Communication Design School of Design
Tania Rodrigues
My practice involves subverting and decolonising traditional design utilising a blend of digital and physical making. I am committed to social causes, representation, and amplifying marginalised voices, through narrative, film, and publications. My interests are driven by my identity as a Kenyan-born Goan, addressing the post-colonial repercussions of 500 years under Portuguese rule. My practice also involves silly yet unconventional ideas, such as being one half of Rat Press Inc, an annual rodent themed zine for rodents. This encapsulates my practice of giving voice to inanimate objects to convey their narratives.
My latest project represents a culmination of my growth and understanding of what drives and matters most in my creative practice.
Reframing Goan Identity
This project aims to reframe Goan identity by dismantling the visual language left by the Portuguese colonisers, through the reinterpretation of azulejo, the blue and white tiles prevalent in Goa, India, my home. It addresses the enduring impact of 500 years of colonial rule on Goan identity, which has left Goans longing for a past rule that no longer serves them post-1961 liberation. Through the creation of a modular ornament system inspired by azulejos found in the Institute Menezes Braganza, a custom typeface, and a documentary, this project culminates in an installation featuring a physically dismantled frame allowing Goans to reframe their identity. It applies Homi K. Bhabha’s post-colonial theory of mimicry and ambivalence to the Portuguese visual language, empowering Goans to write back.
Project Links
MOZAIC
MOZAIC is a collaborative visual-based zine that aims to celebrate and uplift BIPOC creativity. This is our first release of 2024 and in an attempt to ensure a collaborative community of BIPOC creatives exists within the walls of GSA, we wanted to give these people a platform. Our first issue is themed around our title and the concept of a mosaic: small fragments that when put together form a larger whole. By bringing BIPOC works together we’ve created our own visual mosaic and we are so grateful to our contributors for being a part of our zine.
To formulate our first issue, we held an experimental print workshop in the Caseroom which encouraged the community to interact with our zine. Many of the outcomes from this workshop made it’s way into the final issue.
The zine features work from BIPOC students at GSA from all disciplines, and this is a collaborative project with Lizzie Eidson as Creative Director/Illustrator and Tania Rodrigues as Lead Graphic Designer. This issue was printed and supported by NewspaperClub and a percentage of all the proceeds will be going towards a POC charity.
Project Links
