“The Math Within” is a super graphic designed for the Math Department at Joliet Junior College. Tasked with developing my own concept, I chose to explore the relationship between math and nature—emphasizing the hidden patterns found in insects and the natural world. The design features hand-drawn, true-to-color illustrations of native Illinois insects, set against a clean white background to create a calming space. By focusing on visual storytelling rather than text, the mural encourages students to engage with the beauty of math in a more intuitive and personal way.
I chose bees, butterflies, and dragonflies for my super graphic because each insect naturally uses math in its daily life—from the hexagonal structure of honeycombs to the symmetry of butterfly wings and the geometric precision of dragonfly flight. Their forms and behaviors visually represent patterns, balance, and structure—core elements of mathematics found in nature. Relating back to Joliet Junior College, we see all these insects in their natural environment around the school.
