Thesis Question
3
Research
13
Concepting/Branding
43
Stories
59
Senior Show
81
It’s what’s on the inside that counts 1
How can I use design to make an impact by creating awareness and garner support for individuals who are discriminated against because of their body modification?
Thesis Question 3
Week 1
Dec. 12-21
Friday
Tuesday
Thursday
Reviews went well, I think. I got some good advice but I’m still unsure of what I should do for my senior project since I was told not to do a How To Book. I just don’t know where I am going to go with it.
Started following Tattoodo on facebook. The post a lot of cool stuff, videos and articles about tattoos.
My brother is finally home from college. We went out to US Toy today after work to look for stuff for Emery’s birthday. We found some awesome Frozen decorations she’s going to love.
Sunday First day to sleep in, thank god. Started playing a game called
Trivia Crack. It’s super addicting. The graphics are really good though. There’s cute little animations for each of the categories.
Wednesday Watched a video about this new technology that they are theorizing that you can implant under your skin and then digitally be able to change your tattoo to anything in the program or turn them off at any time. Sounds great but I don’t know if anything could replace traditional tattooing, it has been around for thousands of years.
Friday Spent the entire day making Emery’s birthday cake. I made 5 separate cakes just to make one tiered one. Making cakes is serious work, but it was fun trying something new.
Saturday Today we had Emery’s 3rd birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Emery got way too many toys. She has everything to be Elsa now.
Week 2 Monday
Thursday
Back to work, last shift before Christmas thankfully.
Emery woke up to a great Christmas morning. I’ve been spending the last two months getting Christmas presents for her. Sucks that her birthday is right before Christmas though. After opening all her presents we’re headed out to Chris’ family in Kansas.
Tuesday Of course I get seriously sick right before Christmas.
Dec. 22-28
Wednesday It’s Christmas Eve, doing Christmas with my family tonight. Went to my dad’s then my grandma’s house and didn’t have dinner at either. Of course they’re doing it tomorrow while we’re on our way to Chris’ parents so we’ll miss that dinner too.
5
Week 3
Dec. 29-4
Monday
Friday
Back to work, really looking forward to vacation because it has been super slow, I hate not making money.
Had to drive Emery all the way down to Chris’ parents, so literally spent about 8 hours in the car today.
Tuesday
Saturday
Thanks to Nick, I’ve been doing pretty much nothing but watching movies on Popcorn Time. It’s great, it’s designed similarly to Netflix, but for free!
Today is the day! We flew to Houston and got on the cruise ship.
Thursday Last day of work before vacation! Hate working New Years though since I couldn’t do anything last night and there’s no business today. Bullshit.
Week 4
Jan. 5-11
Sunday
Tuesday
Friday
Today is our first full day at sea. Probably gonna hang out and see what there is to do on the ship.
Today we went to Belize. It was pretty cool. We got to go see the Mayan ruins which were impressive. Learned a lot about the country too, might have to buy some land there since it’s super cheap.
Today we attended an art auction on the ship. It was pretty cool, got to see some Picasso’s and Miro’s. Found an artist, Tim Yanke, who I absolutely love, his paintings are so bright. I want one, disappointed that I couldn’t afford one.
Monday Today we went to Mexico. Not my favorite place. I hate when people approach you and they try to sell you stuff off the street. It wasn’t as bad as Turkey but still annoying. Had a guy put his monkey on me without me even asking, then try to charge me $5 for it. The “private” beach we went to wasn’t great either. Plus I got hurt twice while on our excusrsion
Wednesday Today is our last shore day. We’re in Honduras, but we didn’t plan any excursions today. Spent the day just walking around the shops. We bought an awesome wood keg with little wooden barrel shot glasses.
7
Week 5
Jan. 12-18
Monday Ugh, back to work.
Thursday Well after 2 years of work, I was fired today. I refused to take out my earrings, which had been considered acceptable up until this point. And, to top it off, they are saying that is me quitting for not following policy, what kind of bullshit is that? How can your employer hire you exactly the way you look, then fire you 2 years later for looking exactly the same? I’m tired of being discriminated against for the way I look. People need to be more accepting, and it should be protected under my rights. Someone needs to fight for these rights, something needs to be done.
This is how I looked when I was fired. I in no way consider this to be unacceptable or excessive. I had already changed my nose ring to something small and discreet when I was asked.
9
Week 6
Jan. 19-25
Monday
Friday
Sunday
Spent the day at DSS trying to change my benefits now that I’m unemployed, what a pain.
Spent about 6 hours sanding, staining and painting the crates. Such a pain, should of just bought new ones, too bad I can’t afford them now.
Finished the table, cant wait for the polyurethane to dry so we can finally bring it upstairs. Only took about 3 days! Oh, and I practiced tattooing again today, really want to find an apprenticeship.
Wednesday Starting a pintrest project trying to make a table since I didn’t find one I liked at Ikea.
Thursday Bought my crates.
Saturday Got the whole thing put together.
Week 7
Jan. 26-1
Monday
Announced that my new degree project will be over tattoo and piercing acceptance in the workplace. I want to start a campaign that could change the acceptance of body modification. I started researching and have found a similar organization, but they do not seem to be doing much to change laws, which is what I want to do.
Thursday Trying to figure out a schedule for degree project, but not exactly sure what all I will need to do yet. So here is a rough draft.
The Schedule Week 1-
Week 3-
research and concepting
proposal of artifacts
draft of potential solutions
goals, objectives, audience possible interviews with artists & lawyers
Week 2research possible audience research state laws what goes into a campaign? practice tattooing
begin coming up with a name and logo
Week 4sketch logo finalize logo and branding
11
Research was comprised of articles, books, surveys and personal stories given to me by individuals.
