Activism in Graphic Design: My Tribute to Favianna Rodriguez and Protecting Trans Lives
As a graphic designer, I’ve always been inspired by the power of visual communication to raise awareness and create positive change in the world. Recently, I worked on a meaningful graphic design project that allowed me to pay tribute to one of the graphic designers I admire most, Favianna Rodriguez, while also addressing a critical issue close to my heart – the protection of trans people. In this blog post, I’ll take you through my creative process and the thought behind my poster design, which aimed to amplify the voices of the trans community and support the incredible work of The Trevor Project.
Inspiration and Influence: Favianna Rodriguez
Before delving into the project itself, I want to shed light on the remarkable artist who served as my inspiration for this poster design. Favianna Rodriguez is a very influential artist and activist who uses her graphic design skills to create artwork that highlights important issues and speaks to the struggles of marginalized communities, particularly the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities. Her distinct style, characterized by vibrant colors, bold imagery, and unique figures is not only visually pleasing, but also compels viewers to engage with the pressing issues she addresses in her art.
Choosing the Cause: Protecting Trans Lives
For my project, I knew I wanted to select an issue that was both relevant and close to my heart. The protection of trans people immediately came to mind, given the ongoing discrimination, violence, and inequality that trans people face worldwide. As someone who is also close to a lot of trans people, it felt important to me to use my platform as a graphic designer to contribute to the fight for trans rights and raise awareness about this pressing issue.
Designing the Poster
My goal when designing this poster was to convey a message to people about protecting trans people. To get this message across in a clear and unambiguous way, I incorporated large, impactful words at the top left of the poster saying, “Protect Trans People.” Beneath this statement, I also included the hashtag, “#TheTrevorProject”, to direct viewers to The Trevor Project, an organization that aims to provide essential support the LGBTQ+ community, including trans people.
To symbolize the identity and struggles of the trans community, I created a background gradient that blended together light blue, pink, and white, the colors of the trans flag. This gradient served to provide a visual connection to the trans identity and also create a sense of pride and belonging within the community.
Favianna Rodriguez's Influence
One of the most exciting aspects of this project was emulating Favianna Rodriguez’s distinctive style. Her artwork often features dynamic figures with bold, exaggerated features. I incorporated this style into my poster by creating two prominent figures at the bottom – one representing a trans man and the other a trans woman. I included top surgery scars in the colors of the trans flag on the trans man and made sure both figures looked proud of their identities. Their strong, resilient postures and expressive faces echo Favianna’s iconic style while also conveying the courage and strength of the trans community.
The Message
Through this poster, I aimed to convey a message of protection, love, and acceptance for trans people. The large, striking words at the top serve as a call to action, urging viewers to join the cause, and the figures represent the pride and strength within the trans community, allowing viewers to connect on a personal level.
This graphic design project allowed me to pay homage to Favianna Rodriguez, an influential force in the world of art and activism, while also advocating for the protection of trans lives. It’s a reminder of the power of visual storytelling and the responsibility we have as artists to address critical issues and contribute to positive change. By raising awareness and supporting organizations like The Trevor Project, we can create a world where trans individuals are celebrated, protected, and free to be their authentic selves.
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