First Advisor

Sean Schumacher

Date of Award

6-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design and University Honors

Department

Art + Design

Language

English

Subjects

graphic design, vampires, class inequality, film theory, sociocultural critique, visual narratives

Abstract

Cultural Shadows: Vampires and the Shifting Fears of the West is a creative-critical thesis that explores vampire media as a reflection of evolving social anxieties in Western culture. Focusing primarily on film and television, with reference to key literary texts, this study examines how the vampire figure is used to articulate and dramatize recurring societal fears—particularly those surrounding women’s sexuality and autonomy, queer identity, and class-based inequality. Through close readings of influential vampire narratives, the thesis demonstrates how these stories mirror cultural tensions and moral panics, transforming the vampire into a symbol of both fear and fascination. Drawing on gender theory, queer theory, and film critique, the research argues that vampire media serves not only as entertainment but also as a powerful commentary on the socio-political concerns of its time. The study highlights how visual and narrative representations of vampires shift in response to changing cultural landscapes, offering insight into the fears that haunt the Western imagination.

This written analysis is accompanied by a creative component: an eight-minute motion graphics video and an original book cover design, intended to make these academic insights accessible to a broader audience. Through a handmade, tactile aesthetic, the visual project invites reflection and conversation, encouraging viewers to reconsider the cultural significance of horror media and its relationship to the real-world experiences that shape it.

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