Research 13
Thesis on Body Modification Discrimination by Anonymous The subject of body piercing is a much-heated
advances in sterilization techniques. In fact, from
debate. Conservative parents view it as threat,
1985-1997 there were no known cases of HIV/
while younger generations use body modifications
AIDS transmission from tattooing or body piercing.
to express themselves. This controversy is inevi-
And though possible, the transmission of hepatitis
table. But a problem occurs when body piercings
by this method was unlikely (Cantalano). Another
become the basis for discrimination. A man with
risk of piercings is keloids, or scar formations. They
a small stud in his chin will find it harder to gain
are purely cosmetic and removable with simple
employment then an un-pierced man. Likewise, a
surgery. Of course, there is a reasonable amount
woman who receives a piercing can be subject
of risk involved in every activity. You could fear the
to immediate dismissal from work or school. This
dangers of piercings; you could also worry about
is clearly a violation of every Americans’ right to
the hazards of lightning or being eaten by wolves,
free speech; which is why I feel that body modifica-
all of which have happened but are highly implau-
tions, including piercings, should be viewed as a
sible. This information leads to the conclusion that
legitimate form of self expression and should not
an investment in a clean and reputable studio will
be a source of discrimination.
nearly guarantee a safe piercing experience.
The most common reasons for the disapproval of
Secondly, every American is guaranteed the first
body modifications (mods) are safety concerns,
amendment right to free speech, whether or not
appearance, and the commonly associated social
society agrees with the message they try to convey
deviance. However, those are also the most
(Liotard). Body piercings are used to express a
common misconceptions of body piercing. The
feeling or evoke an emotion. Ask Beth columnist
safety aspect, for example, is frequently over
explains the other possible reasons for a mod:
exaggerated. Piercings are most often related to infections. Sharon Upton, owner of a San Antonio
For some it’s for attention or to make a political
tattoo and body piercing studio confirms, “Most
statement. For others it’s like a sacred ritual. Many
infections are usually caused by the person being
are searching for meaning and trying to find some-
pierced, not by the piercer” (Cantalano). Wor-
thing that is true and worthwhile... it helps give you
ries over the transmission of disease have been
identity like a tribal initiation does. It represents
highly disregarded by professionals due to new
being older and being able to do what you want
with your body. Some do it for the thrill or to feel good about their body. And some do it because they are hurting. (“Meaning”) Tattoos, in moderation, and plastic surgery have been acceptable forms of body modification for decades. Piercings can be the same, an easy way to change your physical appearance. “People have cosmetically expressed themselves throughout history. Body adornment is a way to assert yourself” (“Meaning”). Also, with the changing of the times, body modifications have become an art form. The stiffening of this artistic expression would be a blatant violation of our right to free speech. Professor at Lawrence University, Judith Sarnecki, “Sees nothing alarming about what she calls the current ‘cultural turn about’, as long-standing myths and stereotypes of tattooed people are being shattered” (Cantalano). The shift of society towards conformist the styles of mainstream America brings about the need for people to resist the system to preserve our freedom of individuality. This philosophy is taught to every kindergartner in the form of: how much fun would the world be if everyone looked the same? Philippe Liotard explains, “... This avant-garde [piercing] is holding up the body as one of the last bastions where individual freedom can be expressed” (Liotard). Though it is highly individualized, piercings are also a current fashion trend. A small tattoo was once considered taboo. More recently an earring on a man would draw criticism and controversy. But just as those arguments have subdued so too will the debate over uncommon piercings. Currently, body piercings have drifted from the punk rock and homosexual scenes to pup culture. In fact, half of surveyed college students
15
say they have “non-traditional” piercings (O’Neil).
tance of other cultures and helps to teach tolerance
And many ‘upper-class’ people are accepting body
(Robinson). Philippe Liotard describes piercings
piercings in the form of navel or eyebrow rings,
as, “A way to educate people by preserving the
especially in economically prosperous countries
memory of extinct cultures and passing on their
including Great Britain and the U.S.
beauty” (Liotard).
There are numerous emotional benefits to body
This is why discrimination based on a body modi-
piercing, centralizing around a better self-image.
fication is not only morally wrong, but also illegal.
Studies also show an increase in modifications for
An American has the right to express their own
middle-aged America. “As baby boomers real-
cultural heritage, even if that heritage included
ize they are becoming their conservative parents,
modifications. The practicing of your religion is
body piercing helps them to recapture their youth-
greatly protected in the work place as well. The
ful days of radical rebellion during the late 60s and 70s” (Robinson). Often associated with Native American and tribal beliefs, piercings are regularly used in religious practices to strength one’s
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states, “Employers cannot... maintain a restrictive dress code” in regards to religious expression (“Equal”). “Whether or not the employer believes there is a
connection with a god (Liotard). Also practiced are
religious basis” for the employees piercing. Mean-
suspensions and scarification. These people feel
ing, the employer is not in a position to decide
that they gain something, perhaps insight, through
the initial purpose of the mod nor are they able to
the pain that comes from piercings.
discriminate based on it.
Nearly every form of piercing can be traced back
Many employers still chose eliminate prospective
to a cultural heritage. Nose rings, for example, are
and current workers based on piercings. “In a
one of the oldest forms of body modification. They
recent survey by Valut.com... more then half the
were first found in the Middle East 4,000 years
managers surveyed regarding body modifications
ago. It was, and still is, a sign of social standing
said they would be less likely to hire someone with
associated with the royalty (“All”). Most piercings
visible tattoos or body piercings” (Mallory). A se-
originated as symbols of wealth or courage. And
lect few innovative businesses have, however, be-
while less frequent in the United States, this is still
gun to see the change in times. Charisa Matheson,
practiced universally. An American’s willingness
of Habanero’s Human Resources Administration
to have a cultural modification shows the accep-
says their company believes in, “A culture of fun.
