CASE STUDY Tattoo Design
Sandy Yang / Graphic Designer
On September 9th, 2019, I began exploring the idea of tattoos that took me through a design process. This project offered me freedom to design around a topic of my liking. At the beginning of the semester, I was given questionnaires to answer about my interests. This was to help ease the process of choosing a topic and after completing it was when I realized tattoos would be a great subject to explore. Tattoos retain their reputation as a subculture identifier, however the “stereotypical tattooed person” shouldn’t exist anymore as tattoos now are more common among people you’d least expect. We might see dips and rises in certain trends and changing preferences for tattoo designs, but the artform itself is here for the long haul. I’ve been interested in tattoos for a while now because it’s become a cultural phenomenon that entitles people to self expression. It’s changed the way people communicate to others and the way they express what’s important to them.
etc. I came to the problem statement “why do people get tattoos?” because I was interested to find out the stories behind people’s tattoos. This led me into the research phase.
First of all, I made a mind map on the topic of tattoos to capture the bigger ideas surrounding this subject such as stigmas, health concerns,
Documentation included extensive exploration on tattoo history, cultural influences, stigmas, profession, motivations, pain tolerance, etc. This research took place online and in the book Skin: A Natural History by Nina Jablonski. After some research, I started brainstorming on what the end product should be for this project, and ideas such as a book and an infographic poster came to mind. However, I wanted to design something different, maybe even personal, for this project so that it will stand out in my portfolio. I spoke to my 3 sisters about this project and came to the conclusion of designing a tattoo for us. I thought this idea was great because it’s different from my other projects and I would be able to use my design capabilities for something my sisters and I have been wanting to do for a long time. I concluded with the problem statement “why do people get family tattoos?” and I was able to find my answer while working through the
“Your body is a canvas to do what you please and I believe people who have tattoos have more character... they’re a walking billboard, advertising who they are.” -Tawon “My first tattoo was a family tree. I got it because I didn’t really know who I was back then and sometimes I still don’t, but I knew where I came from and it’s something to be proud of.” -Jason “In the Hmong culture, we care about how others view us and we don’t want to lose face in our community... others will judge not just you, but also your family.” -Mom
The research methods I chose were questionnaires, interviews and documentation. The questionnaires were made on google survey and were sent to my colleagues to answer about their tattoos. This part of the process gave me quick insight into their stories. After the questionnaires, I contacted and interviewed 2 tattoo artists in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. One artist, Tawon, worked at Mother’s Approval Tattooing and another, Jason, worked at Black Rabbit Tattooing. I recorded their interviews and took notes on the interesting comments they made. Wanting a different perspective, I also interviewed my mom and she gave me good insight into the Hmong culture’s views and her personal views on tattoos.
Tattoo mind map
Thumbnails and notes
Initial digital iterations
Refined digital iterations
middle stages of the design process. After the research phase, I wrote a design brief for this project that included a rationale, schedule, review tool, estimated budget and stakeholders (Appendix C). The review tool was an important aspect mentioned because it allowed me to set the expectations for the stakeholders and for myself. The stakeholders included my sisters, who were the main reviewers and collaborators, and a tattoo artist, who was the knowledge expert and reviewer. Her role was to look for the originality of the tattoo and help determine the budget and amount of time it will take to ink. I also stated my role in this design process which was to research, design and test the tattoo I created.
After their feedback, I made digital iterations for 4 designs we thought best suited our design expectations. I worked on these iterations for 1-2 weeks and had 2 meetings with my sisters. They gave me feedback and we were able to narrow it down to 2 designs. One design option was based on a Hmong hearts design so that it acknowledges our culture. Another option was a design that contained circles that will be filled in to indicate each sister. These designs were implicated in my thumbnails and were chosen because they had the strongest meanings to us.
Furthermore, I collaborated with my sisters to plan a schedule and lay out the design elements they wanted in the tattoo. We agreed the design should represent us and our culture with simple shapes and line work. Then, I created thumbnails and ran them by my sisters.
After weeks of feedback and improving the iterations, I was able to push the final design solution. My sisters and I chose this design because it has a deeper meaning to us. This is based on a Hmong design and shows 4 hearts, one for each of us. The line work is included for details, but it also connects the 4 hearts together in a cohesive manner. It’s the more simple approach and it fits the design expectations I put forward at the beginning.
