Exploring OCD through Art

05.08.2026

Exploring OCD through Art

by Alma Manso Rojas

My name is Alma Manso Rojas, a Graphic Design student at Florida International University. My work is grounded in a strong interest in visual communication and experimentation. It ranges from sculpture to mixed media animation and digital design, exploring the versatility of materials.

For my Design for Change class, I collaborated with ADAA to create a series of 5 posters relating to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I chose ADAA because they connect people to trusted resources and advocate for better mental health policies. Millions of people are affected by mental illness worldwide, and it affects their daily lives, relationships, and work. Having a mental illness can be an isolating experience, but organizations like ADAA play a critical role in improving lives and strengthening mental health in communities.

This project focused on challenging the misconception that OCD is easily recognizable or visually defined. I aimed to highlight how some of the most stigmatized subtypes often remain invisible precisely because they contradict the stereotypes people are most familiar with.

Visually, the work explored the idea of shifting the way OCD is perceived. Throughout the series, I used fragmentation, repetition, and strong typography to mirror the internal patterns of OCD, particularly rumination and mental looping. A big part of this project and collaboration was my own diagnosis.

Finally getting access to a diagnosis and treatment offered me the opportunity to hope and the tools to work towards myself. As someone who personally experiences OCD, I wanted this project to feel honest and relatable. As I worked through the posters, I understood more about my own symptoms and struggles with this disorder, which made each design feel raw and personal.