We are looking for people who like to express themselves” (Hudson). As a website developing company, Habanero encourages individualism mainly due to the artistic nature of their work. But more traditional companies such as Martz Inc. and the YMCA have also adopted a relaxed view on piercings because they believe that is the direction the future will take. The benefits to body piercings are endless. Whether the purpose of the piercing was for personal satisfaction and an adrenalin rush or if it was to show an appreciation and respect for other cultures, it still provides many advantages. Another sellable feature of piercings is their temporary nature. They can be removed at any time with little or no scaring. Leaving the client the opportunity to change their mind later in life. Employers and managers should adopt a more contemporary viewpoint on the matter and support the decisions of their workers. The Constitution demands that the freedom of speech shall not be infringed. And I believe that unless a modification is excessively vulgar or offensive that it should be permitted in the work field and should not be a factor in hiring. Works Cited All Body Piercing. 22 April 2002. All-Body Piercing. 22 April 2002. <http://www.all-body-piercing.com/2.html>. Cantalano, Julie. “When The Body Is the Canvas, Safety Counts.” APB News. 29 April 2002. <http://www.apbnews.com/safetycenter/campus/2000/03/17/tattoos0317_01>. “Equal Employment Opportunity Commission” 15 Jan 1997. 7 May 2002. <http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-relig.html>. Hudson, Repps. “Body Art in The Business World Tattoos, Piercings, and Wild Hair Colors Are More Accepted and in Some Cases Welcomed by Business Managers and HR Managers.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch 11 June 2001. 24 April 2002. <http://www.proquest.umi.com>. Liotard, Philippe. “The Body Jigsaw.” Unesco Courier July 2001. 20 April 2002. <http://www.web7.infotrac.galegroup.com>. Mallory, Maria. “Make Style Work: Got Tattoos or Body Piercings? Don’t Count on Getting the Job.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 24 June 2001. 24 April 2002. <http://ww.proquest.umi.com>. “The Meaning behind Tattoos and Hair Dye.” The Boston Globe. 5 April 2001. 1 May 2002. <http://www.proquest.umi.com>. O’Neil, John. “Piercing Popularity, beyond the Ears.” The New York Times 22 Jan 2002. Late Ed. 24 April 2002. <http://www.proquest.umi.com>. Robinson, Karen R. Homepage. University of Virginia/ English Department/Nameless Museum: Body Piercing. 22 April 2002. <http://www.engl.virginia.edu/~enwr1013/karen/kerr3p2.html>.
17
19
21
Week 8
Feb. 2-8
Week 9
Feb. 9-15
23
31%
of people say tattoos make them feel sexier
Workplace Tattoo Taboos Fading by Lynn Monty Hints of a tattoo peeked from beneath the sleeve
A youthful fashion
of a plaid button-down shirt – casual work attire
About 73 percent of people get their first tattoo be-
for Richard Bailey, 45. He’s been employed with
tween 18 and 22 years of age, and an estimated
the City of Burlington for 15 years, recently having
40 percent of Millennials have a tattoo, according
taken on the job of facilities & events coordinator.
to a Pew Research Center report. The Millennial Generation, also known as Genera-
Bailey has worked in diverse capacities, includ-
tion Y, follows Bailey’s Generation X.
ing with kids in an after-school program at a teen center. The bicep tattoos that extend on both sides
Gen X-ers were born from the early 1960s to the
to his chest have never been cause for concern in
early 1980s. Millennials were born from the early
his profession, he said.
1980s to the early 2000s.
As tattoos grow in popularity they are gaining ac-
Burlington is an open-minded place and culturally
ceptance in the workplace. But there are still some
progressive, Bailey said. In the past two decades
employers with rules against visible tattoos, and
there has been a huge cultural shift as far as ac-
professions that frown on the trend even though
cepting tattoos. Having them doesn’t necessarily
there are no explicit bans. The result: Some work-
impede career success, he’s found.
ers show off their tats and others never get them or have them removed to avoid anything that could
Twenty years ago Bailey worked in the social
ding a job search or career.
services sector. If he wore a tattoo-revealing, shortsleeved shirt back then, he admits people would
Bailey has lived with his ink for two decades, as
give him an odd look or two.
have many like him. Whatever the reason a person decides to get a tattoo, the art will remain embedded in the skin through life -- and job -- changes.
“There was more prejudice toward it back then,” Bailey said. “Now there is really none of that here in Vermont anymore. Today half the people in the
Will an image beloved at the age of 20 stand the test of time?
department have tattoos.”
45 million Americans have a tattoo
25
Bailey’s work with the city is based on interactions,
For example, journalist and former executive editor
not appearances, he said. “It has been organic,”
of The New York Times, Jill Abramson, has a New
he said. “Having tattoos and being an old punk
York Times-style “T” tattoo, among other visible
rock musician is part of that.”
body art. During a recent Out Magazine interview
The boss has a tattoo
on each bicep.
she wore a sleeveless ensemble and sported tats In a Careerbuilder.com survey, 31 percent of hu-
Tattoos and all, Abramson was the first female ex-
man resource managers said visible tattoos could
ecutive editor in the Times’ 160-year history, and in
have a negative impact on their decision whether
2012, she was ranked number five on the Forbes
to hire someone, but bad breath weighed even
list of most powerful women.
heavier in the survey. Employees with chewed fingernails and dark suntans were offered fewer
O’Grady said the issue of tattoos on the job is
promotions, the survey said.
an interesting example of how business traditions, new social norms, and legal issues collide in the
“For centuries most businesses have vigorously
modern workplace.
defended their traditional right to set and enforce dress and appearance standards for employees,”
In most cases employers can legally refuse to hire
said Joseph O’Grady, professor of business at Burl-
people with visible tattoos, O’Grady said. “Or they
ington’s Champlain College. “But, the 21st century
can require, as a condition of employment, that
has brought lots of changes in social norms.”
they be covered while at work.”
Which is exactly what Shan Reil, 44, does. He is an accounts receivable process specialist for Fletcher Allen Health Care who wears a suit and tie every day, which keeps the tattoos on his arms, back, and chest covered.
His tattoos have never been an issue in his career at the hospital, Reil said. Some companies more tat-tolerant than others Vermont enjoys a fairly relaxed business climate, O’Grady said. “I am not aware of any employers with
blanket policies banning visible tattoos,” he said. “Our business culture tends to be more accepting
Stephanie Shohet, 42, has full sleeve tattoos that cover her arms from wrist to neck. She is office
of differences than many other states. And our tra-
manager at North End Studios in Burlington, and a
ditionally low unemployment rate and competitive
popular fitness instructor there. She’s also worked
job market means employers try to avoid setting
part-time in the Burlington School district for a
unnecessary barriers for applicants.”
decade.
