The overall theme of the issue was “How Americans Spend Their Money”—a kind of “you are what you spend” look at life in this country. The initial image was of Carly Roney, a 32-year-old Internet entrepreneur. We chose a very literal solution by making Carly out of all the money she spent in one year. The shades of gray created levels and depths and allowed the reader to move in and out of what Carly spent and what Carly looks like. This effect gives the reader the ability to contemplate how our spending defines us.