From Page to Prop: Visualising Frankenstein

Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, whose dangerously ambitious pursuit of knowledge leads to both his greatest creation and his eventual ruin. The novel follows his rise from a determined scientist to the tragic consequences of his experiment. Through the creature he creates, Shelley explores themes of isolation, responsibility, and the consequences of overambition. For this project, I have created a series of graphic design-based film props derived and inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Each prop highlights a different moment in the novel, revealing aspects of the characters, setting, or underlying themes. By visualising the story as a film, I’ve been able to interpret and translate key elements into physical objects that carry their own narrative weight and meaning. The props include a book, a letter, posters, a wedding invitation and a captain’s log— each designed to evoke specific emotional and thematic responses. The process involved combining Victorian-era design aesthetics with modern graphic design techniques, resulting in a hybrid style that reflects the timeless nature of the story. The final collection of props is intended to immerse the viewer in the world of Frankenstein, showcasing how graphic design can serve as a powerful tool for storytelling in cinema.

Tara Savvides