Dia de los Muertos

OVERVIEW

For this project, I was challenged to design an original United States Postal Service stamp series that celebrates a topic outside of my own lived experience. I chose to highlight Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday I had heard about but wanted to better understand and explore the cultural significance behind.

While often overlooked compared to other widely recognized holidays, Día de los Muertos holds deep importance for many Mexican families, including those who celebrate the tradition in the United States. My goal was to create a stamp series that honored the meaning behind the holiday while introducing its traditions to a broader audience.

The series highlights four meaningful symbols of Día de los Muertos: papel picado (decorative paper craft), música (music and song), calaveras (painted skulls), and ofrendas (altars honoring loved ones). Through vibrant illustrations and thoughtful symbolism, this collection celebrates the beauty, remembrance, and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos while encouraging greater recognition of the holiday’s presence and impact in the United States.