Malika Specht

Bachelor of Arts Illustration

My art is representing my inner self. That’s why I chose a very personal topic for my bachelor thesis.

From time to time I feel like I’m trapped in the darkness of my own thoughts. I need to hear the message told by my novel, to guide me out of it. Maybe it can bring a little light to others too. That would be nice.

Used Software

Analog: Aquarell, Bleistift; digital: Photoshop, Indesign

Contact Details

Mail: malika.specht@mail.de
Website: malikaspecht.de
Project Page: issuu.com
Instagram: malikamalt

Derailed

A graphic novel about breakdown and regrowth.

Lately I’ve been running on rails. Round after round. Just continue. Don’t ever stand still. Standstill means darkness. But what does standing still really mean? What comes afterwards?

“No pain, no gain” – hard work and discipline can make you reach any goal – The American Dream is the air we breathe. We strive forward and aim high. The most important criteria is our efficiency. Performance is the highest goal. We are running on rails till we lose ourselves.

Work has become a lifestyle. Glorifying our jobs whilst ignoring our physical and psychological limits is the essence of the meritocracy we live in. Our right to exist is linked to our performance.

But what happens if we can’t perform anymore? If the lights go out and we have to stop?

The real question is not IF it is going to happen but WHEN. It’s a fact that stress and overload are making us sick.

In my novel, armed with pencil and aquarelle, i face my fear of standstill and darkness in order to explore what can be discovered beyond that.

Thank you Felix Scheinberger and Cornelia Haas for your valuable input not only in this project – you’ve taught me so much during my studies. Thank you Jan, Mom and Dad, Enya, Pia, Aelfie, Janis and Lisa for listening and simply beeing there. I love you.

First Examiner: Prof. Dipl.-Des. Felix Scheinberger
Second Examiner: Prof. Dipl.-Des. Cornelia Haas