I tested out the design by making temporary tattoos with a laser printer and body spray. I made sure to print out the design in different sizes and I placed these on different areas of myself to see where it looked best. Throughout this design process, one minor challenge I ran into was trying to get in contact with my sisters all at once. Skyping didn’t help so I made a group chat and posted twice a week with updates of my designs. They responded to most of my updates and I thought this worked well as they lived far away. Another challenge I ran into was designing an original tattoo. There are many sisters and siblings tattoos out there and so like a logo, it was hard to create something new. However, I was able to overcome this challenge once I met with my sisters and received the feedback I needed to further my iterations. I based my tattoo off of a Hmong design so this made it simpler for me to expand from it and adjust certain aspects of the design to my liking. Overall, I will validate this project by taking photos throughout the tattooing process. The next step is to wait for the tattoo artist we chose to open her shop and we will book an appointment for spring 2020.
Final design solution
Temporary tattoo
Appendix A: Sources www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224545.201 7.1373622? https://thoughtcatalog.com/january-nelson/2018/07/ why-do-people-get-tattoos/ www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/headgames/201809/are-people-tattoos-stigmatized. www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt1pn8zt.15. Jablonski, Nina G. Skin: A Natural History: University of California Press, 2006. Print. www.tattoodo.com/a/a-beginners-guide-popular-tattoo-styles-briefly-explained-6969. www.smithsonian mag.com/arts-culture/looking-atthe-worlds-tattoos-60545660/. www.pbs.org/skinstories/culture/index.html. thinkglobalschool.org/the-culture-of-tattoos-in-japan/. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5632599/. https://news.psu.edu/story/141345/2008/06/20/research/probing-question-what-history-tattooing https://www.longdom.org/open-access/why-we-tattoo-exploring-the-motivation-and-meaning-2332-0915-1000174.pdf
Appendix B: Time Sheet • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Initial questionnaires: 2 hours Mind maps / topic selection: 3 hours Research: - Questionnaires: 2 hour - Interviews / Photos: 3 hours - Documentation / Reading: 30 hours Presentation layout: 8 hours Presentation script: 5 hours Initial thumbnails: 8 hours Initial digital iterations: 8 hours Digital iterations: 12 hours Final design solution: 2 hours Temporary tattoo research / testing: 2 hours Tattoo shop research: 2 hours Total hours of meetings: 5 hours Design Brief: 2 hours Short Case Study: 3 hours Long Case Study: 10 hours
TOTAL TIME: 107 hours
Appendix C: Design Brief RATIONALE The objective is to research, design, and test an original tattoo for my 3 sisters and I. People wouldn’t think that something as simple as getting a tattoo would take you through a design process, but it does. Therefore, I thought getting a tattoo would be a more interesting art medium. I plan to get one anyways so I thought this process would allow me to think through it first. The next part of this design process is to create 3 original prototypes. SCHEDULE Oct.21: Initial meeting with sisters Nov. 6: Rough designs due Meeting with sisters Nov. 8: Temporary tattoos with printers Nov.13: Initial prototype due Contact Kayla about her shop and other tattoo shops in the area Nov.18: Set an appointment at tattoo shop Nov.25: Prototype due Meeting with sisters Dec. 9: Final iteration of design due Meeting with sisters REVIEW TOOL In the review process, I asked my sisters what they wanted in a tattoo (style, size, etc.). My sisters are the main reviewers and collaborators in this design process. They will be looking at the details of the design and give me their inputs when we have meetings. It doesn’t matter to them if it has a deep meaning, as long as we have matching tattoos that connect us. They expect me to choose the placement of the tattoo and to do more prototyping. The prototypes will also be reviewed by a graphic designer / tattoo artist. She will look for its originality and determine the budget / amount of time it will take to ink.
