Love, A Human
Rafe Hawkins
The intent behind this t-shirt design is a message of wholehearted, unreserved affirmation and love for Transgender people.
Design Problem
The brief for this project began with a focus on hands. Our hands are one of our species’ most unique traits, central to our creativity and our identity. It was important to me to center humanity within my design, and to place Trans people within the core of human experience, so I chose a gesture that combines the dexterity of the human hand with an abstracted expression of love and connection.
From its origins in Korea and spread through online communities, the finger-heart gesture is recognizable across the world. It is usually seen from the viewer’s perspective. By reversing the view, I tried to place the giver of affirmation back into the frame, and to emphasize the reciprocity of love: by offering it to others, we invite it for ourselves.
Description of the Project
I was interested in the organic shapes of the hand and wanted to emphasize that flow and rhythm. While staying within the pink, white, and blue palette of the Trans Pride flag, I used a range of values to achieve visual hierarchy: the darkest and most saturated shades for the lettering and the heart; then the outline of the hand; and the lightest, softest shades for the modeling.
Process
About me
A 34-year-old Transgender educator and artist, happily married for ten years and studying for my BSc in Design and Innovation. Interested in solving problems better and making the world a little more fun.