The ___Atelier Facebook & Transgender

THE ______ATELIER

FACEBOOK & TRANSGENDER BRAND FUTURES

CELINE CHU CHU17510916 BA GRAPHIC BRANDING AND IDENTITY MAY 28, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Research 1-19 Facebook Background Research 4 Facebook & the LGBTQ+ Community 6 Transgender Research 8 Real Name Controversy 10 Exhibition 12 Trans Artists 14 Jasper Behrends 16 Interviews 18

Idea Generation 20-31 Facebook & Instagram 22 Previous Instagram Pop-ups 24 Future Workshops 26 Speakeasy Research 28 Presentation & Feedback 30

Final Idea 32-53 Audience Personas 34 Building Mockup 36 Location Research 38 Scale Model 40 Mark Making 42 Special Events 44 Projection Mapping Workshop 46 Augmented Reality 50 Social Media 52

Evaluation 54-55 3 The goal was to figure out the best way to incorporate this set of core values into the final idea, in order to reflect and stay consistent to the original branding. Although Facebook has had some bad controversies over the years, their core set of values are still very strong and in my opinion, still a good foundation to start on. FACEBOOK BACKGROUND RESEARCH

When I got the topic of Facebook and Transgender, I thought the best thing to do would just be to start by doing some basic background research. Because the topic is both sensitive and broad, it was important to do thorough research, and understand all sides of the story. First, I decided to take a look at Facebook as a brand, their mission statement, vision statement, and core values. As someone who grew up using Facebook, I already has some bias towards the company so learning Mark Zuckerberg (2015) Facebook family of apps about the foundation of company passes over 1 billion users per day would help keep a clear mind.

4 5 I looked into the relationship that Facebook have with the LGBTQ+ FACEBOOK community. The verified page for LGBTQ@Facebook was created in

Events Day of Visibility March 31 > International Transgender Week Awareness > Transgender Nov 20 Day of Remembrance > Transgender Parades March that happens all over the world during Pride > Trans 2008. It’s the official LGBTQ+ re- source page on FB with close to 21 million members liking and following AND THE the page. It’s a place dedicated to creating an environment where people can be their authentic selves and share their own diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and ideas. LGBTQ+ It is a place that understands that there are issues that are unique to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender FB users and they work closely From this research, it seems that FB with the LGBTQ community to better does try very hard to be aware and COMMUNITY understand the needs of this popula- helpful for the LGBTQ+ community, tion and offer helpful resources. but they showcase that “care” mainly It was in 2014 that FB opened up through their LGBTQ+ employees. LGBTQ - Friendly Gender Identity In a way, they are creating a good and Pronoun options (up to 10 out image by stating that their company of 50 options). FB worked closely with treats their employees equally and LGBTQ activist groups to compile the accepts all people. For my project, I new list of gender-identity options. would have to make sure that whatever I am produce doesn’t seem like “While this change may not seem like a publicity stunt or just a way to make much, for those it affects means a the company have a better image, great deal.” but instead, focusing on the people. 6 7 TRANSGENDER RESEARCH

Once I had a base knowledge on

Facebook, it was time to research

^ ^ ^ into the topic of Transgender. For Nikkie Tutorials ^ Jin Xing Jazz Jennings Jamie Raines me, it was important to know the proper terminology and the different categories within Transgender. The proper definition of Transgender is “people who have a gender identity Once I had a base knowledge on or gender expression that differs from Facebook, it was time to research their sex assigned at birth”. Trans- into the topic of Transgender. For me, gender, shortened as trans, is also it was important to know the proper an umbrella term. Other terms include terminology and the different cate- transsexual, non-binary, gender- gories within Transgender. The proper queerm trabsvestute/cross-dresser, definition of Transgender is “people and drag queens/kings. who have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from their sex assigned at birth”. Transgender (trans), is also an umbrella term. Oth- er terms include transsexual, non-binary, genderqueer, cross-dresser, and drag queens/kings. 8 9 REAL NAME POLICY CONTROVERSY

