The creation of Dave began with loose conceptual sketches exploring the format of missing pet posters and how they could be exaggerated to become unsettling and comedic. I developed the creature’s features: tentacles, oozing horns, unsettling eyes, as a reflection of familiar campus archetypes pushed to monstrous extremes.

From there, I experimented with compositional layout and text placement, mocking up digital drafts to test the balance between image and satirical tone. Multiple transparencies were created for screen printing, allowing me to layer colour, texture, and linework. I tested several ink colours, paper types, and registration methods to achieve a bold, graphic finish with intentionally offbeat texture. Iteration played a major role in this project. I adjusted the text and background colour for tone and rhythm across versions, and each screenprint became an opportunity to test layering techniques. This process allowed me to explore how satire functions visually and how traditional print techniques can be stretched to serve more absurd, contemporary commentary.

If you would like a detailed description (including images) of the screen printing process, please see the process section on ‘Citizen Cane Toad’, another one of my screen-printing projects.