Tell us about yourself:
Hey there! I’m Sarah Forgey, a graphic designer, film lover, drag fanatic, and big fan of Keanu Reeves. I’m an Experiential Graphic Designer at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. At the Nelson, I do everything from print to digital, wayfinding and signage, and everything in between. It’s a gorgeous and inspiring place to work. I love throwing movie nights for my friends in my free time, trying new NYT recipes, and obsessively checking on my plants.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
My poster is very much inspired by the prompt I chose, “Collective Harmony”. I think that music is such a powerful tool to bring people together. The judgement, hate, and harshness of the world can melt away. I wanted to embody the feeling of two people getting lost in something together, and visualizing what music can feel like through bouncing, playful shapes. This is what a harmonious universe would look like to me.
Please tell us why you think inclusivity and solidarity are essential in our society…
Inclusivity and solidarity are key to a prosperous future of any kind. If we can’t see each other as equals, then we have achieved tremendous failure. Every person should be given equal opportunity to be the best they can possibly be. And those like myself that come from a place of privilege need to use that power for good and spend time and effort lifting up voices that otherwise might not be heard.
How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that everyone is represented?
I think inclusivity in design can be achieved through a number of different ways. Like choosing diversity in images that will be seen by a wide audience, to making sure that designs are ADA compliant and accessible to all. It also comes down to representing marginalized folks in every way, shape, and form whenever possible. Since designers play a huge role in what images and illustrations are depicted, I think that it’s our job to think of all people when creating any piece of design.
