A design toolbox aimed at solving an intercommunity-based problem — queer creatives lacking a platform to showcase, spotlight, and support their voices and work.
Introduction
Within the developing years, diversity and inclusivity have been at the forefront of progress, creating space and accessibility for individuals across different identities to share their experiences and knowledge. In selecting a social issue, I looked at my identity — a queer designer — and researched whether a space exists; minimal open areas existed for me. Expanding the scope revealed even more limited opportunities for other creatives in general. Thus, the goal was to create a brand identity toolbox, creating a setting for the promotion and open dialogue for queer creatives.
Scope of Work
UX/UI Design: Website (Desktop & Mobile)
Research and Interviewing
Brand Identity
Social Media & Marketing Media
This project is currently being updated. Below will showcase past and current editions.
2020 Edition: Queer & Design
Beginning Direction
Initially, a smaller-scale vision, Queer & Design, was planned. The original problem was a lack of visibility for queer designers and a solution to create a space allowing them to express their work, voice, and whether or not their queer identity comes into their designer self. A visual system focusing on being bold and expressive while being minimal with details was explored.
Container and Tools
To approach a lack of visibility, a website was selected with the tools of an archival blog system to talk about the designers, their work, and their experience, and a podcast aimed to have interactive interviews with designers across different identities.
A Revisit
Upon stepping back into my past designs, I saw how Queer & Design only skimmed the surface of the problem. Critically, I felt the visual system lacked boldness and expression, while the website seemed limited in its actions and what users and queer designers can do. Despite these, I saw the potential of expanding this project in scope and design.
2023 Edition: QUERC
Bold, expressive, and a bit quirky
Logo & Typefaces
Initially, the logo was intended to resemble the ampersand (&) mark with the letter forms of Q and D — relating to the original name “Queer & Design.” The updated logo form works similarly but with the letter forms of Q and C — for the expanded focus on queer and creative. The slight curvature line was added to connect to the developed visual assets of abstract squiggles.
The original header typeface, HellenicWideJF, remained due to its bold and characteristic letter forms. However, the subheading and body copy fonts were updated to better work with the slab serif header. Museo Slab keeps with the slab serif class with rounded and curved shapes. Warnock Pro is a structured serif that allows easy legibility on digital media.
Color & Assets
In the beginning, colors were explored to have high contrast. The initial palette achieved this yet needed a sense of boldness and playfulness. The redeveloped palette was created with these qualities in mind, selecting highly saturated and contrasting colors and stark neutrals for balance. As shown above, a color study was used to help understand how the colors stood against each other.
As stated before, the previous visual system lacked expression and personality. Assets of frames and freeform lines were added to introduce a sense of “quirkiness.” The frame shapes are used as a structural background and focal points for images and parts of the website. Contrasting, the abstract lines are used as both icons and add playfulness.
Who are the queer creatives? Where can I find them? How can others hear their voices?
So, who are you looking for?
One of QUERC's priorities is to be accessible, allowing anyone to look or research for specific queer creatives. Additionally, QUERC prioritizes creatives' voices and interactive conversations. Initially, a website container was selected for accessibility, containing tools of an archival blog and podcast. With more development, additional features of joining QUERC and a social media presence were explored to encourage interactions between queer creatives and the audience.