To summarize this controversy, the A case that I found was of Caitlin I wondered if there was a way to “This is an important question. Real names are an real-name policy for FB dictates Beach (Dottie Lux), FB flagged her incorporate this issue within my final important part of how our community works for a couple how people register their accounts profile after she changed her name, project. A way to mend the relation- of reasons. First, it helps keep people safe. We know and configure their user profiles. but she had to provide documen- ship with trans people and FB. that people are much less likely to try to act abusively This policy, however, affects many tation to verify her identity. “It took towards other members of our community when they’re people from Native Americans, away that experience of coming out, using their real names. There are plenty of cases – for Japanese, Irish, Gaelic, Transgender it overall stifled me socially”. example, a woman leaving an abusive relationship and users, etc. These users are penalized trying to avoid her violent ex-husband – where pre- for have names in which FB deems venting the ex-husband from creating profiles with fake to be “fake”, while simultaneously names and harassing her is important. As long as he’s allowing anyone to create fake yet using his real name, she can easily block him. Second, plausible-sounding names that FB’s real names help make the service easier to use. People software fails to recognize as unlikely use Facebook to look up friends and people they meet to be a real person. all the time. This is easy because you can just type their This is a big problem within the Trans name into search and find them. This becomes much community since your name is a big harder if people don’t use their real names. That said, part of your identity, one of the only there is some confusion about what our policy actually parts of their identity that they do is. Real name does not mean your legal name. Your have control over. While FB have real name is whatever you go by and what your friends done many things to be supportive call you. If your friends all call you by a nickname and of the LGBTQ+ community, it missed you want to use that name on Facebook, you should a critical part of a trans person’s be able to do that. In this way, we should be able to identity. From 2015, FB promises to support everyone using their own real names, including compromise to its real name policy, everyone in the transgender community. We are working developing a protocol that will allow on better and more ways for people to show us what members to provide specifics as their real name is so we can both keep this policy which CAITLIN BEACH to their “special circumstances” or protects so many people in our community while also “unique situation”. serving the transgender community.” 10 11 The only exhibition that I had a chance to go to was 24/7 at Som- EXHIBITION erset House with the class before the lockdown was put into place. I really enjoyed seeing all the different ways that technology was combined with the installations. One of the works that that left the strongest impression is Tatsuo Miyajima’s meditative isola- tion chamber Life Palace (tea room).

“Life Palace (tea room) occupies the entire gallery and invites one viewer at a time to step into a domed constella- tion of blue lights, with numbers glowing and blinking in the darkened space. In this tea room, the audience would drink “time” instead of “tea.”

I really enjoyed this installation because it was an interactive space. I think I really enjoy the works that you can really physically interact with and feel the space around you photo: Ken Adlard over other installations where you just look at the work. I feel like a space creates a better experience and a longer lasting memory.

12 13 TRANS ARTISTS

I knew that I wanted to incorporate the work of trans artists as a way to raise knowledge and awareness. I think art is one of the best ways to convey meaning and emotions, sometimes even more powerful than words. Some famous artists that I’ve found include Amos Mac, Juliana Hux- (L to R) Zackary Drucker & Rhys Ernst, Amos Mac, Juliana Huxtable, Evan Ifekoya, Greer Lankton, Yishay Garbasz, Micha Cardenas Yishay Garbasz, Greer Lankton, Evan Ifekoya, Juliana Huxtable, Amos Mac, (L to R) Zackary & Rhys Ernst, Drucker table, Yisha Garbasz, Zackary Druck- er and Rhys Ernst, Micha Cardenas, Greer Lankton, and Evan Ifekoya, just to name a few.

13 14 JASPER BEHRENDS

At the time of this controversy, Jasper After I came across his story, I thought Behrends was an 18 yrs old senior in it would play a really important role high school, working on his AP Studio in my whole project. How to use this Art project. His focus topic was “how as a base on how to make Instagram the people in my life relate to their more accepting and how to mend gender and sexuality, especially in the relationship with transgender regards to body dysphoria.” people and Instagram.

