Lisa Winstanley Explores the Intersection of Culture and Gender

Celebrating the power of design to shape cultural appreciation and social impact, Lisa Winstanley Design (Singapore) brings forth two distinct yet equally compelling entries in Poster 2024. In “Harmony” (above, left), Winstanley encapsulates the essence of Korean typography and aesthetics. Meanwhile, the thought-provoking “Wo[MAN]” (above, right) project confronts societal double standards surrounding the human body. Immerse yourself in the inspiring narratives behind these projects and learn how Lisa Winstanley’s approach reaches to impact the creative landscape.

By: Lisa Winstanley

Cultural Harmony: The Fusion of Hangeul and Latin Alphabets

“‘Harmony’ is one of a series of two posters I created for the 2022 KIDC Winter Conference & International Invitational Exhibition at the DDP Dongdaemun Design Plaza, hosted by the Korea Institute of Cultural Product & Design.

“In my research to represent my perspective on Korean design, I discovered that Korean typography is known for its harmony and balance, which also reflects Korea’s cultural values and aesthetics. I reasoned that a typographic innovation using the Hangul language would best symbolize harmony for this theme. My approach while creating this concept was to be imaginative while remaining sensitive to Korean culture. I researched and considered the creative aspects typically aligned with Korean typography: the use of ample space, symmetry, choosing colors intentionally, and simplicity. 

“The ratio of positive to negative space was carefully considered to convey a sense of openness and clarity. Moreover, I experimented with both vertical and horizontal symmetry to enhance the text’s legibility and provide it with some visual breathing space. I also learned that in Korean culture, blue is associated with calmness and purity, providing a visually symbolic experience for the viewer. However, as a juxtaposition to this calmness, I selected a palette of bright, vibrant colors to reflect the vibrancy and richness of contemporary Korean design. Ultimately, Harmony is a multicultural exploration of typography between Hangeul and Latin alphabets. Two languages collided and were designed to show how each graphic system can be beautifully integrated, representing two cultures harmonized in design and typography.”

Breaking Boundaries: The Wo[MAN] Project

“‘Wo[MAN]’ is a work that explores the physical forms of women and men. It is intended as a visual protest that examines corporeal inequality from a feminist perspective. While the crux of my overarching design process is to eventually make positive changes in society through design, this one, in particular, sits near my left pocket. 

“The spark for the direction of this piece was at a relevant time when social media instituted content policies that censored parts of a woman’s body. I had diverse motivations when creating this piece. Apart from including different and relatable experiences, I navigated the process with an understanding of my own reality as a woman. The basis of this creation process was not to make an aesthetically pleasing piece but rather one that challenges your comfort and asks the viewer to question whether they are looking at a man’s or a woman’s body. 

“The human female form is often sexualized, while a man’s body is not subject to the same restrictions. It has undoubtedly created this double standard that reinforces the idea that women’s bodies are inherently sexual and must be covered up for the sake of modesty. Something noteworthy is that the perception of women’s bodies has real-world consequences. For that reason, Wo[MAN] would like to challenge and change cultural constructs to promote not only gender equality but freedom of expression for women by questioning: can you tell which of these belongs to a woman and a man?”

About Lisa Winstanley Design

Lisa Winstanley is an assistant professor at the School of Art Design & Media at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. As a visual communicator, Lisa’s work has won over 70 international awards, including two gold Graphis Awards, a Red Dot Design Award, four A’Design Awards, and a Platinum Spark Award. Her work has been internationally showcased at exhibition venues such as the Oculus in New York, the Moholy-Nagy University of Art & Design in Budapest, the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico, and the National Museum of Art in Bolivia.

Lisa’s academic research reviews the intersections between ethical and collaborative design practices and pedagogies through the lens of design for [positive] change. Creative integrity is at the core of her practice, which she explores by examining its multifaceted and nuanced dimensions, drawing on interdisciplinary collaboration, pedagogical approaches, and artistic exploration. In short, Lisa’s work investigates how we can leverage design pedagogies ethically and collaboratively for the benefit of our society.

To see other Poster 2024 entries, click here. Read more about designs from Lisa Winstanley here.