Design Project Proposal
I decided to bring a project that I am currently working on for the Visual Communication Studio class. In the class, we basically had to choose, research, and document a cause to champion to affect change as a means to explore the semester theme of Empathy and Advocacy by Design. Since we have to design/brand a fashion product and logo, later on, I thought it would be a great idea to work on together in this class so that I could derive the message efficiently and sustainably.
My topic is sexual harassment. The name of my project is “No means No,” which I think is a very secure phrase for defending sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a severe problem in this society, no matter the gender, and sometimes it is about something else, like race or ethnicity. However, since it is a broad issue to consider, I decided to focus on female victims, which has been a pervasive problem for women throughout history. It is also strongly related to the “Me Too” movement, which is a movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault that initially started by a woman saying “Me Too” on social media. As connected to many different cases, sexual harassment is a systemic issue in current society, which means it is a wicked problem that is difficult to explain and inherently impossible to solve.
Sexual harassment can include things such as inappropriate comments or jokes, demands for sexual activity or unwanted touching, pinching, or grabbing. Small things can lead to bigger things if any unwelcome sexual acts done forcibly, or victims cannot speak up. The short tagline for this concept is “If it’s not clear, it’s not consent.” It means if someone does not welcome sexual behavior, it is violence. Eventually, the concept of “No means No” project is to spread awareness on society that every woman has the right to refuse any sexual advance from any person and the right to feel safe no matter where they are.
In conclusion, I am going to create an eco promotional tote bag that people can comfortably carry in their daily life. It will contain a message about sexual harassment by putting either illustration or logo, at the same time, aesthetically appealing. For the materials, I will either use leftover canvas and muslin or earth-friendly and sustainable materials such as cotton, jute, and non-woven polypropylene. Since I narrow down the topic to women victims, male harassers would mostly be impacted by this project. However, I want this to be affected generally in different social settings, especially in the workplace, home, or school. I believe that little changes can make a big difference: carrying a single tote bag in daily life can keep plastic bags out of landfills. This product itself will not only give awareness to people about sexual harassment but also be sustainable.
Moreover, I got inspired by the artist Henri Matisse’s line drawings, which is very simple but has strong impacts and has drawn that woman figure in the illustration poster above with bold lines.
