Created as my dissertation for the Medical Art MSc program at the University of Dundee, this projects focuses on guiding people through the steps of medically transitioning their gender using a choose your own adventure structure. Many people have expressed feeling a lack of control over their own journey, and this structure aimed to rectify that.
To view the resource, go to:
http://philome.la/Ilictest1/
twsofficial/play
(Make sure your browser is scaled appropriately, you may have to zoom out to see the continue button).
Not only does the program guide users through the reality of their surgical options, but it also shows the user the steps they must take with NHS to get approved for things like hormone replacement therapy and affirmative procedures.
After an anonymous questionnaire answered by people in the Trans community, showing examples of historically non normative people was important. this underlines the legitimacy of the identity and refutes the point that this is a modern idea. Additionally, this shows the user that trans-masculine features are depicted in blue, trans-feminine in magenta, and non-binary in olive.
Real models were used for the figure paintings that accompany a list of results for Hormone Therapy. Transitioning can be stressful and confusing, but very validating, using realistic examples instead of idealised forms can make it less intimating for the user.
A reoccurring sentiment expressed by questionnaire users is a discomfort when viewing surgical photographs. In order to minimise any stress or discomfort, soft vivid watercolour paintings were used to depict the forms.
Using a monochromatic palette requires the work to be clean and legible, especially when the user is unlikely to be familiar with complex surgical procedures. This was not designed as a surgical manual, but a guide for regular people looking to get their information in one source.
Transitioning, and the time leading to it can cause a person a lot of strain, which is ofter exacerbated by endlessly combing through the internet for relevant and up to date information, this project hopes to alleviate some of that stress by compiling all the information in an attractive, self contained, and non judgmental formate.