... is something I hope you never have to hear in any shape or form; though if you do (or have already heard this) I hoped to convey that this concept of color-blindness is damaging and dismissive.
The official prompt
This design challenge wants to bring awareness to microaggressions in language (using words and phrases that have historical context and implications of which we may not be aware). Participants are encouraged to examine unconscious bias through an artistic lens and to bring forth implicit messaging into explicit awareness. The design should focus on unconscious bias and create new dialog around it through artistic expression. If you take on this challenge, imagine how you might educate your peers about microaggressions/bias in communication on posters in your local elevator.
Some of the thoughts that went into the final design
What drew me to this design challenge?
Just reading the word “microaggressions” in the design prompt frankly stirred up a lot of emotion in me. Both negative and positive. Negative because each time I face or hear about an instance of microaggression, it has a particular way of crushing the spirit. Positive in that each time I face or hear about an instance, I’m better at communicating why a certain word or phrase is offensive, hopefully resulting in change. For this challenge I chose a particular microaggression that’s stuck with me through the years. At the moment of impact, I didn’t have the words to describe why it bothered me. On the surface it seemed harmless, even nice? But it was neither harmless nor nice, it was rooted in privilege and racism. Through this design challenge I hoped to be candid and continue the dialogue about race.
What went into the design process, what did I research, and how did I go beyond the brief?
I first reflected on the instance of microaggression, when that well-intentioned person assured me that “they don’t see color.” I contemplated how to pinpoint what bothered me about it, and how I could translate that into art. I started by googling that phrase, and was very sad but affirmed to find that I wasn't alone in this experience — like so many human experiences. Overall, I found through research that to deny color is to announce your privilege and to dismiss history, the good and the bad. And I thought about how there are so many different hues of human skin color, each beautiful in their own way. It’s a tragedy to not see them all.
That’s what initially gave me the idea to have overlapping circles to represent the spectrum of skin color. In terms of the message, I wanted it to be clear and to the point. First, drawing people in through the bold and controversial statement:
“When I look at you, I don’t see color.”
Which, I expected to evoke feelings of, “Huh… that doesn’t sound right.”
Then, as the viewer scans down to the overlapping hues of skin color, I show how the above statement is rooted in denial.
Finally, landing on the translation at the bottom, that explains why the above statement is hurtful, and how at its core it’s saying, “It’s more comfortable to not acknowledge race than deal with the difficult issues that come with it.”
What was the voting process like?
It was so exciting watching the live voting (which was on our Amazon-wide design slack), but at the same time really nerve-racking!! 😬 I thought every poster that was submitted was incredible with powerful messages.
If I can leave you with one thing
My hope is that the dialogue about race won’t stop and the words shared will be seasoned with grace.