His teacher and even the school’s "There is nothing inappropriate administration, upon seeing his about being transgender and making artwork, deemed it inappropriate for art to represent that" school but Jasper submitted and it received the top award.

Once that issue was over, another pens-next-amazing-jasper-behrends/#gs.aGMp6HE https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/teacher-snubs-trans-teens-art-project-hap - ing-artwork-for-violating-guidelines/ https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/instagram-deletes-trans-teens-amaz - arose. And this time, it was Instagram. His art, which was posted to his Insta-

gram, was reported and flagged, in Unknown Caged, Unknown, Pansy, Growing Pains, (L to R) Bittersweet, which Instagram responded by taking it down. This caused a lot of controversy, in how Instagram stood with the topic of transgender.

15 16 1. A woman, most importantly, earlier in my transition my identity as a - trans woman was more important me, but less so now(3 years in) While talking some people within 2. Again, the most important thing is being seen as a woman. Trans wom the trans community, one of the main en are as much if a part of womanhood as cis women, and while I don’t things that they want in common is the - want people to ignore that Im trans, I have a big problem when people talk need of a safe space. The wish to be as if that makes me less of a woman than cis women accepted for who they are, without 3. Institutional support for all trans people, quality of life and life expec tancy for trans people(especially trans women of colour) is much much any fears of needing to hide in order - lower than cis people and before anything else the people in power should 1. I am non-binary and trans-masculine, but my personal to protect themselves. Having a be doing everything in their power to listen to trans people for solutions to style is more feminine. community of people, whether it be these problems and actually following through 2. I want people to perceive me as a femme boy, or an the whole trans community or just a 4. The trans community has saved my life before, literally, whether it’s drogynous small group of close friends is also - been through information or through crowdfunding, and the internet 3. I want to be listened to, rather than dismissed as too really important. Using a mind map to allows us to be there for each other in that way. That being said, theres different. summarize my thoughts to figure out a huge problem with white trans people not supporting trans people of 4. The community I have cultivated and found is wonder which direction to go in was quite a colour in the ways that we can and should be doing ful, of course not perfect, but still a safe haven. 5. Laws protecting and supporting trans people(trans panic defence, time 5. I wish the community was more accepting of gender challenge. I would definitely need to off and funding for gender affirming surgeries, as well as access to all nonconforming trans people, a lot of people even in the focus in on one or two parts, and not trans specific healthcare which is only available in big cities with 6 month community force gender stereotypes onto trans people. try to tackle all the different issues. wait times) 6. I am afraid of change, when all my life I have lived one 6. Honestly the biggest one is being murdered. I don’t know the exact stats way, it’s hard to embrace positive change. offhand but trans women get murdered at a MUCH higher rate than the INTERVIEWS general population and its something thats always in my mind. After that, the idea that I will never be able to afford gender affirming surgeries.

