*This project along with my Systems Thinking & Changemaking Capstone qualified me as an Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) 2024 Trailblazer Award Winner
Combining research with design to tackle complex issue of the diversification of literature; Resulting zine written and designed to speak in the language of writers and readers to aid problem understanding, paired with designed Collaborative Sharing Board creating space to engage community in dismantling the problem through dialogue.
PROJECT Capstone for The Practice of Information Design at Mount Royal University
SKILLS Research, Writing, Storytelling, Document Design, Interactive Experience Design, Digital Community Space Design
TOOLS Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Mural
DATE 2024
To Read In Colour Bookmark // Dissemination Tool for Digital Zine
"Even through my own imagination, I connected less with someone like myself and more with a character so different, yet familiar because that was who I was always told to imagine. To care for. To believe in. To aspire to be.
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BACKGROUND
How can I use my information design skills to tackle an issue important to me, while inspiring others to care? This is the question that prompted me to think how my love for reading has often been shadowed by a nagging awareness of the issues of diversity and representation in literary fiction.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve read books that have inspired my passion for stories and characters. When reflecting on these stories, my identity and the shaping of the person I am today, one thing is undeniable: little kid me read a lot of books about white people, and not enough about characters who looked, felt and experienced like her. In fact, I have memories writing my own stories and no matter what they were about, they always centred on a white person. Even through my own imagination, I connected less with someone like myself and more with a character so different, yet familiar because that was who I was always told to imagine. To care for. To believe in. To aspire to be.
As an adult, I recognize this problem is still a problem. While I have begun to read books decentring white or heterosexual or able-bodied characters, I often have to actively seek them out. I have to make a conscious effort to look for these books, rather than stumble upon them naturally. There have been pushes for the diversification of literature over the years, but we still exist in a world where we distinguish these books as going against the norm. The norm is still the norm, and the problem is still a problem.
So, how can I use my information design powers for good and set change in an unchanging industry?
-- PHASES AND CORE outputs: Research, DESIGN INTERVENTION // 'TO READ IN COLOUR' ZINE + COLLABORATIVE SHARING BOARDS, REFLECTION // DIVERSIFYING LITERATURE: AN INFORMATION DESIGN INTERVENTION REPORT
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RESEARCH
Scope of research began with understanding the problem through a lens of systemic biases within the publishing industry, perpetuating issues such as stereotypes, tokenistic portrayals, and limitations for authors from underrepresented communities. Next was gaining knowledge on common practices in writing characters, with discussions on what an appropriate diverse character looks like and why representation is important in the first place. Lastly, consideration was given to the role of reader communities and understanding the motivations, needs and wants of this group, and gaining knowledge on what drives the popularity of certain stories over others.
To Read In Colour Report; Research: The Problem
To Read In Colour Report; Research: Main Highlights
To Read In Colour Report
To Read In Colour Report; Research: The Audience
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DESIGN INTERVENTION // 'TO READ IN COLOUR' ZINE + COLLABORATIVE SHARING BOARDS
-- TO READ IN COLOUR ZINE
To Read in Colour is a thoughtfully curated exploration into the topic of diversifying literature, providing introductory information into problem context, who it impacts, what impact looks like, and why it is important. Pulling from personal experiences, insightful articles, ongoing industry dialogue, and thought-provoking reflections, this zine dives into the critical role that representation and diversity plays in written stories.
From highlighting systemic biases present in the publishing industry to examining harmful trends in character representation, each chapter offers a comprehensive examination of challenges faced by underrepresented identities and voices. The zine provides actionable paths forward, advocating for promotion of diverse voices within literature and offering strategies for authentic representation within storytelling.
The zine acts as a starting point into the domain of a larger, enduring social issue. It invites an audience into the problem by providing knowledge, provoking thought, and prompting action within a collective. Whether an audience of reader, writers, industry professionals, or those on the outside peeking in, this zine serves as a vital resource for all those who believe in the transformative potential of literature.
To Read in Colour Zine, Cover and Spread Preview
-- TO READ IN COLOUR COLLABORATIVE SHARING BOARDS (*experimental sample)
As of now, the To Read in Colour collaborative sharing boards is an experimental sample of what could potentially be a larger digital platform. It emulates a dynamic digital space where voices from different backgrounds can come together to engage in meaningful conversations. The conversation boards provide a platform for open dialogue, collaboration, and collective action around important topics relating to the diversification of the literary industry. Writers, readers, and advocates for diversity can find a variety of discussion sections covering topics such as identity, stereotypes, cultural authenticity, and advocacy. These topics are meant to be a direct extension of the topics covered within the zine. The boards are designed to be inclusive, respectful, and empowering spaces where everyone’s voice is valued and heard.
To Read In Colour Report; Design Solution: Collaborative Conversation Boards
To Read In Colour Report; Design Solution: Collaborative Conversation Boards
To Read In Colour Report; Design Solution: Collaborative Conversation Boards
To Read In Colour Report; Design Solution: Collaborative Conversation Boards
-- DISSEMINATION TOOL: BOOKMARKS
A creative plan to disperse the zine and allow access to the collaborative sharing boards is through designed bookmarks. The idea would be to go to bookstores, libraries, neighbourhood take a book/leave a book cubbies, and other topic-related hotspots, placing these for a bookish audience to find. While there may be random placements, some would be tucked into specific books that fit into the very category of mainstreamed narratives I am trying to disrupt.
To Read In Colour Bookmarks // Dissemination Tool for Digital Zine and Conversation Boards
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REFLECTION // DIVERSIFYING LITERATURE: A DESIGN INTERVENTION REPORT
Given the scale of complexity for this problem, the value of this design intervention is made clear by one central characteristic: while avoiding oversimplification, it translates this problem into a digestible form for a diverse set of audiences. It works to make an insurmountable problem something that can be approached. When unsure of where to start, I’ve always believed learning is the first step, which is where the zine comes in. In this way, it is also true that to pass on learnings without providing paths to action is the equivalent to mindless preaching. The collaborative conversation boards tackle this head on, making space for continued learning and advocacy.
Combining knowledge and dialogue, the zine and the collaborative boards feel like a mere start to what could be a larger contribution to the solution landscape. For now, it exists as a possible intervention birthed from the mind of an information designer. The following report is a collection of the intent, research, solution building, design process and further reflection.
To Read In Colour Report // Includes: Topic Background, Research, Solution Building, Design Process, Reflections
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"If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.
- Haruki Murakami