Graphic Design Students commit themselves to “Writing Wrongs” for the LGBTQ+ Community
By Wynter Aiken | Published by March 18, 2020
To right a wrong is to take a stand and graphic design students Senior Claudia Argueta and Junior Gisell Padilla have done just that by participating in the Writing Wrongs intense three-day weekend program where a total of fifteen students from multiple universities and colleges were given the opportunity to attend the program. It produced the novel Outgrowing, focusing on the injustices and misconceptions that the LGBTQ+ community faces daily in today’s society.
Outgrowing has various stories and interviews such as An Identity in Flux, A Community in Support, Navigating Your True Self, and A Girl Who Loves a Girl Like Me. These interviews tell members of the community personal journeys through a divided society and help spread a deeper message that can transform the way society views the community because one cannot make a change unless the message is shared.
The Writing Wrongs program was a great way for graphic design students to “get their feet wet” in terms of working on various artistic projects and this year’s mission was to create the novel Outgrowing- a series of interviews and stories based on members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The program was the first time Padilla participated as an activist against social injustice.
“With many movements going on recently throughout the years, I was very inspired to take part in this program to be able to help send a message,” Padilla said. “Especially now since the youth are being heard and they are beginning to step up in activism to lead and influence the world.”
“Gisell Padilla, junior and graphic design: interactive advertising major.”
Photo courtesy of Gisell Padilla
Before the program began, Professor Joseph Schwartz of the Architecture and Graphic Design department had told both ladies that the program was seeking graphic design students and Schwartz knew they were right for the opportunity.
“One of the professors here at Kean University had told us about the opportunity with Writing Wrongs. He had emailed us a flier stating that they were looking for graphic designers,” Padilla said. “Claudia and I had looked into the program and it was something we were both interested in participating in!”
To participate in the program, it was a mandatory process of submitting an application and an essay as to why one wanted to be a part of the group and were interested in helping the LGBTQ+ community while also showcasing samples of previous graphic design work. The program also chooses different topics and book titles each year. Before officially starting the program, Argueta and Padilla each had to read stories on the LGBTQ+ community, know their stories and research what they go through daily.
“It was a 72-hour workshop where we had to work with different groups to help design the Writing Wrongs book. We worked with writers, photographers, as well as social media managers. We went to an LGBT Reading Center where we got to hear Michelle Dech, head of the Reading Center, talk about her experience in the LGBTQ+ community,” Padilla said. “We also got to hear Danelle Bower, who is an associate professor at Reading Area Community College. The rest of the day consisted of interviews between the volunteer interviewees and the writers.”
Argueta and Padilla both took part in the creative process–Padilla designed the layout of the cover with the illustrator, formatted articles and the glossary and Argueta designed the timeline of interviews and events, formatted, redesigned the table of contents and designed the introduction for the novel.
“My creative process starts with writing/drawing down all my thoughts and ideas. I expand on as many ideas as I can and continue to develop all the ideas. Once I start going into detail about the ideas I start to figure out which ones stand out to be more and work on those more,” Padilla said.
“With my experience at Writing Wrongs, I have continued my passion for designing for social good. I have learned to be able to communicate better when working in teams and managing time more wisely. I would say that one piece of advice to give to future designers is to get out there and explore,” Argueta continued. “With experience, you will learn what are your passions, what you like and don’t like and along with other things.”
“Claudia Argueta, senior and graphic design: interactive, screen and print major.” Photo courtesy of Claudia Argueta
The creation of Outgrowing was long and effective, bringing those interviewed, Mark Stanziola, attorney at law, and Christopher Paolini, who did Drag Queen Story Hour with the group, stories to life, giving an insight into the LGBTQ+ community. Because of this program, both ladies have expanded on their graphic design skills during this program and have put it to use in other areas such as social activism.
“Apart from participating in Writing Wrongs, I have also been part of the pride parade in NYC. Every opportunity I get I try my best to be apart from these events whether small or big,” Argueta said. “I believe that Writing Wrongs chose to focus on the LGBTQ+ community because after the 2016 election many of the LGBTQ+ were affected by the decisions that were being made and writing wrongs felt that it was appropriate to speak about these stories.”
If you wish to know more about Claudia Argueta’s graphic design work and read Outgrowing, visit the links: http://claudiaargueta.com/ and https://www.amazon.com/Outgrowing-Community-Writing-Wrongs-Staff/
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