1. I identify as a lesbian female. (SUMMARY) 2. I just want people to see me as a person and respect my decisions and my life regardless of whether or not they understand it. 3. As a trans person I want people to respect my lifestyle and my choices as well as my identity. I’d like people to be as educated as possible and to view me as just another regular person because in my eyes, that’s all I am. 4. I think there is definitely some internal bigotry and gatekeeping within our community currently. There are those within the trans community - that see people who aren’t interested in surgical solutions as "less trans" than those who want it. Being trans isn’t about sex nor genitalia, it’s a complex matter of identity and where you fall on the spectrum. There are also those within the community who take trans rights a tad bit too far, claiming they should be entitled to more than they’re owed simply because they identity as a trans person. I believe both sides can be quite toxic to the public view of the community and that we need to find some common ground without going too far in either direction. 5. In our community and the world in general there is a lack of knowledge and a lack of resources to help aid young trans people and even cisgen der adults in gaining sufficient knowledge about what being trans is and why there are trans people. We lack resources to aid us in our transition and those around us lack knowledge on what the process is. We need more open lines of communication and a more open education system in place that talks about these things at length. 1. I identify myself as a male 6. I’m most afraid of being shunned, abused and ridiculed for being a trans person. I’m scared of being2. I wanttargeted people and attackedto see me for asmy a identity. male (not a trans male, not that there is anything 1. I identify as a feminist, Jewish, transgender woman wrong with that it’s just our society has a 2. I wan people to see me as a woman who is empowered and compassionate - way of viewing trans males as not “actual” 3. I want to live in a world where gender identity doesn’t play such a massive role in defining men) our lives experiences. I want for discrimination and violence against trans women to end, 3. What I want most is to pass when I’m especially the acute violence that indigenous, immigrant, and black and brown trans wom en have to experience. - in public and to be viewed as a real guy 5. At times, there is a lack of compassion and support for trans women who do not fit 4. I think our community needs more peo- conventional standards of beauty and femininity. Trans women especially are subjected to ple advocating for us and we need more misogynistic pressures to perform womanhood in a way that is desirable for others. Wealth groups that help out this community And ier, well--resourced (usually white) trans women should not set the standard for what trans more safe spaces people look/act like. Also, “LGBTQ” sometimes really just refers to LGBQ - trans women 5. Safe spaces 17 (especially straight trans women) can feel a disconnect between their experiences and those 6. Being clocked in public (someone 18 of others allegedly in their community. figuring out I’m trans because that can be 6. I am most afraid of being murdered by a man who doesn’t understand his desire for me. VERY dangerous) During my idea developement stage, IDEA #1 IDEA #2 the requirements that I set for my Support groups that have educated, A gym, only for trans people. A safe ideas included keywords such as well trained professionals on how to space for those who want to exercise safe space, inclusive, comfortable, help trans people. A comfortable without being judged (surgery, no and calm. These are words that I took and calm atmosphere, something surgery). away from the multiple interviews more friendly group vibe. All facilities, like pool, training, that I conducted with members of the yoga, etc. and maybe even training trans community. sessions. Something I wanted to focus on was the idea of a ‘safe space’ and what ‘safe’ really means. The concept that I think could really reflect that ‘safe space’ is idea #3.

IDEA #3 A hidden cafe space specifically for trans people, with a gallery acting as the main building, a place for trans artists to showcase their work and IDEA GENERATION raise awareness.

IDEA #4 IDEA #5 Instagram pop-up showcasing trans A makeup pop-up, where profession- artists work (from Instagram), making als would hold tutorial, group session up for what they did to Jasper Beh- to teach trans people how to do rends and his art. their makeup.

19 20 STRENGTHS OF FACEBOOK WEAKNESSES OF FACEBOOK Because Facebook itself has not the best image STRENGTHS OF INSTAGRAM WEAKNESSES OF INSTAGRAM Facebook is a great place to find Facebook unfortunately is not being with the trans community, and Instagram definitely Instagram is a great place to curate Because of Instagram’s algorithms, it and connect with a community of used as much as other social medias, has more positive vibes, I wanted to figure out an image of yourself, whether it is can sometimes be difficult to find the people with similar interests and like Instagram. Facebook also has a the strengths and weaknesses of each social me- good or bad. For trans people, it lets right community. Also, since you don’t expeirences, also good for finding pretty negative image, especially dia apps. This way, I could see how it would be them show the world who they truly have to reveal personal information, resources. As Facebook’s core val- with the trans community. It’s hard to possible to find a way to combine both platforms. are, their identity, since it’s very easy you don’t know if the person on the ues go, it’s a place to: show your true identity on FB, since It was kind of interesting how what Facebook to remain anonymous on Instagram. other side is real or not. >>give people the power to share they require you to use your real lacked in, Instagram had that as a strengths and It’s easy to share and be bold, to Another weakness is in the case and make the world more open and name and information, and with trans vice versa. I wanted to take the strengths of each show individuality. of Jasper Behrends as I mentioned connected<< people, sometimes that becomes platform and combine them for the final idea. An >> We bring you closer to the before, where his art was taken down complicated. idea i thought of was to create an offline version people and things you love << since it was deemed inappropriate. of both platforms, something where people can physically interact and go to, while maintaining the same strengths of both media platforms.