There are three underlying concerns employers
Most of Shohet’s tattoos carry meaning, from im-
have with hiring people with body art, O’Grady
ages of ivy and butterflies that remind her of her
said. They are:
teenage daughters, to musical notes of a “Fiddler on the Roof” song for her parents, to a commemo-
-- the belief that an employee will not be taken seri-
ration of running her first marathon.
ously by tradition-minded clients; Shohet began getting body art at 18 years of age. She has no regrets. “People know me,” she said. “I -- the concern that the organization’s brand or im-
am front and center here, and it’s not a problem
age might be compromised by outlandish tattoos;
for anyone.”
-- and the concern that one person’s body art could
Tattoo regret can be expensive
be perceived as offensive or hostile to a co-worker
While Shohet has no regrets, Di Moda Salon
or customer.
owner Ellie Trono, 44, has a few. She is in the process of having a sun tattoo removed. She likes
O’Grady’s advice is to “feel out” prospective employers’ preferences before applying – to visit the workplace and scout out the dress and appearance practices and look up some current employ-
the art, but is not happy with its placement on her back. “Half of it peeks out of my shirt,” she said. “My thought was that it would only be seen if I wanted it to. Wrong.”
ees on LinkedIn. Simple observations can indicate whether individual expression is encouraged in
Other tattoos Trono is thinking of having removed
that workplace or not, he said.
have been on her body for more than twenty years. “I’m over them, and I don’t want them anymore,” Trono said.
27
The cost of removal is much higher than having a tattoo inked. A $100 tattoo costs $1,000 to remove, Trono said. Trono often visits Don Baker, owner of Laser Tattoo Removal of Vermont in South Burlington. Baker sees a number of people who simply outgrow their body art. “We mature and change,” Baker said. The bulk of his business comes from professional women in their 30s and 40s. They might be role models in their communities now, for their children, and they don’t want their children getting tattoos. Or sometimes it’s just because the artwork isn’t that great, Baker said. Of the 45 million U.S. residents with tattoos in 2013, about 17 percent regret getting them, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Most people love their tattoos, Baker said. But some things that happen in Vegas come home to Vermont and have to be removed. Names of past loves, and ring tattoo removals are big in his business. Baker also sees a steady stream of medical students. “If your tattoo gets in the way of food, clothing, and shelter, it’s gone,” he said. “These folks just want to be taken seriously and appear more professional.” Young men and women who want to join the military are also part of Baker’s clientele.
Vermont National Guard State Public Affairs Officer Maj. Chris Gookin said tattoos are not allowed on the face, head, neck or hands, and sleeve tattoos on the arms or legs are not authorized in the Guard. Mary Alger, 46, of Fletcher has some advice for Millennials thinking of getting ink. “What seems like a great idea now might not be one later.” Alger has six tattoos and regrets many of them. She’s a production supervisor at a coffee company. “I don’t think they affect what I do, but if I wanted something more at the company, it might matter,” she said.
29
Tattoos No Longer A Kiss Of Death In The Workplace by Rachel Hennessey “Now you’re never going to get a job!” Almost ev-
According to Bank of America BAC
eryone in the 14% pool of tattooed Americans has
+0.84%Spokeswoman Ferris Morrison, the com-
heard something like this from a relative or friend.
pany has no restrictions when it comes to inked
But as the number of inked Americans grows, is
corporate employees. “We have no formal policy
the traditional assumption that tattoos and jobs
about tattoos because we value our differences
don’t mix really true in 2013?
and recognize that diversity and inclusion are good for our business and make our company
Workplace tattoo policies vary among and within
stronger,” she said.
industries. But with many contemporary companies stressing commitments to diversity and inclusion,
This attitude is not uncommon in contemporary
tattoos are becoming increasingly unproblematic
corporate environments. Having large, colorful and
across the board. Lax tattoo policies for blue-
highly visible lilac tattoos inked across her upper
collar and art-related jobs aren’t shocking, but
chest didn’t stop Courtney Pecola from landing a
the increasingly tolerant outlook of frontrunners in
job as vice president of Philadelphia’s ZB Sports, a
corporate, educational and medical industries are
sporting goods retailer, in 2004. “If I’d passed on
more surprising.
her because of her tattoos, I’d be out one phenomenal employee,” Pecola’s hirer commented.
As consulting firm CEO John Challenger explained, most employers today would agree that a person’s
Still, tattoo policies vary from one office to another,
appearance is nowhere near as important as his
the counter argument being that tattoos – like
or her professional skills. “Even in this tight job
unconventional hairdos or bold garments – can
market, most companies aren’t going to view tat-
distract coworkers and clients. “Depending on if
toos too harshly. Companies have a vested interest
they are visible or offensive in nature, tattoos can
in hiring the most qualified candidate.”
have an impact on professionalism,” Mark Brenner, senior vice president of external affairs at Apollo Group APOL -1.28% said.
Tattoo policies for positions in academia differ as
stringent. Most facilities require a certain level of
well, depending on the institution’s mission. Bruce
concealment during work hours because demon-
Potts, professor at The University of New Mexico,
strating the utmost external professionalism is key
sports a full tribal tattoo on his face. “I haven’t had
to gaining patients’ trust.
trouble getting a job because success is all about how one presents him or herself, and doesn’t solely
According to the UCLA Health System policy: “Any
depend on appearance,” he explained.
tattoo that may be considered offensive by patients or visitors must be covered by clothing, a band-aid
But UNM’s acceptance of Potts’ atypical appear-
or make-up.” The Cleveland Clinic has a similar
ance is not necessarily representative of all employ-
policy: “Tattoos must be covered during working
ers. Especially when it comes to younger children,
hours to ensure a consistent professional appear-
institutions and camps are more concerned with
ance while working.”
the message that a leader’s appearance may be sending. John Beitner, director of L.A.’s Tumble-
Mayo Clinic Spokesman Bryan Anderson stated,
weed Day Camp, felt pressure from parents to
“Mayo Clinic has long recognized the importance
employ more “appropriate looking role models”
of presenting a professional image to our patients.
after his camp saw a 15% increase in tattooed
Under our policy, employees are asked to cover
counselors over the past decade. Beitner decided
tattoos or other body art.”
to tackle the issue on a case-by-case basis, evaluating levels of offensiveness for individual
So, while workplace concealment policies differ,
tattoos. He commented that
having a tattoo in 2013 certainly doesn’t ruin
“a no-tattoo policy would mean losing excellent candidates.”
one’s chance at having a successful career. Still, a 2011 study by CareerBuilder shows that 31% of surveyed employers ranked “having a visible tattoo” as the top personal attribute that would dissuade them from promoting an employee. Although
In the medical field, having a tattoo does not
companies across many fields are increasingly
impede a person’s chance at landing a position,
focused on diversity and inclusion, tattoo flaunting
but rules about covering them tend to be more
is still probably best reserved for post-work hours.
