Images that speak: how diversity and inclusivity are essential in illustration
In kindergarten, I had a classmate named Simon. He had black skin, and we were good friends. Born on the same day, we blew out the candles on the same birthday cake together in our classroom. At that age, it seemed perfectly obvious to me that we were equal. As I grew up, I gradually became aware of the differences in treatment within society based on skin color. I realized how far we were from being considered equal. The feeling of injustice and the desire for an egalitarian world stemmed from this long process of awareness.
That is why, both professionally and personally, I find it essential to represent diversity and inclusivity in my images. I firmly believe that every person has the right to be represented in society, without being reduced to stereotypes or excluded because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
“Representation matters because it allows us to grow up with the idea that we exist and that our skin color, sexual orientation, social background, religion, and gender are not obstacles to creating our own imagination.” – Jennifer Padjemi in Féminismes et pop culture, Ed. Stock, 2021, p.50. Find out more on her website https://jenniferpadjemi.com/livres –
Ultimately, paying attention to how I represent my characters means paying attention to the world around me.
When I create a character, I try to represent them in an authentic and realistic way, avoiding clichés that can be harmful. On the contrary, I try to highlight the beauty of diversity as a force for inclusivity.
For this reason, I depict my characters in motion, active and engaged in their environment.
In the visual arts, I believe we have a responsibility to society to represent diversity and inclusivity in a positive and fair way. By creating inclusive images and narratives, we promote acceptance and understanding between different communities and cultures. By promoting access to the image industry for all underrepresented people, it’s a safe bet that the representation of our societies will become even more interesting!
On that note, have you heard of Panimation?
Panimation has listed more than 4,000 women, trans, and non-binary individuals from around the world working in various fields and specializations within animation and motion design right HERE.
Do you know of any other collectives that are helping to promote diversity and inclusivity in the image and communication professions? Share them with me!
A word for agencies, large groups, and their communication departments: DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Best Practices. Thank you to the Association of Communication Consultancy Agencies (AACC)!