21 22 Since I decided to work with a physical space, I wanted to get an idea of what Instagram has done previously. Most of the physical spaces are pop-ups (which isn’t exactly what I am going for but it could bring some inspiration for what I want to do). Most of the Instagram pop-ups are for fashion, showcasing a new feature in the app (mainly for businesses). Its always done in an eye-catching and visually very aesthetic way. PREVIOUS INSTAGRAM POP-UP SHOPS

My idea of a physical space is definitely a long-term kind of established building. But the designs and colours that these pop-ups have I definitely took into consideration moving forward.

23 24 This workshop really opened my mind up to the different possibilities that I could take with this project. I think it was really helpful to think of the ‘what if’ questions. Originally, I had only FUTURE done the first two pages, but during my tutorial, Elvira asked me to draw up a scenario on something relating more to the focus of my own project which was ‘safe spaces’. Even though WORKSHOPS I wasn’t thinking that this workshop could even link back to my own project, I ended up creating this concept of a virtual safe space by using VR (idea came to me because of our current situation with Covid-19) 25 26 SPEAKEASY RESEARCH

Something that I was really inspired by was speakeasies. It was one of the initial things that really inspired some of my ideas. I looked into the history of speakeasies, what they were and what they are now. I thought the secret entrances that are a key part of speakeasies nowadays are super cool. However, speakeasies are bars, and I wanted to do something that was open to a lot of people, and bars aren’t really considered a ‘safe’ place at all.

27 28 Facebook / Transgender Cece Facebook / Transgender Cece 1. MISSION STATEMENT 2. WHO Target Audience : safe space targed for transgender people but creating awareness that can hopefully reach everyone and beyond CREATING SAFE ENVIRONMENT POWER TO SHARE AND CONNECT Tone-of-Voice : warm and inviting, understanding, respectful

SPREADING AWARENESS THROUGH THE POWER OF ART + TECHNOLOGY Personas: Name: Kat Age: 17 Identifies as Female Name: Sky Age: 23 Identifies as Male HIDDEN AND OUT THERE AT THE SAME TIME Occupation: Student Occupation: university student (studying abroad) works part-time at a vintage clothing shop Hobbies: - would love nothing more than to read in a quiet Hobbies: space on weekends with a hot cup of tea - movie enthusiast, loves the sci-fi genre (movies or - enjoys watching anime and mangas books, anything) - has a pet cat but is allergic to cats - has a habit of just lying and watching the stars at Facebook/IG Transgender (want) - wants to go into illustration for post-secondary night if there is good weather education - loves to write, is actually studying to be a writer - Share and connect - Safe Space - has way too many plant babies (scripts, books, etc.)

- IG: let’s you be who - A Voice Personality: shy, is an introvert, will only show herself Personality: tends to overthink situations, is quite with the people she truly feels safe with. very kind reserved and protective of self. works really hard you want to be - Awareness to all, doesn’t want to be in the spotlight. she is to save money to be able to afford transition open to conversations with people who just want surgery, a person who doesn’t give up no matter - Creative outlet - Conversation to know more about trans people or being trans- how difficult the situation is. he doesn’t want to be gender in general. would love to have a place outed in public but is still proud to be trans. just - Finds people that - Building a Community where she can go read and draw without the fear wants to be acknowledged as a male (not trans of being judged. male) are like you Fears: being shunned, abused, ridiculed. targeted Fears: being clocked in public, someone figuring and attacked simply because of her identity out that he is trans and procede to attack him

Facebook / Transgender Cece

2nd floor is the hidden cafe for trans people. this space is basically a cafe where people can do work, have little THE ______ATELIER gatherings, as well as hold small events. This would be the more “inside”, “quiet”, “laid back” part of the_atelier.

is a space where the online world meets the offline world. A space where those can feel safe but feel able to be outspoken at the same time. The underline within the name 1st floor being a gallery where transgender artists can show their represents that the concept is not defined, but rather the possibilities of what it can work, open to the public, very trans pride, using the power of art become is infinite. to speak to the audience. This is considered the “outside”, “loud”, PRESENTATION “outthere” part of the_atelier. + FEEDBACK

