Timelock — elkishen

Timelock 2024
Publication Design

Timelock is a spectulative sci-fi publication that merges narrative, typography, and visual design to explore the psychological weight of living the same day—May 16—on endless repeat. In a world where time resets at every dawn, consequences vanish, and apathy takes root. This haunting narrative examines the emotional and moral decay that follows when the future is no longer an option.

Co-created by Yang Peng and Elki Shen, under the mentorship of Ziga Testen, Timelock pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling by treating publication design as a narrative force. The book employs experimental layouts and typographic structures to reflect the fractured temporality and emotional stagnation of its characters. Each spread is carefully crafted to intensify immersion, evoke tension, and visualize the characters’ descent into hopelessness.

Illustrations generated with Midjourney bring the dystopian world to life—more than just visuals, they act as emotional cues and spatial anchors within the narrative loop. Supported by the generative capabilities of ChatGPT, the story integrates human and AI creativity to explore new dimensions of storytelling and design.

Timelock is not only a science fiction tale—it's a conceptual artefact that investigates how design can embody complex themes. As the reader is pulled deeper into the loop, the book asks: What does it mean to move forward when time stands still?

ELKI SHEN

E LKI SHEN