RRRIOT! is a monthly music showcase in Baltimore, MD featuring all-female punk rock bands. The objective for this project was to collect data through research and interviews create a set of branded deliverables that could tell a story of an experience that addressed users’ needs and pain points.
research & process
Framing the project as an experience that would help people who weren’t familiar with women’s rights issues or didn’t know how to contribute, I interviewed several users and gathered data that would feed into my final concept.
USER PERSONA
How might we design a brand experience that helps the passive friend overcome not having the means to participate in discussion/activism so that they can connect and actively contribute towards women’s rights issues?
KEY LEARNINGS
People outside of the demographic(s) directly affected by the issue don’t know how to show support in a meaningful way. They (all interviewees were cisgender men) felt like their attendance at rallies and protests would feel and seem performative.
Overall, users felt that most unique concept would garner least interest/least accessible, least favorite concept would be most popular because most accessible.
Social media has enabled people worldwide to unite and push harder for equal rights (a specific example mentioned in interviews was the #MeToo movement), although there is still a significant amount of work to be done.
How might we design a brand experience that helps the passive friend overcome not having the means to participate in discussion/activism so that they can connect and actively contribute towards women’s rights issues?
KEY LEARNINGS
People outside of the demographic(s) directly affected by the issue don’t know how to show support in a meaningful way. They (all interviewees were cisgender men) felt like their attendance at rallies and protests would feel and seem performative.
Overall, users felt that most unique concept would garner least interest/least accessible, least favorite concept would be most popular because most accessible.
Social media has enabled people worldwide to unite and push harder for equal rights (a specific example mentioned in interviews was the #MeToo movement), although there is still a significant amount of work to be done.
SACRIFICIAL CONCEPTS
#1 Graphic Design Magazine
This magazine would come out quarterly and feature graphic design work of female graphic designers as well as interviews and articles about how their experiences feed into their work.
#2 Punk Rock Concert
Many female punk rock bands stemmed from the riot grrrl movement in the 90s and address political and social issues, addressing rape, sexual assault and harassment, LGBTQ+ rights, etc., and this concert would bring attention to them as well as provide a space where people can support women’s right while enjoying an event.
#3 Monthly Discussion Group
Each month at a designated space (ex. a community center) people of all ages and genders are welcome to come to a discussion group where people can share experiences and learn about others’ experiences in a more casual environment.
#1 Graphic Design Magazine
This magazine would come out quarterly and feature graphic design work of female graphic designers as well as interviews and articles about how their experiences feed into their work.
#2 Punk Rock Concert
Many female punk rock bands stemmed from the riot grrrl movement in the 90s and address political and social issues, addressing rape, sexual assault and harassment, LGBTQ+ rights, etc., and this concert would bring attention to them as well as provide a space where people can support women’s right while enjoying an event.
#3 Monthly Discussion Group
Each month at a designated space (ex. a community center) people of all ages and genders are welcome to come to a discussion group where people can share experiences and learn about others’ experiences in a more casual environment.
There’s already a history of female punk rock bands fighting for equal rights, the riot grrrl movement of the 90s, so I looked to it (as well as 90s experimental graphic design) for reference and considered ways to frame my showcase as a “revival” of or paying homage to the movement.
01. flyer
02. buttons
03. zine