31
You Better Have a Good Reason for That Tattoo by Alexandra Sifferlin
Researchers look at what leads to tattoo stigma and regret Tattoos aren’t taboo anymore, right? Common sense suggests we are in a post-stigma era when it comes to body ink, but recent behavioral research suggests we may not have reached total tattoo acceptance just yet. A study published in The Social Science Journal looked at tattoo behavior and bias. Some of the findings are pretty obvious: For instance, if you’re surrounded by friends or family members who have tattoos, you are more likely to think getting tattoos are no big deal. But researchers also found that the more tattoos a person had the more they felt on the receiving end of stigmatization. And the more stigmatized a tattooed person feels, the more likely they are to cover them up or have them removed.
Interesting research published in the same journal last August provides a bit more context into why people might regret tattoos. According to the findings, when someone gets a tattoo, they feel the need to imbue it with meaning, and can become quite distressed over their tattoo narratives if they feel insufficient. When people get a tattoo simply for the sake of wanting one, they are more likely to feel regret later. For example, one study subject told the researchers she got a tattoo of a lizard for the heck of it. The lizard had no meaning, and neither did her decision to get a tattoo. She regretted it because she had no significant meaning or purpose for it. Another participant got a tattoo of the date he overdosed on heroin as a reminder for himself. He eventually grew wary of other peoples’ questions about it. Not everyone needs a reason to get a tattoo, but behavioral research shows us that in general, people expect there to be a meaning or purpose for it—and that’s a meaning you can expect to be asked about by onlookers. Just a few things to keep in mind before you get inked.
33
You Call It Professionalism; I Call It Oppression in a Three-Piece Suit by Carmen Rios I’m a “young professional,” and professionalism is
Professionalism reinforces a lot of ugly “isms” and
one of my least favorite social constructs.
often intrudes in our lives silently and without any expectation of objection.
When we’re told that we need to look or act professionally, we rarely recognize that it’s code for “appear, as much as possible, as if you’re some-
For people like me, being asked to be more professional is sometimes a direct affront to who we are.
thing you’re not and never want to or could be.”
Looking the Part In office environments especially, standards of professionalism are the law of the land – and they
Landing my first office job required me to create
reinforce social hierarchies that value white male-
an entirely new wardrobe for myself full of “work
ness above all.
clothes,” a task I found completely bewildering.
As an office-dweller, I’ve become acutely aware
After all, what’s a “work outfit?” I’d completed tons
of how professionalism manifests in 9-to-5 environ-
of internships and jobs by the time I settled into
ments – and I’ve had plenty of experience with
a 9-to-5, and most of them simply required that I
how uncomfortable it makes me.
rolled out of bed on time to make my way in for the day.
People like me – queer people, women, people of color, working-class people – aren’t supposed to be comfortable when we’re being professional.
I was experienced, skilled, and efficient – and all I wanted to do was jump into the work. It was strange that the one thing I needed to do first was
Not to go all “anti-capitalist regime,” but profes-
go shopping.
sionalism is a tool of the elite to keep workforces “in their place” – and often, that place is defined in
After all, none of the work that I do is impacted by
opposition to communities of color, queer culture,
what I’m wearing, and the work I do should speak
and the actual working class.
much more loudly than how I look.
Plus, on top of these questions, I was left wonder-
I live in Washington, DC, and this city is a huge
ing how I was supposed to afford clothing coming
suit store. It’s assumed that you have a blazer
out of 14 months of relative underemployment,
hanging in your office at all times if you’re like
with little to no savings stashed away for pants
me and you don’t wear one to work, and the rest
and blouses from H&M. I’m lucky to work some-
of the masses trudge back and forth in rain, sleet,
where with a relaxed dress code, even if I still
and snow in impractical dress clothes and shoes.
have to wear slacks. It’s not that all of the lawyers, lobbyists, politicians, Unfortunately, employers typically require their
and nonprofit sector employees here need to wear
workers to follow a formal or semi-formal dress
this stuff to work – it’s that the power structures in
code in the office – and at the root, it’s mostly
place here demand us to wear this stuff to earn
about making appearances.
respect. I’m not into that.
Often, these dress codes make “professional”
One of the reasons I’ll put on that blazer in my
realms exclusive to people who can’t afford to look
office is to head to Capitol Hill. If I’m going to a
a certain way when they leave the house, and
meeting or an event in or around the halls of Con-
often
gress or the White House, it’s expected that I show
“those dress codes are meant to create a
up dressed to the nines.
visual hierarchy between ‘professional’ people and the rest of the world” This stirs up a lot of questions. Why can’t elected officials take me seriously in my actual clothes, being my actual self? Why do I have to dress a certain way just to interact with them? And it isn’t just the Hill. It’s a phenomena in offices everywhere. When the board of directors comes to town, you put on sleek skirt and pant suits. When CEOs comes to check out your department, you throw on your favorite dress. Our mentors tell us to “dress for the job you want, and not the job you have.”
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Week 10
Feb. 16-22
“when we want to look our best at work, sometimes we can’t look like ourselves “
The problem isn’t that we want to look good. It’s
ability. Employers might be critical of dreadlocks or
that when we want to look our best at work, some-
religious accessories or symbols, which puts those
times we can’t look like ourselves.
particular non-white workers in a disadvantaged position to move ahead in their professional lives.
