Client : Personal project
Instructor : Isabel Meirelles
Role : Art Director, Graphic Designer
Category : Video, Poster Design, Book Publication, Print, Interaction Design
Tools : Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro
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It is preventable. All it takes is us. We matter, too. Let's start a conversation.
Concept
‘Masculinity is a Prison (MIAP)’ is a self-directed, year-long thesis project, which focuses on the difficulties faced by young adult, men of colour in the GTA, and in the areas of mental health and wellness. The stigma of mental health is a serious topic that does not discriminate and although getting better, continues to be swept under the rug like a dirty family secret, especially in black communities. We often see many platforms for females opening up and discussing about women's health, but not so much for their male counterpart ⏤ where are the health platforms for men of colour? It is almost as if our traumas are non-existent and we are not affected by them. Toxic masculinity does exist, and the male perspective needs to be heard, too.
The multimedia campaign aims to raise awareness about these issues and also to start a conversation. The centre of the campaign is an anonymity video (judgment-free, private, yet open space where it is just your inner soul and voice that matters, and not the outer distractions of the appearance), in which I interviewed a group of participants who shared their experiences, perspectives, traumas, similarities and differences about their well-being. It gives males the permission to be honest and vulnerable while acknowledging the barriers they’ve faced, and reminds us that it is human to feel and express ⏤ finding a common ground and learning more about themselves. Posters, cards, and a visual book accompany the video to further promote the message across different media. An interactive installation ‘Pick Your Poison’ invites visitors to learn about mental illnesses, in addition to a more in-depth handbook as a call-to-action. Visitors are encouraged to take a “pill” from a set of six medication bottles for the most common mental illnesses affecting men in particular. The pills are messages (in English/French - inclusive of language) with advices and coping mechanisms based on their mental disorders. With the number of pills taken from each medication bottle, a data visualization study is seen as it reveals what disorder people are suffering with the most.
MIAP Campaign was exhibited at OCAD University’s 103rd Annual Graduate Exhibition in May 2018. It also allowed for people to engage with the conversation online with #ImprisonNoMore (a release from confinement, end-point, or limit that holds one back to truly BE ⏤ it does not have to be a punishment) at the end of their own personal stories, and/or messages.
More information about the project and process here:
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Photoshop | Illustrator
24” x 36”
Premiere Pro | After Effects
InDesign | Photoshop
InDesign | Photoshop
6” x 6”
InDesign | Illustrator
Illustrator | Photoshop
These shirts, pins, and stickers directly accompanies the MIAP Campaign project in raising awareness for men's health and well-being in the GTA, especially men of colour.
Shirts available for purchase here: https://shopdodesign.bigcartel.com/category/apparel