XYZ (Publication)
Mapping gender identity and societal expectations of gender through gender pronouns
ISTD Submission 2023
Team
Solo
My Role
Research & Strategy
Concept Development
Editorial Design
Typesetting
Book Craft
Timeframe
Nov 2022–Jan 2023
Awards
ISTD Pass Award 2023;
Shortlisted for Book Design at IDI Graduate Awards 2023
My submission to the ISTD 2023 tackled their brief “Mapping the World.” My publication, XYZ, explores the language we use to identify our gender (and sexual orientation) to ourselves and others, through statements and labels such as personal gender pronouns, and maps this against societal expectations of gender.
The Opportunity
XYZ breaks down the gendered language of personal pronouns and re-expresses it clearly and simply so that everyone can access the language required to engage with conversations of gender and identity. The main aim of the publication is to clarify the confusion around gender pronouns, and to draw awareness and visibility to the use of gender pronouns, and their importance for identity, with the goal of educating the general public.
The Solution
My publication explores themes of identity and self expression. Using etymological diagrams and the notion of a lexicon, I built a system of symbols mapping gendered language with societal expectations. I combined preexisting gender symbols to create new modes of signifying the various gender identities between the binaries. This publication would be available to the public through schools, workplaces and public spaces such as libraries and cultural centers, as part of a hypothetical initiative (XYZ) launched in association with an Irish LGBTQ+ organisation such as ShoutOut. It could be used as a gender pocketbook/ dictionary/ index by people to further their understanding of gender pronouns.