Justin Parpan

The final chapter of The Art of Dystopia is out now on Substack.

This isn’t just a story about endings. It’s about refusing to accept them. About art, resistance, and the belief that even in the wreckage, something better can still be built.

The Art of Dystopia / Part 6: Cyberpunk "You will live to see man-made horrors beyond your comprehension." — Nikola Tesla

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The Art of Dystopia / Part 6: Cyberpunk "You will live to see man-made horrors beyond your comprehension." — Nikola Tesla

Part 6 of The Art of Dystopia is out now. This chapter dives into cyberpunk—From Philip K. Dick to Blade Runner, Akira to The Matrix, we explore a future that looks more like now than tomorrow.

open.substack.com/pub/justinpa...

The Art of Dystopia / Part 5: The Ministry of Madness “Insanity is a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.”

Part 5 of The Art of Dystopia is out now.

This week, dystopia gets weird. Under Kafka’s shadow, absurdity reigns—where dream logic, dark comedy, and surreal visions rise up in rebellion. Insect-men and endless paperwork await. Read now on Substack!

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The Art of Dystopia / Part 4: Fallout “You think that the war is over and an evil thing destroyed.

Part 4 of The Art of Dystopia is out now. This chapter journeys into the Atomic Age—when Cold War paranoia, postwar conformity, and suburban dreams masked a creeping dread.

Read now on Substack →
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Part 3 of The Art of Dystopia is out now. This chapter explores how artists like Fritz Lang and George Orwell helped define the modern dystopia—shaped by war, ruin, and fractured ideals.

Read now on Substack → open.substack.com/pub/justinpa...

The Art of Dystopia / Part 1: Déjà Vu Some days, I go nearly twenty-four hours without speaking to another person.

Starting today, I'm releasing a series of articles exploring the Art of Dystopia—how visionary artists and writers have captured society's unraveling through haunting images, powerful narratives, and prophetic warnings. Read the first two parts on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/justinpa...

Thanks Bob, glad you liked the essay! I hope this country gets back to that.

Designing America When the U.S. Government Got Design Right

I wrote a new Substack article about the overlooked legacy of U.S. government design— at a time when the arts are increasingly under attack, this article looks back at when the government got design right—and why that legacy matters now more than ever.

open.substack.com/pub/justinpa...

Postmodern Mouse Dreams, Delusions, and the Power of an Icon

I wrote a new Substack article about our complicated relationship with the world’s most famous mouse. Mickey is more than just a cartoon— he’s a cultural chameleon, reflecting the shifting tides of America itself.

open.substack.com/pub/justinpa...

#mickeymouse #disney #animation #animationhistory

Why Cats Make Better Muses The Feline Influence on Art and Culture

I wrote a Substack article on why cats have fascinated artists for centuries. Why have they captivated us for so long? From medieval paintings to internet memes, their presence is everywhere. As a self-proclaimed dog person, I set out to understand their allure.

open.substack.com/pub/justinpa...

I wrote a Substack article on the lasting power of costumes, from ancient rituals to Hollywood creature design. A visit to Jim Henson Studios highlights how physical costumes connect us to history and storytelling, even in the digital age.

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I wrote a Substack article exploring the lasting allure of the vampire genre, with a personal look at how the Count von Count from Sesame Street introduced me to its enduring influence. Read about it here:

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I wrote an article on Substack about the Polish movie poster revolution under communist rule (1950s-1980s). During this period, posters became a bold, surreal art form, producing some of cinema's most imaginative designs.

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I wrote a Substack article on taxidermy, exploring its definition and unique examples like Dr. Seuss's whimsical works and the mythical Jackalope. Read more—

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Scarecrow Joe concept design. #scarecrow #animation #animationart #conceptart #design

Scarecrow Joe poster art #animation #animationart #scarecrowjoe

Production design for Scarecrow Joe. Welcome to the town of Twin Rivers, home of the world famous Dinersaur. #animation #conceptdesign #scarecrowjoe #dinosaur #diner #animationart #animationdesign

Scarecrow Joe board drawing. #animation #scarecrowjoe #animationart #storyboards #halloween

Scarecrow Joe storyboards. #animation #scarecrowjoe #animationart #storyboards #halloween

East German edition of Dracula, Published in 1989

#GraphicDesignInspo #RetroHorror #CultCinema #MonstersInArt #vampire #bookcover #bookdesign #dracula #horrorart

Dracula, Published by Arrow Books, 1962

#ArtOfEverything #ArtAndDesign #VisualCulture #ArtHistory #FineArt #CreativeDesign #AnimationArt #FilmArt #MoviePosters #FilmHistory #CinematicDesign #Nosferatu #Dracula #VampireArt #HorrorArt #ClassicHorror #VampiresInFilm

The book cover designs for Bram Stoker's Dracula have evolved significantly over time, reflecting shifts in cultural tastes and design trends. Mid-20th century covers leaned toward bold, graphic imagery, often highlighting Dracula’s menacing silhouette or striking red tones.

Beatrix Potter, Studies of a Bat (1887)

As a child, Beatrix Potter had a pet bat. In her journal, she wrote, “It is a charming little creature, quite tame and apparently happy as long as it has sufficient flies and raw meat.”

#ArtOfEverything #ArtAndDesign #VisualCulture #ArtHistory #FineArt

Edvard Munch
Vampire (1895)

The painting was originally titled Love and Pain. Munch’s friend, Stanisław Przybyszewski, described it as "a man who has become submissive, with a biting vampire’s face on his neck."

This description led Munch to change the title to Vampire.

This week, we’ll be exploring the most elegant of monsters—the vampire—and their presence in art, design, and visual culture.

What images come to mind when you think of the vampire? Who is your favorite vampire? I would love to know in the comments.

#art#design#film#horror#vampire

What's the greatest movie poster of all time?

#ArtAndDesign #ArtHistory #VisualCulture #DesignInspiration #CreativeDesign #ModernArt Animation & Film #AnimationArt #AnimationDesign #FilmArt #MoviePosters #AnimatedFilm #CharacterDesign#GraphicDesignInspo #PosterDesign #VintagePosters#CultCinema

Czech film poster for 30 YEARS OF FUN by Jan Kubicek(1970)

#ArtAndDesign #FilmArt #FilmHistory #MoviePosters #graphicdesign

A short film me and Josh Parpan made for Rhythm + Visions, an audio-visual event at USC. The music for the short was composed by Shaun Chasin. #usccinematicarts #uscanimation #animation #oceanphotography #animatedshortfilm #blender3d #blendercommunity