EXODUS
For my senior capstone project, I decided to create a concept for a bar that is centered on promoting self-expression and increased socialization in a period recovering from isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exodus is a concept for a safe, multi-sensory bar that elevates the typical bar experience. The bar features a series of cocktails that are color-coded to match people’s personalities or current states of mind. The project was featured in the 2022 BFA Exhibition, which showcased the work of the graduating class of 2022 for the Art and Design Program at the University of Illinois. You can view the online exhibit of this project and many more here.
Main Menu of Characteristic Cocktails
Characteristic Cocktail Menu in Application
CHARACTERISTIC COCKTAILS
One of the main selling points of this bar concept is the Characteristic Cocktails, which are color coded in order to match people's personalities or current states of mind. Customers are meant to order the drink that best fits them and are encouraged to meet and socialize with customers who have the same drink, given that they have similar mindsets, thus, would get along well together.
ACCOUNTING FOR SAFETY
In order to account for safety in the bar and to attempt to limit potentially dangerous situations, the bar would offer a secret menu of safe-word drinks used in order for customers to discreetly report problems to staff. These drinks would also serve as a navigation tool for staff to know where such issues may be taking place. The secret menus would be installed behind the stall doors in the bathroom so they are out of the public eye, and the names of the drinks would be rotated on a regular basis to prevent possible perpetrators from catching on.
