INKED WITH PRIDE – Designing temporary tattoos for long-lasting rights

INKED WITH PRIDE is a personal exploration of the intersection of tattoos and women’s bodily autonomy. Focused on social design, I created temporary tattoos intending to empower individuals while also addressing the impact of social norms and the patriarchy.

Why temporary tattoos? 

I remember how every corner store in my neighbourhood used to stock gum pieces I’d buy solely to cover my body with their temporary tattoos. This memory seems to resonate with most generations, which make temporary tattoos a time-travelling tool for nostalgic memories from childhood.

Thanks to technological advancements, there are now realistic and vibrant temporary tattoos that offer longer-lasting results, offering many a way to express themselves without committing to a permanent tattoo.

“I want freedom, the right to self-expression, everybody’s right to beautiful, radiant things.” ~ Emma Goldman

Self-expression has always been a powerful social tool for defining our identity and connecting with others. Throughout history, diverse cultures have brought numerous ways to express their identity, ranging from certain clothing styles to body art.

Despite all, society’s rapid growth has led to opposition, which pressured people into conforming to strict societal expectations, up to this day.

In a world dominated by norms, tattoos stand as a powerful form of self-expression, asserting women’s ability to reclaim their autonomy and define it on their own terms, while also challenging society’s expectation of confirming to a predefined box.

I facilitated conversations through questionnaires and an interactive co-designing lab, focusing on the intersection of tattoos and feminism, highlighting how body art can be a powerful tool for women to reclaim ownership over their bodies and criticise traditional values. Along, I created multiple symbolic tattoo designs that could serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight for women’s rights and autonomy over their own bodies.

During the co-designing lab, I displayed some prototypes as a means to collect feedback and create a sense of community involvement and creativity. I encouraged the participants to try on my designs to get more genuine feedback and better visualise the potential final product.

With the gathered feedback, I was able to refine and improve my designs for a best possible outcome. I was truly happy with the amount of engagement I got throughout this project, which made me realise the relevancy of my chosen topic.

To conclude the project, I transformed my designs into a tangible product. I conducted a last try-out session with the help of some previous co-design lab participants, who willingly volunteered to test them out. Seeing my illustrations come to life on actual skin was a rewarding experience, strengthening my will to take this project further into the world.

As I move forward with this project, it is crucial to understand that the fight for women’s right to have control over their bodies is far from over. A better future includes a society that accepts freedom of choice and self-expression.