Technology Using the colours of the transgender flag, trying to do a screen-printed feel (makes it more raw and friendly feel)

The 5 minute presentation was quite Facebook / Transgender Cece Facebook / Transgender Cece difficult for me because my idea end- 4. WHY 5. WHERE ed up being quite big. It was hard to Key Research: Primary research :interviews with some people to get the idea of what they need Location condense it into 5 minutes but also issues with Facebook and transgender London, Shoreditch - foot traffic high portray it in the way that I see it in my - animated mural would be a nice contrast to the still graffiti - accepting, artistic, creative environment head. The main feedback was how to - the building would be able to blend in but also stand out have Facebook (or Instagram) play a more significant role, as it wasn’t apparent enough. I definitely think

I could’ve planned the 5 minutes < sims mockup of the ______atelier Why now: voice recording part better in order Show that they care, do something long-term rather than participate in pride to explain more of how Facebook / Merging the digital world and phsyical world together (able to connect both online and offline) Instagram played an important role in the foundation of my idea. 29 30 The ______Atelier, created by champagne & limousines champagne & limousines champagne & limousines champagne & limousines Instagram, is where the online culture #b4e1eb meets the offline world. The mission is to create a creative and safe space for those who are trans to be bold and unique and truly themselves. To build and/or find a strong community, not purely online but able to have #f2cece a place to meet. At the same time, starting a conversation and bringing awareness to the rest of the world through the power of art. Starting from spring 2021, it’s time to have #ebebeb Facebook focus more on the people than for their own image. The platform has such a strong foundation and values that can be easily translated to do good for the trans community. This is an opportunity for Facebook to build trust and understanding with the community. The entire establish- ment would be in the creative control of the trans community, creating job openings for trans people and a THE ______ATELIER place to celebrate trans pride. A place where trans artist can have a space to show their voice through their art. Using elements of new technology to enhance this voice and engage the rest of the world by - This is a space where things can happen. A space to atelier starting a healthy and eye-opening share and connect. A space where the decisions are (n.) a room or building in which an conversation. yours to make. Take the creative control and create artist works whatever you wish. We are here to support and bring you closer to the people and things that you love. No more limitations or restrictions, it’s simply a place for you to be bold and individually you. -

31 32 The audience of THE ______ATELIER is focused more on ‘a person that just happens to be trans’. The reasoning for this is although those fighting for trans rights are some of the most important people, sometimes, the rest of the community is forgotten under activism. Not all people are the same, some are out-going and proud while others are more intro- verted yet just as proud. For my project, I wanted to focus more on AUDIENCE PERSONAS the latter.

Name: Kat Age: 17 Identifies as Female Name: Sky Age: 23 Identifies as Male

Occupation: Student Occupation: university student (studying abroad) works part-time at a vintage clothing shop Hobbies: - would love nothing more than to read in a quiet space on Hobbies: weekends with a hot cup of tea - movie enthusiast, loves the sci-fi genre (movies or books, - enjoys watching anime and mangas anything) - has a pet cat but is allergic to cats - has a habit of just lying and watching the stars at night if - wants to go into illustration for post-secondary education there is good weather - has way too many plant babies - loves to write, is actually studying to be a writer (scripts, books, etc.) Personality: shy, is an introvert, will only show herself with the people she truly feels safe with. very kind to all, doesn’t Personality: tends to overthink situations, is quite reserved want to be in the spotlight. she is open to conversations and protective of self. works really hard to save money to with people who just want to know more about trans people be able to afford transition surgery, a person who doesn’t or being transgender in general. would love to have a give up no matter how difficult the situation is. he doesn’t place where she can go read and draw without the fear of want to be outed in public but is still proud to be trans. just being judged. wants to be acknowledged as a male (not trans male)

Fears: being shunned, abused, ridiculed. targeted and Fears: being clocked in public, someone figuring out that he attacked simply because of her identity is trans and procede to attack him 33 34 BUILDING MOCKUP IN SIMS4

The idea of THE ______ATELIER, came to me during the spring break. I had this image of a building in my head, although the details hadn’t been worked out yet, I wanted to visualize it somehow. I tried to draw it as I usually would, but the per- spective aspect was really difficult to capture and it was taking too much time. Then I realized I had the perfect software to visualize my idea quickly: Sims 4. In Sims4, there is a way to build something from scratch, which I took to my advantage. The build mode is a quick way for me to visualize my idea with as realistic as possible, since I could put in furniture items as well. It saves time and also easy to explain to others. When I finished building the mockup, I could then use the building layout and create a floor-plan and maybe build a scale model physically.

