The Problem

Despite growing media representations of the LGBTQ+ community, the vast majority of queer representation stems from urbanized populations. Those living in rural areas or countries with a smaller LGBTQ+ presence may have a hard time finding a queer community in their local sphere and feel comparatively isolated as a result. We need a safe platform for people to connect with other queer people in their area no matter where in the world they live in.

my role + tools

User Interface Design

Ideation

Logo/Branding Design

year

2022

built with

CSS3

Firebase

HTML5

Javascript

React

This project was created with two other team members for QWER Hacks and received 1st place in the Art & Expression category. Check out more about how we set up the system here.

watch a demo!

Our Solution: art lav

With full anonymity, art lav provides artists a platform to connect with other artists within a 20 mile radius. Any form of artistic self expression, including queer art and art made by queer artists, is highly encouraged! art lav will help you find and connect with your local LGBTQ+ community through art.

featured art from @chosuh on Instagram

ideation process

Issues the LGBTQIA+ community faces with expression

  • it is often difficult to openly share art without facing negative online feedback

  • much of the queer representation appears to come from urbanized populations

Our Solution

  • simplifying online interaction to “likes” with full user anonymity

  • allowing media to be shown/shared from a 20 mile radius to help users see more queer representation within their own local sphere

Conceptualization

Color Palette Change

  • later on the color palette was changed to allow for more visual contrast between elements to allow for better visual accessibility

Color Palette

  • in history the color lavender has had ties with homosexuality

  • once a color of pain for the community it later began to represent protest and empowerment

    Branding

  • the rhino was once used as a symbol for the community because it was often misaligned and misunderstood as a violent creature

  • by incorporating both the lavender color and rhino we hoped to symbolize what this platform would bring to the community: empowerment and true expression

Features

  • user signup, login, signout, and forgot password functionality

  • allow user to select and change their location coordinates through an interactive map

  • filter user feed to show posts from a 20 mile radius

  • allow user to post their own art

  • allow user to access the art they posted in their profile page

  • allow user to like posts in their feed

  • order local posts based on number of total likes (top liked posts appear on the top of the feed)