News

The winter 2021 issue of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences magazine, Ytori, features a cover that reframes one of the most recognizable monuments on UF’s campus: Century Tower.

As Dean David Richardson explains in his “From the Dean” letter introducing the issue, Century Tower was chosen to represent the contents of this issue because of its deep meaning to campus. Created by UF student designer KHARY KHALFANI, who was recently accepted into the upper division graphic design program in the College of Arts, the cover reflects the resilience of the college and the Gator community in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Century Tower is an iconic feature of the university skyline, and it holds a unique meaning for all Gators,” Richardson wrote. “Dedicated as a memorial to the alumni lost in World Wars I and II, the tower serves as a reminder of our community’s resilience amid deeply felt loss this past year that we continue to suffer, but as shown in the rising sun, hints toward a brighter future to come.”

I spoke to Khalfani to find out more about what fed into his design.

Where did the idea for this design come from?

The idea for the design stemmed from a photograph by (CLAS Media Services Web Designer) Efren Vasquez. I reinterpreted the photo, injecting metaphorical meaning through a digital illustration treatment. I also took inspiration from The New Yorker magazine covers that featured solid backgrounds, simplified shapes and illustrative qualities.

What were you trying to accomplish with this design?

I wanted to create a cover that was radically different from most UF branding. In doing so, I wanted to reflect the intense difference between our lives before the pandemic and our lives during it. Rather than acting as if life has not changed, the cover aims to show that the college acknowledges the difference in life and the struggles of many people in our community. Just as campus life and life, in general, has been stripped down, simplified and looked at differently, I decided to apply the same treatment to the Century Tower.

What do you hope readers take away from the cover?

The image is meant to invoke a sense of hope within readers; hope that not only our immediate surroundings, but the entire world will heal, recover, and come back stronger and more optimistic than ever. The sunrise in the image represents hope, and Century Tower represents strength.

What are your plans after college?

I expect to graduate in 2023. From there, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree and continuing to utilize my graphic design skills to help build my various entrepreneurial/community projects. I’m the co-owner/creative director of a vintage clothing boutique in Downtown Gainesville, called The How Bazar. I’m also the co-owner/creative director of an independent record label, called Dion Dia.