the convention of orphans in young adult literature, and the empowering autonomy these types of characters (Harry Potter, The Boudelaire Orphans, Bruce Wayne, Tom Sawyer, etc.) suggest due to them being thrust into an adults world and making life changing adult-like decisions.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
One of popular culture’s biggest archetypes is that of the imposing authority figure which are typically speaking, teachers. A young adult encounters a number of these authoritative characters such as: Ms. Finster (Disney’s Recess), Severus Snape (Harry Potter), and Agatha Trunchbull (Matilda). This illustration explores this archetype in visualizing the perception of a principal as a villainous entity in the reflection of a mirror.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
Popular culture is quick to showcase teens in a relationship, which often results in a perceived need to be in a relationship. This piece explores such a perception in context to the convention of the ‘Make out Point’ (seen in works such as Friday Night Lights, Dirty Dancing, etc.) contrasting idealized perceptions of romance with the reality of the awkwardness that is present in teen relationships due to identities that have not yet fully developed.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
Cultural pop media is a significant influence to a perception of cultural identity within young adults. Through referencing the visual aesthetic and filmmaking conventions of Bollywood and synthesizing them to a Sari, this work explores how Bollywood influences immigrant teens undergoing diaspora.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
The post-humanist theory of multiplicity in identity formation suggests that: due to increased exposure and interaction with technology and media, one is able to experience and experiment with various identities through different media. This work references video game conventions, particularly a character select screen, and invokes a hybrid style of rendered digital illustration with pixel art and limited animation to invoke a sense of nostalgia in selecting characters, and taking on and experimenting with their identities while gaming.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
Social identity is something that holds a massive importance to the developing identity of an adolescent, as they are able to craft the type of person they want to be and how they wish to be seen by others. This is often determined through music taste as music, seeing various subcultures (each with their own values, aesthetics, cultures, etc.), often acts as a social badge allowing for an accurate perception of others.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
This piece explores the identification of family, a facet of identity adolescents often undergo challenges with, through commenting on the contemporary sitcom tropes exemplified in works such as the Simpsons (parodied in this work) and contrasting them to traditional family values communicated in popular culture works such as Normal Rockwell’s Freedom From Want.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
This diptych references and comments on the ‘Billy Eliot Trope’ (aptly named after the film Billy Eliot) which explores storylines of male and female characters who are expected to take part in and conform to ideologies and activities that are traditionally understood as male or female. Often these teens take interest in hobbies that are identified as the opposing gender, which influences a certain empowering perception of gender identity in that it is no longer simply defined by its traditional connotations.
Illustration by Rohan Adel
This diptych references and comments on the ‘Billy Eliot Trope’ (aptly named after the film Billy Eliot) which explores storylines of male and female characters who are expected to take part in and conform to ideologies and activities that are traditionally understood as male or female. Often these teens take interest in hobbies that are identified as the opposing gender, which influences a certain empowering perception of gender identity in that it is no longer simply defined by its traditional connotations.

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