35 36 When looking at the location of where ‘THE ____ ATELIER’ would be situated, I looked at places within London that had high foot traffic. Those included Covent Garden, Soho, and Shoreditch. I ended up deciding on Shoreditch, since it’s LOCATION one of the most creative and em- bracing part of London. I believed that the image and value that ‘THE ____ ATELIER’ would be portraying would be depicted best RESEARCH in this location.

Shoreditch would be a great place to build a new building and have it both blend in and stand out. The brick walls and graffiti is very unique to this area, and overall, it is just a very accepting area. To me, Shoreditch is also an area where anyone can be anything, with no judgement against you. Individuality celebrated, especially seen on Brick Lane. This is something that I think ‘THE ____ ATELIER’ really stands for and would like to reflect itself.

37 38 SCALE MODEL OF THE ATELIER

After making the building in Sims4, I wanted to make it physically, even though I’m quarantined at home. I think making something physically makes me feel more involved and motivated with the project, and I was hoping to make a model if univeristy was still open anyways. I also think The first floor of the building is the making a model makes visualizing public gallery space, where artists easier and especially going forward big and small would be able to with the concept if you can see and showcase their work. The first artist touch it. Added some detail touches features would definitely be Jasper by adding plants and bookcases, as Behrends, as it would impression well as a coffee bar. and impact on the community to see someone whose work was previously not accepted by Instagram. This floor acts as the loud, out-going, making a statement towards the public about trans issues, while the second floor, the hidden cafe, dedicated only for those within the trans community. By joining the private Facebook group or following the private Instagram page, you could have exclusive access to this safe space and special events. The important thing to note is that access may be limited to trans people but only in order to create the safest environment. 38 39 MARK MAKING DESIGN ELEMENTS

I originally wanted to do the design elements in screen-printing and print making at university but that plan was not going to work. I still wanted to do something that had texture and a raw feel to it so I did a mark making session at home. Using paint in the colour of the trans flag and card- board, some stencils that I made of the alphabet, I started making marks and my own lettering that I could use later on for the design elements of THE ______ATELIER. Another thing I did was outline the map of Shoreditch in a couple of ways, so I could use the illustration as imagery later on. I thought it would be better to use imagery that relates to the building or the location than stock images or completely random marks.

40 41 SPECIAL EVENTS

One of the things that I really wanted to incorporate within the concept of THE ______ATELIER was to create a stronger sense of community through these special events that happen ev- ery month. Obviously, these would be up to the trans community to decide upon but some examples that I’ve come up with are talent showcases, open mic nights, and weekly group talk sessions. I wanted all of these events to have this accepting and inviting feel which I tried to showcase through the event handouts. By using the elements that I made during the mark making session, it resulted in a very homemade, friendly and inviting feel to the overall vibe. These events are meant to let people feel comfortable enough and accepted to show their talents and be themselves in a public space.

42 43 PROJECTION MAPPING

WORKSHOP (PART 1)

