Gray Violago
Tattoo! Not Taboo
Process Book
Abstract: Tattoo! Not Taboo is a 6 x 9-inch, 94-page, perfect-bound book that showcases a brief history of the methods and styles of tattooing, explores the current stigma surrounding people with tattoos in the workplace, and features my own tattoo designs which are meant to destigmatize tattoo art in the mainstream culture. My project is intended for adults who come from cultures that see tattoos in a negative light (Japan, Korea, China, etc.), and those who work in professional careers that ban tattoos, such as healthcare, government, finances, administration, etc. The project is promoted through six 24 x 30-inch posters, twenty 2 x 7-inch double-sided bookmarks, ten different designs of temporary tattoos (four copies each for a total of forty temporary tattoos), and a 72 x 16-inch banner with the title of the project, using my graffiti-style font.
Tattoo Book
Tattoo! Not Taboo is a 6 x 9-inch, 94-page, perfect-bound book that aims to educate readers about the history, origins, and different styles of tattoos in an attempt to eliminate the negative stigma surrounding the world of tattoo art.
Project Elements
The first section of the book discusses the history and origins of tattoos, including the first-ever tattooed man, different tattoo practices and procedures, and a timeline on how tattoos have evolved throughout the ages.
The historical section discusses different cultures that first practiced tattooing, along with how the stigma on tattoos has affected those cultures, and how the tradition of tattooing was important to them.
The book’s second section discusses six different tattoo styles: abstract, geometric, realistic, tribal, new school, and minimalist.
The main goal of Tattoo! Not Taboo is to destigmatize tattoo art, which the book and overall project aims to accomplish by showing examples of culturally acceptable tattoo illustrations.
Illustrations
The project features a number of original designs meant to destigmatize tattoo art. The images are also found within the final section of the book.
Temporary Tattoos
Temporary tattoos are a great way to test-run a tattoo design you might be considering. This process is done by transforming an illustration of your choice into a print using special, non-permanent tattoo paper. The illustrations wash off easily with water and soap, so there’s no pressure in getting one, if you wish to try.
Posters
The project features six 24 x 30-inch posters, each meant to work as a complete set and by themselves. Each poster shows a specific tattoo style, on a specific body location, with a corresponding headline and a short description of the tattoo style.
Bookmarks
The project features a total of twenty 2 x 7-inch bookmarks featuring six different designs. Each bookmark showcases one of the six different styles chosen for the project. On the back of each bookmark is a bit of information about the corresponding tattoo style.