Proposed response: Design a set of characters for a children's cartoon and corresponding merchandise that challenge gender 'norms'. Target audience: 6 to 10 year olds Specific Products: 4 x Character design sheets including names & a little background info Mugs, t-shirts, posters, lunchbox designs, key-rings, stickers Context: The characters would exist in a cartoon for children ages 6 to 10. Related products would be sold in super-markets and toy shops.
Aim: To create a set of characters that don’t reinforce the gender binary but instead communicate to children that there can be more than two genders. It’s also important to address gender stereotypes and demonstrate that not all girls are feminine and like wearing dresses nor do all boys like being rough and playing in dirt.
Examples of gender enforcement through character:
Colours such as pink or blue are often used to portray a character’s gender. This only reinforces the notion that pink is for girls and blue is for boys.
Examples of gender enforcement through character:
Where colours may not indicate the character’s gender, the personality, posture or outfit is often within the gender binary.
Exploring androgynous characters in sketchbook:
Inspiration
Jin Kim
Clement Lefevre
Inspiration
Fabien Mense
Guillaume Singelin