STAKEHOLDERS Mai Kou Yang Sister / Architect Collaborator / Reviewer yang_maikou@gmail.com (715)409-6309 Kia Yang Sister / Social Worker Collaborator / Reviewer kyang@hotmail.com (414)897-6511 Houa Yang Sister / Business Owner Collaborator / Reviewer Hyanglor@hotmail.com (715)551-0928 Kayla Hang Graphic Designer / Tattoo Artist Reviewer / Knowledge expert k.inxbooking@gmail.com ESTIMATED BUDGET Average $60/hr or 2 small tattoos for $60 (depending on tattoo shop)
Appendix D: Interview Transcripts Interview Questions
Jason
1. Information about yourself 2. What are some job skills you need to be a tattoo artist? 3. What do tattoos mean to you? 4. Why did you get into this business? 5. Why do people get tattoos? 6. Do the stereotypes of people with tattoos still apply today? 7. Why are tattoos trendy today? 8. What does self expression mean to you? 9. Should people be more self expressive with their bodies? 10. Why do people get family tattoos over something more individualized? 11. Were your parents accepting of your first tattoo? 12. Do you think people with tattoos are more confident in themselves?
Tell me a little bit about yourself. “My name is Jason Blemington. I’m a tattoo artist and I do custom tattoo work”. What are some job skills you need to be a tattoo artist? “You don’t really need a degree or anything, however, you must have high devotion to art. You definitely need to take it seriously and learn how to draw. A portfolio will be needed”. What do tattoos mean to you? “It’s a special way of expressing yourself”. Do the stereotypes of people with tattoos still apply today? “I think the stigma is there, but it’s not as bad anymore. We’ve given it enough time to show that there is a professional side and career to it. We’re not just a bunch of grungy rock star wannabes. The stereotypes are changing because more people are getting into tattoos so of course you’re gonna have to be open to them”. Why do people get tattoos? “It makes you look like a badass, to be honest. And I think it’s frankly because of social media and people on TV. They make it look like it’s ok and fun to have, however, it’s not for everyone”. Why do people get family tattoos over something more individualized? “My first tattoo was a family tree. I got it because I didn’t really know who I was back then and sometimes I still don’t, but I knew where I came from and it’s something to be proud of. It’s somewhere to start”.
Tawon Tell me a little bit about yourself. “My name is Tawon Simpson and I’m a local artist at Mother’s Approval Tattooing in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. I came to Stevens Point straight out of highschool but I didn’t really like the program that I was in. It was ok, but I came from a specialty arts program in Milwaukee so I felt over prepared. I didn’t want to give up on my ability and skills in the arts, so I started looking for apprenticeships in Point. That’s when I came across Mother’s Approval and I’ve been here for 10 years”. What are some job skills you need to be a tattoo artist? “You definitely need to be good at drawing. It’s hard to distinguish good artists in this era of softwares. You can possibly be an artist without having the talent or skills to draw, but it’s something great to have especially when a client comes in and wants something original versus something digital”. What do tattoos mean to you? “Tattoos to me are an expression of who you are. It can be a tribute to whomever and I think it’s a great way to show someone what you’ve been through in your life. You should be able to do what you want with your body. I believe people with tattoos have more character and it’s a great ice breaker too”. Do the stereotypes of people with tattoos still apply today? “Yes, it’s a big thing when it comes to tattoos in corporate America. It’s become better nowadays, but there are some fields where you do have that chance of being rejected. This would apply more to doctors or lawyers, but I think some people are more accepting in 2019. It’s great progress”.
Why do people get tattoos? “I think it can be a steady reminder of how they were feeling back then. I think that’s a big reason why people get tattoos versus something else”. What does self-expression mean to you? “Enlightening someone of who you are without verbally telling them”. Why do people get family tattoos over something more individualized? “First of all, I have many family tattoos. I’m actually getting another one fairly soon on my arm. I think family is the one thing in the world that’s important to everyone. They’re always there for you and you can’t get rid of family. It’s a safe bet for a tattoo over a wife or a boyfriend tattoo. I always tell my customers to get something they can’t get rid of”. Were your parents accepting of your first tattoo? “My parents weren’t so happy at first, but now that I’ve turned this into my profession, they don’t care anymore. My aunt especially was very cool and supportive of me. She’s interested in all the tattoos I’ve collected over the years. Plus, my tattoos are tasteful so it doesn’t really offend anyone”.
Appendix E: Questionaires / Google Survey
Sandy Yang / Graphic Designer