Wearing suits instead of sundresses because I have to feels like being told that the who I really am –
Women of color, meanwhile, still face objections to
underneath the dress pants and pencil skirts – isn’t
their own natural hair in the workplace.
good enough to be there. It can also be burdensome to subscribe to a dress That’s hierarchy in action. That’s not okay. Every
code when it means subscribing to a gender bi-
single person in every single office should be taken
nary that doesn’t speak to your experiences.
seriously and treated with respect no matter what they’re wearing.
More femme identified men might have trouble striking a balance between what’s “professional”
It isn’t just the logic behind dress codes, however,
and what feels right, and androgynous or gen-
that makes them largely problematic.
derqueer folk might be forced to dress in a more binary, and consequently oppressive, way.
Dress codes make room to turn a lot of “isms” into policies – especially since typical standards of
Women face a unique conundrum – namely, that
professional dress are, at the core, racist, sexist,
they can’t be seen as “too feminine” or “too mas-
classist, and xenophobic.
culine,” and that different occasions will call for different apparel.
For workers who come from a non-Western back-
I remember being told once that I should wear
ground, for example, workplace dress codes can
pants, not a skirt, to the Hill – as if wearing a dress
invisibilize them. What folks see as professional
or skirt somehow undermined me as a worker in a
garb rarely encompasses non-Western dress.
historically male institution.
For Rastafarian or Muslim employees, dressing or
For some women, dressing in traditional male
appearing in line with your faith becomes a vulner-
garb helps them to gain power, but in some work-
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places, it works to their detriment because their
responsible for appearing as rich, white, and male
colleagues find it inappropriate.
as we can.
On the flip side, women might be received more
Acting the Part
warmly clothed in dresses and soft blouses, but will also be dismissed as flitty, unserious, and unintelligent.
Professionalism is a code that extends beyond how we look – it’s also about how we act. In fact, professionalism is what gives employers the op-
For workers without money, dressing “profession-
portunity to police our behavior in the workplace,
ally” can actually be an impossible request.
as well as to comment on it.
When workers at all levels are expected to dress
It’s what runs through our head when we’re
formally, the workers bringing in the least income
tempted to call someone out at a meeting. It’s what
must choose between saving up or dressing up –
stops us, sometimes, from being able to communi-
and often, the cost of going without the right shoes,
cate effectively and solve problems at work.
shirts, or dresses can cost them promotions and other opportunities in their career.
Often, the way professionalism dictates we should act at work also falls in line with stereotypes and
When you parse out professional standards of
predetermined roles based on our race, sex, gen-
appearance, it becomes easy to spot the kyriarchy
der, or class.
embedded in each expectation. That’s because professionalism is a vanguard of the old days,
Women, for example, are expected to be subservi-
when boys’ clubs ruled the world. (And right now,
ent and apologetic in the workplace, whereas men
they pretty much still do.)
are rewarded for being pushy, ambitious, and outspoken.
All of the standards of appearance being pushed on employees in office environments are, essential-
Professionalism also dictates that employees stay
ly, strongholds of white, male standards of power.
calm and cool during work hours and show little to no emotion – which, in a coded way, prioritizes
By being held responsible to look the way professionalism pressures us to look, we’re being held
the masculine over the feminine.
Not being able to express ourselves authentically is a societal expectation rooted in what we called “hegemonic masculinity” in my gender studies class – a deeply ingrained cultural expectation that men all look, behave, and act according to the highly policed model of what “being a man” is.
That model hurts all of us, even men, by forcing us to adhere to societal expectations that negatively impact our emotional and physical well-being. People of color might find that their language and behavior is heavily monitored and policed at work – and used against them. Often, this is because the way they act fails to fall in line with “respectability politics,” which demand that people of color go out of their way to assimilate into the dominant white culture. “Respecting authority” at work and the expectation that employees should be “all-in” to a culture that might be at odds with whom they are is also a part of this social code. When professionalism demands we are implicit in our workplace culture and hierarchy, it is a direct roadblock to social progress. Hierarchies are inherently unequal, and not being able to challenge power structures should never be key to moving ahead in life. But in a professional environment, challenging the power structure – be it through your
behaviors or your appearance – is unacceptable.
right. Going against the rules to do the right thing
In the professional world, causing a stir is sup-
and family obligations can be seen as incompe-
posed to be the last possible option – and talking
tence if your supervisor decides so.
for a co-worker struggling to balance their work
back to your superiors can be grounds for termination.
Even asking for help is seen as a sign of inferiority in some workplaces – which, again, is part of the
Challenging your transphobic boss can ruin or strain your relationship with them, even if you’re
patriarchal laws of power.
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For some folks, being part of a hierarchy – and
Leaving a job because you experienced racist or
subject, without room to object, to the whims of
sexist behavior on the regular might seem valid
their superiors – has become an inextricable part
to us as objective outsiders, but explaining to a
of going to work. This kind of struggle extends to
potential boss that you left your job because your
the relationships we build at work outside of those
white coworkers were insensitive to you could be
with our supervisors, though.
seen as a weakness or failure on your part. Not being able to push through it – no matter how
For LGBTQIA+ workers in office environments
terrible it is – becomes the workers’ fault, not the
that are homo- and/or transphobic, it might be
workplace’s fault.
understandably difficult for them to forge close relationships with their colleagues, and that might
When employers use professionalism to police
mean that they feel less comfortable suggesting
behavior, they take agency away from their work-
ideas or taking risks at work. For many of those
ers. And standards of professionalism leaves those
workers, giving up the social aspect of their jobs
workers without much recourse.
also means giving up a chance to get ahead or network out to another employer.
Although a lot of the concepts I explored here took place in theoretical office environments, it’s not just
Similarly, a person of color in an all-white work
those worlds in which standards of professionalism
environment might feel at odds with the people
are used to mainstream workers into a common
they work with. More likely, those workers will
ideal identity.
also witness acts of outright racism or be assailed with racist microaggressions by their superiors or
Workers of all walks of life have been asked to
colleagues on a regular basis. By calling people
change their clothes, their hair, their attitude, and
out on their racist behavior, they could risk every-
themselves to fit in, excel, succeed, or continue
thing; but by staying quiet, they’re doing harm to
at work – and for workers in less secure positions
themselves.
than those of 9-to-5’ers, the stakes are even higher.
