Neobos
Neobos
Brand guidelines of a conceptual micronation.
Timeline: Fall 2024, 4 Weeks
My Role: Sole creator
Program(s): Illustrator, InDesign
My Role: Sole creator
Program(s): Illustrator, InDesign
Neobos—short for Neo Hobos—is a micronation world-building and branding project I created in my Junior Studio course. The assignment challenged us to design a fictional micronation by defining its people, territory, governance, and recognition, and then develop a brand system in the form of a small book.
For my approach, I imagined a micronation or community that I would personally want to belong to—something rooted in curiosity, nature, and a sense of freedom. I was inspired by a children’s book I discovered in a free little library about secret places in nature—spaces for reflection and escape. Building on this idea, I researched the culture of early 20th-century hobos, particularly their symbolic language, code of ethics, and nomadic lifestyle. I combined this research with my personal interest in glass beads and handcrafted objects, merging these elements into the world of Neobos.
My process included extensive brainstorming, mind mapping, visual research, and iterative prototyping. I created paper mockups to plan the zine’s layout and content flow, then developed a modular symbol system and visual identity. The final publication included a fabric patch featuring the micronation’s logo, and a recruitment card—an interactive element suggesting that anyone who owns the zine can become a member of the micronation. I wanted the zine to evoke a sense of mystery and childlike wonder—leaving the viewer to question whether the micronation truly exists.
For my approach, I imagined a micronation or community that I would personally want to belong to—something rooted in curiosity, nature, and a sense of freedom. I was inspired by a children’s book I discovered in a free little library about secret places in nature—spaces for reflection and escape. Building on this idea, I researched the culture of early 20th-century hobos, particularly their symbolic language, code of ethics, and nomadic lifestyle. I combined this research with my personal interest in glass beads and handcrafted objects, merging these elements into the world of Neobos.
My process included extensive brainstorming, mind mapping, visual research, and iterative prototyping. I created paper mockups to plan the zine’s layout and content flow, then developed a modular symbol system and visual identity. The final publication included a fabric patch featuring the micronation’s logo, and a recruitment card—an interactive element suggesting that anyone who owns the zine can become a member of the micronation. I wanted the zine to evoke a sense of mystery and childlike wonder—leaving the viewer to question whether the micronation truly exists.
