DASHAVATAR
Exploring mythology through design—
crafted into a zine and a poster for modern audiences.
Research
Visual identity
Information Design
Designer's note
"Dashavatar" has always been a narrative of transformation—stories that evolve with time, adapting to different contexts while retaining their essence. This project was my attempt to visualize that evolution, translating mythology into a contemporary infographic format that speaks to modern audiences.
Designing this as both a zine and a poster was an exercise in storytelling across formats. The challenge was to simplify vast, intricate tales into a structured visual language—balancing detail with clarity, tradition with modernity. From researching ancient texts to defining a cohesive color palette and typographic style, every element was a conscious decision to honor the subject while making it accessible.
I approached this project not just as a designer but as a visual storyteller—one who bridges history with design, making age-old narratives engaging for today’s world. This is my way of keeping mythology alive, not just in memory but in design.
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APPROACHING THE TOPIC
The foundation of this project was built on extensive research, ensuring that every design choice was rooted in both historical accuracy and visual storytelling. Dashavatar, representing the ten incarnations of Vishnu, has been depicted in various ways across texts, temple carvings, miniature paintings, and oral traditions. My goal was to distill these narratives into a structured, contemporary infographic format that remained faithful to its origins while being accessible to a modern audience.
I began by studying different mythological sources and interpretations, exploring:
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The sequence of avatars and their symbolic meaning in different texts
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The regional variations—how Dashavatar is perceived in different parts of India.
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The philosophical angle, connecting the avatars to evolutionary theory and historical transitions.
I analyzed existing visual representations, from ancient sculptures to Amar Chitra Katha illustrations, identifying common visual motifs that could be reimagined in a clean, modern style.
STRUCTURING THE INFORMATION
Since Dashavatar is both a chronological and conceptual progression, finding the right way to visually organize the information was crucial. Each avatar marks a distinct era of transformation, both in mythology and in its perceived connections to evolution and historical shifts. The challenge was to design a layout that not only respected the sequential order but also highlighted the interconnections between the avatars in a way that felt intuitive and engaging.
To achieve this, I explored various structural formats, each offering a unique way to interpret and present the narrative:
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COLOR PALETTE
TYPOGRAPHY
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LINEAR TIMELINE
A traditional approach that presents the avatars in a straightforward sequence, reinforcing the progression of time and evolution. This structure worked well in illustrating the transformation from Matsya (the fish) to Kalki (the prophesied future avatar).
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CIRCULAR CHART
This format captured the cyclical nature of Hindu cosmology, where time is seen as a repeating cycle rather than a linear path. It provided an interesting perspective but felt less effective in conveying distinct phases of progression.
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GRID-BASED LAYOUT
A structured, at-a-glance comparison that gave equal weight to each avatar, making it easier to identify patterns, symbolic elements, and unique characteristics.
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Adapting in a zine format
After structuring the information and finalizing the visual approach, I wanted to explore a more immersive and tactile format that allowed for a sequential storytelling experience. A zine felt like the perfect medium because:
1. Narrative Flow – Unlike a poster, which presents everything at once, a zine allows the reader to flip through each avatar one by one, mirroring the evolutionary journey of Dashavatar.
2. Engagement & Interactivity – The act of turning pages creates a sense of discovery, making the experience more engaging compared to a single-page infographic.
3. Layered Information – A zine gave me the flexibility to dedicate a spread to each avatar, allowing for a focused breakdown of its significance, mythology, and visual representation.
4. Handcrafted Aesthetic – Since zines have a rich history of being independent, artistic, and experimental, this format let me play with layouts, typography, and illustration styles in a way that felt more organic and personal.
5. Collectible & Shareable – Unlike a standard infographic, a zine is something people can hold, share, and revisit, making it a more memorable piece of work.
By adapting the Dashavatar infographic into a zine and a poster, I was able to create two distinct yet complementary experiences—one for deep engagement and storytelling, and the other for instant visual impact.
Conclusion
This project allowed me to deconstruct mythology through design, transforming complex narratives into a structured visual experience. Adapting Dashavatar into an infographic, zine, and poster helped me explore storytelling through layout, hierarchy, and symbolism. I learned how different formats influence engagement—while the poster provides instant impact, the zine encourages deeper exploration. This process also strengthened my ability to balance aesthetic appeal with information clarity, reinforcing the importance of visual storytelling in making cultural narratives more accessible.
