OPPORTUNITY
I had the privilege to design “Don’t Stop Me Now: How to Resist Drag Bans and Create Total Gender Liberation”, a 45-page chapbook written by Christa Orth. The book, an excerpt from their forthcoming memoir, reflects on their experiences as a drag performer while addressing contemporary issues like drag bans and trans panic. This project was an opportunity to combine meaningful storytelling with unique design elements to create a visually compelling, impactful book.
CHALLENGE
The challenge was to craft a design that captured the emotional depth and vibrant energy of Christa’s story while incorporating personal and unconventional elements. The process needed to balance storytelling, typography, and imagery, including photos I had personally taken at performances. Additionally, the book required funding, which meant ensuring the final product would meet the expectations of backers who had supported the successful Kickstarter campaign
SOLUTIONS
To address these challenges, I focused on creating a deeply personal and striking visual experience:
Custom Design Elements: I hand-lettered all the titles and pull quotes, adding a raw, human touch to the text.
​
Visual Impact: I created a glitter pattern for the endpapers by manually scanning glitter—a tactile and vibrant nod to drag culture and its unapologetic flamboyance.
RESULTS
The chapbook premiered to an enthusiastic audience at Printed Matter's New York Art Book Fair and is now being distributed by Microcosm Publishing. The Kickstarter campaign was a resounding success, raising over double its funding goal. Beyond the numbers, the project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community, as well as the importance of amplifying marginalized voices through thoughtful, intentional design.
Photographic Contributions: Many of the photos, including the cover, were taken by me during performances, tying the design directly to the book’s narrative.
​
High-Quality Production: The chapbook was printed by Lucky Risograph in Brooklyn, ensuring the final product had a unique texture and visual appeal.
