'Identity' is addressing the issues of diversity and inclusion. It shows two different opposing ideas coexisting in an object. It is raising awareness and creating discussion on Diversity and Inclusion issues. As we grow up, we are given labels based on our gender, race, nationality, social class, etc. These labels are defined by society by saying what is expected of them. Society feeds the perspective of who we ‘can’ or ‘can't’ be based on stereotypes that have nothing with our true identity. This is the main reason for having less diversity and inclusion in our societies. Nowadays, more people have realized the importance of diversity and having different perspectives to solve our social issues. And as a society, we are heading towards creating equal opportunities for more diversity and inclusion. However, if the majority of people follow what is expected of them based on their labels, how can we experience diversity? How can we include different perspectives in our decision makings? Stereotypes are hurting our society and they need to be challenged. If we look at the society we live in, the number of people who take charge of their lives regardless of their labels is less than those who follow the norm.
At this step, it is all about raising awareness of this issue. Our identity should not be defined by the outer world but by our choices and who we truly are inside. Many successful people have achieved amazing results and created impacts in the world regardless of their labels. This is proof of the power of the mindset and the fact that our perspective shapes our reality. The design ‘Identity’ inspires people to change their perspective to a can-mindset if they do not like society’s definition of them. ‘Identity’ is about encouraging to unlearn unconscious limiting beliefs. Empowering individuals is as important as creating equal opportunities in society. Research findings suggest that minorities experience the feeling that they are not good enough more than others by society's constant subliminal messages. This creates a fear in them about taking initiatives to break the stereotypes. And because our mind works to keep us safe, we stay in familiar territory. This reinforces the stereotypes and creates a vicious cycle of proving them to become more real.
The intention of “Identity” is to raise awareness of the fact that our perception and perspective in life, creates our reality. If we choose to see from a “can’t” perspective, we will find all the reasons to justify why we cannot. We will be the victim of the situation and create that reality. Our brain sees through a limiting lens and filters and interprets information based on that perspective. However, if we change our perspective to a “can” mindset, we expand our comfort zone. We try to create some version of that reality by persistent action. ‘Identity’ is created to tell a story of inspiring people and encourage choosing an empowering perspective. It is about changing the perspective of the mainstream on stereotypes. The objective is to create an empowering environment in our internal spaces to remind us every day to feel inspired and create a better future. It is the tool for breaking that limiting thought cycle every day. It also raises the conversation to challenge the stereotypes instead of accepting them blindly. A key part of addressing issues of diversity and inclusion is inspiring people to have an empowering perspective to prove them wrong and that is the intention with the design 'Identity'.
