The Experience of Doubt
Imposter Syndrome but Trans
Overview
This was a project for my image class. We had to make custom billboards for a cause we believed in. I chose to talk about something I regularly experience. I often feel like I have to prove how trans I really am due to the fact at the moment I cannot physically transition. I feel guilty labeling myself when all I can do is tell people my pronouns, I can’t chest bind or take testosterone and it makes me feel like i’m not enough. Originally this had a more satyrical and brutal take, I was then told to tone it down and be strictly serious.
The Prompt
We were tasked with making a billboard and photoshopping our creation into an existing billboard spot. We were only allowed to use photoshop for the whole project so I had to use several different photos that I then put together to make this. we had to use 3 pictures at least when making this project.
Key Takeaways
My big takeaway from this was personal tase isn’t always the best. With this project I learned that despite what I may want, it’s what my client (in this case my professor) wants. I have to make it for another person’s standards and that was a big learning curve at first.
Would I do anything differently?
I could list a million things wrong with this project. The Big one that I see is the need to blend the trans flag and the hoodie together more. The shadows need more power behind them and the flag is too opaque to look like it’s the hoodie. I feel like I should have also made the bars of the flag curve with the hoodie.