Forging Identity

Interactive

Motion

Forging Identity is an immersive online experience centred around a series of looping video sequences which display the negative effects of code-switching. Composed together with symbolic imagery and a nostalgic-futurism aesthetic, Forging Identity is a research project focused on conveying negative experiences brought by code-switching to the audience through visual language.

The Problem

Brand Strategy

The Design Concept

Design Concept

In today’s rapidly growing global community, code switching is outdated, and even detrimental to the developing social identities of multilingual students. However at present, code-switching is still institutionalized as a tool for language learning and identity work in English dominant countries such as Canada. Thus, even within a multicultural country, students are pushed into conforming to a dominant culture by using a single style of speech. Instead of acts of their own, students exhibit established habits as a result of monolingual views translated through interactions between teachers and other students.

Design concept

In today’s rapidly growing global community, code switching is outdated, and even detrimental to the developing social identities of multilingual students. However at present, code-switching is still institutionalized as a tool for language learning and identity work in English dominant countries such as Canada. Thus, even within a multicultural country, students are pushed into conforming to a dominant culture by using a single style of speech. Instead of acts of their own, students exhibit established habits as a result of monolingual views translated through interactions between teachers and other students.

The Design Challenge

Developing work that discourages code-switching and raises awareness on monolingual views within education.

Concept

In today’s rapidly growing global community, code switching is outdated, and even detrimental to the developing social identities of multilingual students. However at present, code-switching is still institutionalized as a tool for language learning and identity work in English dominant countries such as Canada. Thus, even within a multicultural country, students are pushed into conforming to a dominant culture by using a single style of speech. Instead of acts of their own, students exhibit established habits as a result of monolingual views translated through interactions between teachers and other students.

The Process

Brand Guidelines

Research

By raising awareness, this project tries to bring discussions on the need for more representation in Canadian education through multilingualism. Forging Identity spreads knowledge about the struggles brought by negative effects of code switching through a series of looping visual narratives. Using a combination of nostalgic futurism and surreal symbolic imagery, the project attempts to display the many negative emotions students experience. Surreal imagery and symbolism are also used to encourage viewers to perceive each narrative visually and emotionally. Hosted online for easy accessibility, this project’s online platform imitates fine art galleries for efficient navigation.

The Solution

By raising awareness, this project tries to bring discussions on the need for more representation in Canadian education through multilingualism. Forging Identity spreads knowledge about the struggles brought by negative effects of code switching through a series of looping visual narratives. Using a combination of nostalgic futurism and surreal symbolic imagery, the project attempts to display the many negative emotions students experience. Surreal imagery and symbolism are also used to encourage viewers to perceive each narrative visually and emotionally. Hosted online for easy accessibility, this project’s online platform imitates fine art galleries for efficient navigation.