A letter to the viewer,

Hi, I just want to share some background thoughts on this whole project: This digital zine was an idea I had from the beginning of my time in the hospital. Zines have been an integral part of my life in recent years. I have designed and produced two zines in the past documenting transformative periods of my life. As soon as I realized I had survived this near-death experience I knew I had a story I needed to tell for both myself and others.

I wanted this zine to function as a therapeutic journey for me in accepting/recollecting the events that have occurred to me. The New Company gave me the perfect opportunity to begin that journey beginning in June of 2021. And so I began creating as much artwork as I could in order to put together some sort of story of my experiences thus far. Some of these pieces were very challenging: pushing my physical abilities, forcing me to relive some traumatic moments, and expanding my understanding of what has happened to me. Despite these difficulties, I am extremely thankful for how this project has provided me with a new perspective on these unfortunate events.

More than anything I want the viewer to know that this shit is raw. And that’s okay. I truly do not believe my feelings or thoughts about this experience will ever not be raw. I share everything in this website not out of narcissism or in congratulations to myself but as a defiant “fuck you” to the thing we call our lives.

I have often been told during this journey to take a deep breath, but often what I want and need to do is release a guttural scream. Consider “Oops” to be my scream.

I hope this project empowers you to experience raw emotions during traumatic events and mental health difficulties and be willing to share those raw unfiltered emotions with others.

Bio

Harrison Kratzer is a 22 year old graphic designer currently hailing from Nashville, TN. He graduated from NC State College of Design in August of 2021. Since his graduation, he has interned at The New Company and currently interns at Something Special Studios. He is extremely serious about not taking design so seriously. He often finds himself exploring the grey areas of what graphic design and art can and should be.

In January 2021, Harrison suffered an unexpected brain hemorrhage via an Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the brain, leaving him with minimized usage of his limbs on the left side of his body. Fortunate to be alive, Harrison works tirelessly towards regaining his abilities through physical therapy. This experience has further solidified Harrison’s passion for using design as an opportunity for raw expression and evocative experiences.

You can follow him on Instagram @harrisonkratzer.

portfolio: harrisonkratzer.com

Please contact me with any inquiries, or questions, or conversations, I would love to hear from you: harrck4@gmail.com

Resources

To learn more about strokes visit: www.stroke.org

If you feel inspired to financially support an organization that benefits people like me please go to: healingheadstn.org/ who provides financial support to stroke victims who can’t afford the physical therapy needed to regain the deficits inflicted by their stroke.

collaborators

Website: Leonardo Angelucci

Supported and created with: The New Company,

New Company: Paloma Aelyon, Seth Mroczka, Andreas Pranoto, Matt Luckhurst, Jules Tardy, Maria Vaquero, Andie Vallé

CREDITS

THANK YOU TO all the people who helped me get through this experience. I love you all! <3

My family. My parents Amy and Chris Kratzer. My sisters Cailyn, Ashton, and Madelyn Kratzer.

Paul & Summer. My besties.

My nurses: Mike, April, Georgette (pictured ) and Sharon, Ruth, Tasha, Latashia, Breanna (not pictured.)

My in-patient therapists: Laura, Amy, Ashley, Megan (pictured), and Kristyn, Whitney (not pictured.)

My out-patient therapists: Julia, Katie, Margaret, Alexander.

And Cole Ferguson my best friend, the one who called 911, and supported me every step of the way <3

Others not pictured: Anne McDonald, Beck, Dr. Burnsed, Gina D’Amore, The Collab team, The New Company, Something Special Studios, Leonardo Angelucci, Sharon Joines, Amy Nailor, the Lyft driver who called an ambulance when I had a seizure in her car.