Emotional Abuse Posters

This poster series seeks to raise awareness of emotional abuse in romantic relationships, particularly among young adults. Many victims struggle to recognize emotional abuse because it often disguises itself as love, concern, or protection. Through typographic design, this project visually exposes the cycle of justification and manipulation that keeps individuals trapped in harmful relationships. Each poster juxtaposes commonly voiced justifications by victims—such as “He said he loves me,” “But he said sorry,” and “She’s just looking out for me”—against a chaotic, haunting background filled with the manipulative words of abusers.

The victim’s justifications are displayed in a red italic serif font, symbolizing the illusion of love and affection, while the abuser’s words appear distorted and layered with varying opacities, reflecting their overwhelming and degrading impact. The textured gray backgrounds, designed in Photoshop, create a cold, unsettling atmosphere, reinforcing the hidden pain beneath seemingly affectionate statements. These textures were intentionally chosen to evoke isolation, turmoil, and psychological distress.
The statement "This is not love. Know the signs of emotional abuse" at the bottom of each poster serves as a powerful call to action. This project encourages viewers to question manipulative behaviors, recognize red flags, and foster awareness about emotional abuse in relationships.