EMBRACE the ACE a campaign for asexuality awareness
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Introduction
3
Design Solution & Terms
4
Design Components & Schedule
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Card Designs
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Posters
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Social Media Campaign
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INTRODUCTION
the problem
the solution
In a society that is so flooded with images of sex
The primary objective of this campaign is to
and sexuality, it can be difficult for those who
introduce the idea into society and make it a more
identify as asexual to feel like they fit in. This
recognizable term and concept. The design should
campaign would draw attention to asexual issues
be simple, straightforward and easy to understand.
and educate those who do not understand the
Exposure is the overall goal of the campaign. This
sexuality or what it means to be asexual. This
should help open up the discussion within society
campaign is also meant to reach people who may
about the more ‘invisible’ sexualities and that not
identify as asexual and educate them. Finding a
everyone fits perfectly in the ‘heterosexual’ box or
label that fits them provides a sense of community
the ‘homosexual’ box.
and belonging that they might not have felt before this understanding. 3
DESIGN SOLUTION My design solution will try and reach out to as many
However, there will also be the chance to address
people as possible. However, younger people will be the
the LGBTQA+ community as well, since asexuality
primary target audience to help them understand as they
is considered a more ‘invisible’ identity within the
find their place in the world. To do this I would utilize
community. During pride parades, there’s almost no
print advertising such as magazine ads, bus stops, etc. to
representation for asexual people and even some people
catch people’s attention and at least introduce them to
in the community do not want asexual people included
the word or concept. Social media campaigns will also
in the LGBTQA+ community. This can be even more
be utilized to help reach people who are struggling to
hurtful and be confusing for asexual people as they
identify how they fit in the world. The primary audience
struggle to figure out how they fit in this world and begin
will be those who are sorely lacking in any kind of
to feel as if they’re ‘broken’ for being the way they are.
knowledge surrounding the LGBTQA+ community.
TERMS TO KNOW Asexuality: Defined as a lack of sexual attraction to any gender. Ace: Shortened nickname for people who identify as asexual. Ace Spectrum: A spectrum in which people can identify including demisexual (someone who doesn’t experience sexual attraction unless a strong bond has already formed) and grey-sexual (someone who experiences very little sexual attraction.) Romantic Orientation: Describes the gender to which the person is attracted to romantically, not sexually. Used for asexual people who do not experience sexual attraction, but still experience romantic attraction. 4
DESIGN COMPONENTS Poster Series: Minimum of two (2) posters as part of a series/collection. Deck of Cards: A unique set of cards produced in the colors of the asexual flag, to be used as informational ‘Ace’ cards to help explain the sexuality. Infographic: A simple infographic about what asexuality is to share on social media. Social Media Campaign Posts: Several single image posts that can be easily shared to spread information and awareness about asexuality.
LIMITATIONS Potential limitations include how much information I can include on items such as the posters/billboards, which people will only look at for a moment. The cards could also present an interesting challenge within
SCHEDULE WEEK 5
Research is conducted and concepts explored.
WEEK 6
Concepts and ideas are continued to be explored, design solution is proposed.
WEEK 7
Continued work on Visual Thesis. All work is compiled and work begins on cards and infographic.
WEEK 8
Completion of the campaign design. The posters and a potential billboard are created and finishing touches will be completed on the infographic and cards. Final Visual Thesis is handed in.
the remaining time, but I’m hoping to at least do something simple. A simple brochure gets turned into an object people can take home and use. However, if this campaign were to be put into motion, these could be an expensive method of advertising.
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CARD DESIGNS LGBTQA: A is for Asexuality ROMANTIC ORIENTATION
LGBTQA: A is for Asexuality
LGBTQA: A is for Asexuality
LGBTQA: A is for Asexuality
We are not broken.
It isn’t a mental illness. It isn’t a hormone imbalance.
Chastity is a choice. Asexuality isn’t.
Describes the gender to which the person is attracted to romantically, not sexually. Used for asexual people who do not experience sexual attraction, but still experience romantic attraction.
LGBTQA: A is for Asexuality ACE SPECTRUM
A spectrum in which people can identify including demisexual (someone who doesn’t experience sexual attraction unless a strong bond has already formed) and grey-sexual (someone who experiences very little sexual attraction.)
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LGBTQA: A is for Asexuality
Asexuality is a lack of sexual attraction to any gender
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POSTERS
Poster series that can hang beside each other like a narrative to the viewer.
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SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN #embracetheace The Embrace the Ace social media campaign is meant to not only spread information about asexuality but promote positivity around the orientation. Most asexual campaigns focus primarily on awareness, while other LGBTQ+ identities focus on pride regarding their sexuality. Pride is rarely ever associated with asexuality and this campaign encourages people who identify as asexual to embrace and take pride in who they are. This social media campaign also helps define the term for those who might not have heard of this sexuality before.
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INFOGRAPHIC ASEXUALITY: THE INVISIBLE IDENTITY WHAT IS ASEXUALITY? Asexuality is an orientation just like heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, etc. However, people who are asexual do not experience sexual attraction to any gender. Asexual people may refer to themselves as ‘ace.’
LOVE DOES NOT EQUAL SEX
AROMANTIC/DEMIROMANTIC
Lack of romantic attraction or only experiences romantic attraction only once a deep bond has formed.
Aces need love too!
HETEROMANTIC
Romantic attraction to a different gender.
ROMANTIC ORIENTATIONS HOMOROMANTIC
Romantic attraction to the same gender.
BIROMANTIC
Romantic attraction to both men and women.
PANROMANTIC
Romantic attraction to all genders.
ACES MIGHT... Fall in love Experience arousal and orgasm Choose to engage or not to engage in sexual activities, including masturbation
Asexuality is different for everyone. Even though asexual people don’t experience sexual attraction doesn’t mean that they don’t experience romantic attraction. For example, Paul can be asexual and homoromantic. This means that Paul isn’t sexually attracted to any gender, but can still desire a romantic relationship with someone of the same gender.
ASEXUALITY ISN’T... Abstinence because of a bad relationship or religious reasons Celibacy Sexual repression, aversion or dysfunction
Be of any gender, age or background
Loss of libido due to age or circumstance
Have a spouse and/or children
Fear of intimacy Inability to find a partner Source: thetrevorproject.org
#embracetheace For more information go to asexuality.org 12
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KAT TAPPARO SENIOR SEMINAR SUMMER 2017