A tenet to professionalism is supposed to be being
As a professional and a feminist, I do my best to
able to work with other people – even if those
create safe, comfortable, and productive spaces at
people say and do awful things.
work. I keep blazers in my office and heels in my bookcase, but I’m just as down to work in jeans as
I am to work in a skirt suit. (And I’ve managed a staff in rompers and crop tops many, many times.) What matters isn’t how we look or which slang we throw around, and office environments where people feel free to be themselves and express themselves are offices where employees are more engaged, happy, and successful. When we let people settle into their jobs as who they really are, they feel more connected to their colleagues and less resentful toward their employers. “Professionalism,” like all social constructs, is a total downer. And if it’s the work that really matters, we’ll let go of it.
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Initial concepting went through many different versions until the final brand was reached.
Concepting/Branding 43
I did an exploration of pairing typefaces together to show contrast and emphasize the INK portion of my brand. To the right is my initial idea for a logo, pairing a heart and brain that would resemble tattoo style but could still be easily recognized and scaled.
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Once I decided on my typefaces, I edited them, making them all the same angle. The colors come from American traditional tattoos which had a limited color palette.
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Final Logo Design
51
Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tank
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Youth Shirt
Tshirts 55
Button
moving toward acceptance
Posters 57
Stories were given to me anonymously and through volunteers.
Stories 59
Chris, wal-mart associate I grew up watching my uncle and cousin draw. Everyone around me had already had tattoos, and one day my cousin decided to start doing them himself. Until I was 18 all I could do was watch him but on my 18th birthday I got my first one and was hooked to the art forever. From that day on I spent a lot of time watching and getting tattoos until one day I decided to do them myself. The art has always been in my life and hopefully one day it will be considered as amazing as any other style of art.
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Devyn, paralegal I have 4 tattoos. My favorite is the band logo for My Chemical Romance that is a ring of 16 guns around my left elbow. It means so much to me because that’s my favorite band for 8 years.
Brittany, therapist I now have a total of 12 piercings. My first two were my earlobes at the age of 3 and I have since gone on to get more piercings in my ears, face, and body. I love all of my piercings and have always felt like it was a great way to express myself. They are a reminder that I can be a successful, professional woman while still being a creative and expressive person.
LC, engineer I have a tribal design around my zodiac (Taurus) sign on my upper right arm. This bright idea came to me when I was 18 years old and thought it would be cool to have a tribal tattoo on my body. At the time, I did it for attention. Plus, I was really into zodiac horoscopes and what not. Today, I would say this was a bad idea… Mainly because people AND my children don’t see the zodiac because the tribal design looks like a spider until I tell whoever asks that it is my zodiac with a tribal design around it. I am thinking about having it removed OR covered up with something more meaningful.
Debbie, office manager I have two; they are both feathers. One is feathers with my husband’s and sons’ names; the other is also feathers with my grandchildren’s names. Feathers represent my heritage.
Deena, student One is a spiritual/religious tattoo rarely seen unless I wear a backless shirt or dress. The other is quite personal and is often seen. It’s on my right triceps and is a gypsy girl’s head done in the American traditional style. Than for piercings I have size 6 plugs in my ears and nipple rings. Most people don’t notice my body modifications until I point them out or put them on display. I haven’t worn a bra in 2 years and it is very easy to see by the way my shirt lays that I have pierced nipples. No one has ever pointed it out. I have seen a few stares from time to time, but my breasts are also glorious. It would also be exceedingly rude to ask a person about their nipples.
Erica, digital marketing consultant I have quite a few but I can tell you about the most recent. In the last year I have acquired a half sleeve in memory of my great grandmother. About 5 years ago, during the last Christmas she was lucid, I had found a small red rock sitting in a bowl. Upon further inspection, I realized the rock looked like a rose. I toyed with the rock for quite a while before I asked her what it was. She told me my great grandpa had given it to her many years prior. She began telling this story about how they were visiting his tribe (he is native american) in Oklahoma and they had stumbled across many of these rocks. After sifting through them, he found the rock in my hand. He handed it to my great grandmother and stated “this is the most beautiful rock on this land and the most beautiful woman deserves it”. After listening to their story, she told me to keep it. I carried this rock around everywhere. During her funeral, I held onto my rock for dear life. in 2013, I had misplaced my rock. I remember driving home one day, suddenly overwhelmed with tears knowing my rock was gone and began apologizing to her for its absence. The rock turned up a few days later. The moment I found it I decided I wanted to get roses tattooed on my arm. I now have 3 beautiful roses and pearls down my arm to commemorate her. I was told that I should consider how people perceive tattoos in the workplace. Even if I dress equally as others in my office, if my tattoos are showing, I should consider how that changes my appearance. They never directly told me to cover them or that it was a bad thing to have them, they basically said I need to be conscious of them.
Dana, physical therapy assistant My cousin, that I was close to, passed away 2 years ago. The I love you sign from American sign language was used by her a lot while on the ventilator and when her immune system was at it’s lowest. It took me 34 years of my life to find something that I wanted to have put permanently on my body, so this decision was highly debated among my cousins and I. We got them to match
Bri, daycare teacher I have one tattoo that is specifically in memory
of my grandma passing. Just reminds me of how beautiful she was. I have had people give me
bad looks and tell me I’m a bad mother because I could have spent the money on my son.
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Monica, designer Well, for the most part I have piercing because I think they are beautify-ing adornments to the body, and I like shiny/sparkly things. I also like that they are not permanent, and that at any point in my life I can take them out and it will grow back. I have a totally of 10 piercings, 6 ear, 2 nose, and 2 nipple. My ears have been pierced since I was very young, but I only starting gauging them a few years ago. I did it because I found that most materials for plugs are hypo-allergenic. My ears are super sensitive, and most of the life I’ve had issues of them itching, scabbing and getting infected from the horrible cheap metal earrings are made of, but since I’ve moved to stone and glass plugs my ears have been a million times happier!