This workshop really made me think The storyboard in my opinion was about the technology aspect that not enough and I really wanted the I was going to use as part of my idea to come to life. I decided to project. I came up with two ideas go about recreating it properly by during the workshop, but one was drawing each from in procreate, definitely stronger than the other. I since it’s something that I am familiar really wanted to incorporate the with and I am good at. It also has the issue of Instagram taking down Jasper function of exporting the different Behrends art, and I thought that the layers into a gif, super convenient. best way to make a moving image that would be projected or dis- To mock it up, I had already built the played on the wall of the building. I model of the building (since I didn’t thought his art was some of the most want to mock it up onto a template powerful images that could be said of a random building), I took the best without words or sound. I drew a pictures that I could in my house. I quick storyboard of combining two thought this would show the con- of his artworks together. When talking cept in the best way that I visualize with Hanna, she suggested that since in my head. I then used Final Cut to my building was a very simple shape add the gif/mov onto the building. and that projections could really Warping it a little to make it flush with only stand out during the night, the the building. animation could be displayed using an LED board that could show the powerful image throughout the day. The contrast between the still graffiti that surrounds Shoreditch and a pop-art like moving image would definitely be eye catching to people passing by. 44 45 PROJECTION MAPPING

WORKSHOP (PART 2)

46 47 AUGMENTED REALITY

The other technology idea that I had was to somehow create an AR that if you scanned anything with the name THE ______ATELIER, information like opening hours, location, link to instagram, calendar of events, and featured artists would pop up on the side. This is a concept that I saw was possible with a lot of business cards but I wanted to make it possible for more than just that. This way, the function could be used within Instagram as a filter, which would be a nice way to link to other artist’s pages.

48 49 Something I really wanted to address was the ‘real name’ controversy. I wanted to help expedite the process of those who want to change their facebook name. Through the official page of THE ______ATELIER, you could get special access to some- SOCIAL MEDIA one with the direct link to Facebook in order to verify your reason to change your name in a faster way. Facebook is also a better way to create and invite people to events,

Instagram would play the lead role in social media since the AR filter would be accessible to those who follow the official THE ______ATELIER account. There would be a balance of event notice posts as well as the artists artwork.

If the official Instagram page were to promote the gallery aspect of THE ______ATELIER by they themselves posting the artwork of Jasper Behrends, I think it would really show the community that they are putting in the effort to mend the relationship and trust that they previously broke.

50 51 Overall, I found this project to coding can create really cool convenient and efficient. The reason be challenging in multiple ways but outcomes) but the idea I had in mind why I ended up building a physical am quite proud of the results. Firstly, didn’t really require the addition of scale model on top of the mockup the topic of ‘transgender’ is a really creative technology. In my opinion, was because I really wanted to sensitive subject, but pairing it with it wouldn’t really add to the real do something by hand while being Facebook made it twice as difficult. aim and value of the whole idea. stuck in my home. It was really easy I am not part of the LGBTQ+ com- But, it was a part of the brief, and I to lose motivation and I wanted EVALUATION munity, but I do know people who could have come up with an idea to do something to keep my mind are. I think speaking first hand with that incorporated technology more. going and my hands busy. It was a someone in the trans community and However, I feel like my final idea for really fun challenge to figure out the hearing about their struggles and ex- The ______Atelier was the best dimensions and how to put the model perience gave me a better insight to in terms of creating a good strong together. Since I was also originally what I was about to head into. I think relationship between Facebook and planning to do the design elements I did really well in the initial research the transgender community. I feel that in screen printing at university, I tried stages, I tried my best to look at as my idea can rebuild the trust that recreating that in my own mark mak- much information as possible, and es- was lost and make this not seem like ing session. I was never really com- pecially for transgender, I wanted to a publicity stunt or something done fortable in making random marks and be well educated in the terminology for the image of Facebook. I want the doing things with paint, but I thought and the history. Something I could’ve transgender community to perceive this would be a good time to bring researched more is Instagram, but this action as being genuine and that my out of my comfort zone. I really it was hard to find information on their needs were the priority. enjoyed making my own typography just the social media platform (the I think I did really well in the using stencils, a sponge and some history, articles, etc) without getting project despite being in lockdown. I paint. I think the final result came out Instagram pages. made the best effort within my capa- better than I expected and it made One thing I really struggled with bilities and my resources. Something me feel really accomplished during was the technology aspect. I am not that I’m proud of figuring out is being the quarantine. opposed to new technology and able to build a mockup of the build- learning new techniques (I do think ing through Sim4. Though I’m not sure projection mapping and creative it’s the most professional, it was fun, 52 53