HAZEL TAO
Hazel is a designer who enjoys experimenting with different creative methods and exploring new ways to make visuals. With a background in visual storytelling, she plays with patterns, motion, and form to create interesting and dynamic designs. Open to collaborations, she is always looking for new projects that push her creativity and help her grow as a designer.
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THE POLONSKY EXHIBITIONThe Polonsky Exhibition is a permanent installation at the New York Public Library showcasing 250 objects selected from a collection of over 56 million. The exhibition spans 4,000 years of human history, covering literature, politics, science, and the arts.
The goal of the redesign was to clarify the visual hierarchy and tone of the exhibition’s printed materials, using a language that could support historical artifacts without competing with them. Typography was kept serifed and bookish, with strict alignment rules and minimal variation in weight. Color use was restrained, limited to black, off-white, and a single accent shade. Images were handled with care—cropped generously, never captioned directly, and placed within structured margins.
Layouts followed a grid that could be applied to brochures, wall text, and educational supplements. The tone remained institutional, but with sharper contrast and more visual pacing than the original system. No narrative voice was introduced. The design focused on framing the objects, not interpreting them.
Role
Visual Design
Editorial Concept
Tool
Adobe Creative Suite
Challenge
Reimagine a key visual communication element for The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures. This challenge invites designers to explore how contemporary design can honor historical narratives, enhance visitor experience, and bring new life to timeless objects.