Introduction

What can representation look like? This capstone Just U imitates a print 2000s teen magazine that highlights unique gender expression, using nostalgia, satire, and stylistic sensibilities of the time as tools to promote understanding and celebration of diverse identities. Just U implores the audience to rethink their perceived conception of gender and how it’s informed by what is represented in popular culture. 

Literature Review

The capstone's aesthetics were mostly influenced by Seventeen magazine, specifically the May 2007 edition. The Artist pulled the almost tacky elements of the graphic design throughout the magazine, including clashing colors and fonts, white backgrounds, bold shapes, and polarizing language. The magazines also informed how the artist structured other material in the final product, like interactive quizzes and styling information. 

Natalie Wynn of ContraPoints greatly influenced the artist’s understanding of untraditional gender expression, especially concerning trans persons. In her video essay,  J.K. Rowling she dissects the arguments made by TERFs (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists) and how they are often ill-informed. Her explanation of the book Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters was especially informative, as transphobia towards trans-masc individuals usually isn’t discussed. A more scholarly source the artist sought to build their knowledge was Reactions of the Transgender Community Regarding Media Representation by Chani Wellborn. The thesis puts together the interviews of multiple trans women and their own experiences with representation. It reiterated the idea that media influences people's perception of gender and that in their youth, many interviewees sought representation in media, both of which are ideas that tie back into this project's concept.

Methods

The process of creating the 10 pages that make up the magazine was largely the same. The Artist utilized Adobe Illustrator and the Adobe Stock Library to lay out textual and graphic elements. Websites such as Pinterest and Internet Archive were used to source material that influenced the project stylistically. A conversational interview was conducted with a friend of the Artist. The Photos for the interview were taken by the artist. Textual elements were derived from an audio recording of the interview that was later transcribed. The artist also utilized StrawPage to create a website to house civic engagement opportunities, charities, and resources. This will be accessed through a QR code on the artist's display at Arts Fest.

Audience & Impact

This capstone mostly serves as something for people with nontraditional gender expression to enjoy, especially the more satirical elements, and see representation in to some capacity. It could still be useful to those who fall outside of that demographic. Through something like the interview, individuals unfamiliar with the subject can walk away with a first hand experience which in turn could promote more understanding. Through the magazine's more nostalgic and satirical elements, the magazine could provide a familiar perspective for the audience.

References

Shoket, Ann. Seventeen. Hearst Corporation, May 2007.

Wellborn, Chani. Reactions of the Transgender Community Regarding Media Representation. 2015. Thesis. MavMatrix, mavmatrix.uta.edu/communication_theses/51/.

Wynn, Natalie. “J.K. Rowling.” YouTube, uploaded by ContraPoints, 26 January 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gDKbT_l2us.

Acknowledgments♡

I would like to thank the following individuals for advising and assisting in the completion of my Capstone project. Irene Park for being a wonderful advisor who guided my project to success.  Violet Cox for being such an amazing subject. Heather-Erin Bremenstuhl and all my practicum peers for providing me with valuable critique. Finally, thanks to each of my friends who gave me feedback, support, and insight.