And my septum piercing is just because I thought it would look pretty. I wore a fake one occasionally and decided that it was time for the real deal. But I did make sure to get one that I could flip up and conceal since I don’t want it to be visibly for certain occasions. My parents aren’t hot about it so I wear it up around them when I’m home. Being able to conceal it comes in handy for job interviews too. I usually walk into a company with it concealed and once I’ve had my first impression I’ll flip it down if it feels like it would be accepted. I remember really wondering if it was going to be an issue for VML, an international advertising agency, but the second I walked in the door I saw the receptionist had blue hair, and I knew it wouldn’t be an issue, so I quickly flipped it down, had a great interview and landed the job!
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Bri, designer B loved. My first of three tattoos. I was eighteen and in need of a reminder to let people in and open up, to not always have a force field around my emotions; essentially be loved. Something punny. #2. Written in one of my good friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handwriting, this is a tattoo we share together. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just fun and quirky and shows off my need for a little cheese. I also have an anchor on my ankle. #3. And not shown here. This quarter sized tat keeps me grounded. I share this tattoo with another close friend who has her ink on the opposite foot. 67
Together they are a visual representation of who I am and remind me of awesome memories and experiences that have made me the person that I have grown to be.
Bill, cook Most of my tattoos are dragon oriented. I have 2 dragons for each of my sons and a mortal kombat tattoo because of my love of dragons. My newest tattoo Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been getting work on lately. It takes up my whole back, I am Italian and knew that I wanted a woman who was a dark haired beauty. The artist suggested the owl, which Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad I agreed with because it worked out perfectly.
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Sara, designer I have a tattoo of the outline of the world on my back. I got it because A) I wanted it & liked the way it looked. Plus it was pretty cheap. B) I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t been fortunate to travel around the world. I think it’s very important to experience other cultures and see beyond your horizon. I also have my septum pierced. I wanted a little more edge to my appearance, to reflect my personality and interests. It was sort my declaration of independence from what society says a girl should look like. I no longer wanted to be appear like the ideal feminine. So what better way than to put an “ugly” bull ring in your nose? To me it’s like my miniature shield from the male gaze. People of all backgrounds seem to like my tattoo (at least to my face). But it could be just that it isn’t in the most visible spot. Anyways, I’ve had a random older man come up to me and say that I ruined my beautiful face. I told him, “I’m sorry you feel that way” then he forcefully kept asking me why I would do that & that I would’ve been so pretty, blah blah blah. Little did he know, he had totally proved that my little shield was working. Bye bye rude old man, go stare at someone else’s nose. Pam, reporting manager
Dana, product manager
I have several. I have always loved Egyptian culture and
I was getting divorced and I wanted something to signify the new me.
have several of those. I love tigers and have a tiger tattoo
and my grandson loves geckos so I have a gecko tattoo. They
It was a symbol of me doing something for me on my own. I chose to get a Tiger Lily after my daughter who is named Lily.
all illustrate something I love in my life.
Jason, sr. associate I got mine to honor my family (script letter of our last name, with the names if my wife and daughters surrounding it). I simply wanted to show them how much try mean to me. Let them know they are motivating factors in my life. Mine is on my upper shoulder where it is rarely seen. I have contemplated a tattoo that can be seen in normal attire (suit and tie) but I don’t think my ‘style’ would dictate such a tattoo. But I would imagine it would raise eyebrows in my field. I am always designing new tattoos in my head. I’ve never quite figured out what or where to get my next tattoo. But I will probably get one or two more. At my age (43) it’s not about fashion it is more about the permanence and the ideas behind them.
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Jessi, copywriter I have two, both text-only, one on my wrist and the other on my forearm. My first tattoo, the one on my wrist, says “you’re home” in my parents’ handwriting, my dad’s for one word and my mother’s for the other. I got it a few years after moving out and struggling with feelings of trying to find where I belonged, to make a home for myself. The idea is that home is wherever you are, and you take it with you everywhere you go, knowing that you are loved. It can also turn being with me into “home” for others, whenever they read it. I thought that would be the only tattoo I would get (doesn’t everybody?) until I read the definition of a word in the dictionary and knew I needed it tattooed, too. The word is “propinquity,” which is the social/ psychological condition necessary for people to become friends or fall in love, and the definition is “nearness in place and time.” I loved that. My friend who is a tattoo artist and designer both lettered and inked it for me. I’m such a word person, and I love the look of handwriting, so I always knew i needed words on my body.
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Don, truck driver I drank too much one night and my friends and I all decided to get jailhouse tattoos, a needle dipped in india ink and poked several hundred times. Mine spelled out my wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name. When she became an exwife the new wife wanted it covered over with another tattoo. I chose a panther because it was dark and covered the old one well.
Brittany, designer I got my tattoo in Florence, Italy to commemorate my year there as a freshman in college. Every time I look at it it reminds me of how cool it was for my mom to take me to the appointment and get it for me as a graduation gift, help me move to and from the city, and travel throughout Italy with me. It reminds me of the best friend I made from Mexico that went with me to get it done. It reminds me of all the amazing people, food, history, design, art, and architecture that I got to experience while I was there. I grew up so much in just one year, and I love the person that I became because of it. My perspectives were broadened, and I learned a lot about myself. The fleur-de-lis represents the Florentine symbol; something that I not only saw all over Firenze, but growing up through most of my life. My mom lived in Verona as a kid, and as a decorator she uses that symbol in a lot of her work, and I love how it makes me think of her living in that villa, and doing what she loves. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had this tattoo now for almost three years, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see myself ever getting tired of it.
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Morgan, designer So I’ve got a medium sized ocean wave infinity on my ribs. As a child, we moved around a lot. I didn’t really have a place that I called ‘home’ until much later in life. My family is from California so for a long time the only constant place I had was when we went back to Cali to visit family. I’ve always been obsessed with the ocean, a love that my mom helped foster since she’s a marine biologist. For me the tattoo represents that idea of being home by going to the coast. It’s also a little bit about how I’m constantly amazed by the fact that the ocean connects everywhere and everyone. It’s like an infinite loop.
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Final reveal at the senior show
Senior Show 81
Along with my degree project, Brittany Hand and I, made temporary tattoos that were centered around our show brand for guests to interact and have fun with.
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At the show I had the website live, a large poster, tshirts and the temporary tattoos to show.
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