After exploring feminist movements and the bold visuals of protest design in my previous posts, I began to wonder about the power of design in addressing issues that society often avoids altogether. While protest design fights for visibility and action, it also lays the groundwork for addressing the topics we shy away from: taboos. These are the subjects—like menstruation, mental health or sexuality and sex—that have been held in stigma and silence for generations (Bentley, 2022).
Design, with its unique ability to provoke thought and evoke emotion, is emerging as a powerful force to challenge these unspoken issues. Through creativity, designers are bringing these topics into the open, encouraging dialogue, and fostering a culture of understanding.
First of all, why do we even have Taboos?
Taboos exist to maintain social order and protect cultural values. They help define the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, shaping how individuals interact within a community. By setting these boundaries, societies ensure the stability of relationships, prevent harm, and preserve traditions. Taboos also reflect deeper fears, beliefs, and the need for respect in various contexts, from moral codes to personal boundaries (Jones et al., 2008).
Taboo of Menstruation
Menstruation has long been a taboo topic, shrouded in euphemisms and discomfort. For decades, advertisements depicted blue liquid instead of blood and avoided any realistic portrayal of menstruation (Germerott, 2023). But in recent years, bold design has been at the forefront of breaking these stereotypes (United Nations, 2024).
Bodyform’s “#BloodNormal” Campaign was a groundbreaking campaign in 2018 that broke away from sanitized norms by using realistic depictions of period blood in ads. By showing what menstruation actually looks like, the campaign normalized periods and encouraged open conversations about them (Campaigns of the World, 2017).
Mental Health: From Stigma to Awareness
For decades, mental health has been surrounded by silence and stigma, but design is helping break this cycle.
- The Semicolon Project: A simple semicolon, representing a pause rather than an end, has become a powerful symbol of hope for those struggling with mental illness. The project was established in 2013 to raise awareness and to start talking about mental health issues like depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide (Project Semicolon, 2025). This minimalist yet emotional design has been embraced globally, often appearing in tattoos as a sign of solidarity.
- Posters and Campaigns: Organizations like Time to Change use bold, brightly colored posters to encourage open discussions about depression, anxiety, and therapy (Time To Change, 2019). These designs often feature approachable typography paired with direct, compassionate messaging.
Sexuality and Gender Identity: Breaking Norms Through Visibility
Design has played a central role in fostering acceptance and inclusivity for topics like sexuality and gender identity. For Example, Gilbert Baker’s iconic rainbow flag started as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride (Gilbert Baker Foundation, 2019). It has since evolved into numerous variations, like the Progress Pride Flag, which incorporates stripes for transgender and people of colour communities. These designs visibly represent diversity and inclusivity and has created a safe space and form of identity that has helped a lot of people to talk and learn about their sexuality as it wasn’t accepted for many years.
Also, the topic of sex education is so important for the youth but wasn’t properly talked about for so long. The design of sex education materials, including apps, websites, or even physical models, navigates the tension between education and cultural taboos and can often be done anonymously which eliminates possible shame (Buchmann, 2023).
For instance, Planned Parenthood designs user-friendly, non-judgmental interfaces for teens seeking sexual health information (Planned Parenthood, 2019).
Why Design Works
The power of design lies in its ability to bypass language and cultural barriers. A single image or symbol can convey a message instantly and provoke an emotional response (PwC, 2017). For example, a vivid poster on body positivity or a sculpture addressing domestic violence can evoke empathy and challenge ingrained biases.
Design also creates visibility for marginalized groups. When a taboo is represented visually, it gains legitimacy and enters public discourse, making it harder to ignore (Celestine, 2023).
Challenges and Criticisms
Using design to address taboos isn’t without challenges. Pushback from audiences who find the work provocative or inappropriate is common. There’s also the risk of commodification. When corporations adopt taboo-breaking designs for profit without authentic commitment to the cause, the message can feel hollow or exploitative (Najafi et al., 2024).
Lastly, Are Taboos a good thing sometimes?
There are voices that state thatit is important to have taboos in some contexts and they play a crucial role in building civil society. They establish boundaries that protect collective values and prevent harmful rhetoric from destabilizing social harmony. For instance, taboos against hate speech or discriminatory language reinforce ethical standards and preserve respect (Singh, 2023).
Yet, the line between a constructive and oppressive taboo is delicate. Overuse or misuse of taboos risks silencing necessary discussions, freezing consensus, and stifling progress. When taboo topics are avoided, their underlying issues can fester in silence, leading to backlash or misunderstanding. Conversely, a thoughtful re-evaluation of taboos can lead to renegotiation of societal norms, as seen in shifts around LGBTQ+ rights or discussions of racial inequality.
In the age of the internet, where taboos are routinely challenged and reshaped, the question is not merely whether breaking a taboo is good, but whether it leads to meaningful, constructive change. Breaking certain taboos can liberate dialogue, but it also risks eroding protections that took centuries to establish. Navigating this tension thoughtfully is essential to ensure that what is unspeakable remains a safeguard for humanity, not a barrier to progress (Schwartz, 2019).
Sources
Bentley, M. (2022). A New Model of “Taboo”: Disgust, Stigmatization, and Fetishization. International Studies Review, 24(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viac028
Buchmann, M. (2023, July 24). Shedding Sexual Shame After Really Bad Sex Ed. Momotaro Apotheca. https://momotaroapotheca.com/blogs/vaginal-wellness/shedding-sexual-shame-from-poor-sex-education-in-america?srsltid=AfmBOor6Da7NbSbF4bwm5_27zJUtcJrihYD2jCCYhK0WAeUUu9WQUXuD
Campaigns of the World. (2017, October 21). Bodyform – “Periods are normal. Showing them should be too.” #BloodNormal – Best Advertising Campaigns & Marketing Strategy. Campaigns of the World. https://campaignsoftheworld.com/digital-campaigns/bodyform-blood-normal-campaign/
Celestine, A. (2023, August 22). The Power of Design to Drive Positive Social Change. Celestine’s Design Journal. https://medium.com/design-grip/the-power-of-design-to-drive-positive-social-change-e9830da28584
Germerott, I. (2023, March 2). Blut und Scham: Wie die Menstruation zum Tabuthema wurde. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.de/geschichte-und-kultur/2023/03/blut-und-scham-wie-die-menstruation-zum-tabuthema-wurde-religion-patriarchat-wissenschaft-medizin
Gilbert Baker Foundation. (2019). Rainbow Flag: Origin Story. Gillbert Baker. https://gilbertbaker.com/rainbow-flag-origin-story/
JONES, J. P. G., ANDRIAMAROVOLOLONA, M. M., & HOCKLEY, N. (2008). The Importance of Taboos and Social Norms to Conservation in Madagascar. Conservation Biology, 22(4), 976–986. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00970.x
Planned Parenthood. (2019). Planned Parenthood. Plannedparenthood.org. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn
Project Semicolon. (2025). Project Semicolon – Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Organization – Your Story Isn’t Over. Project Semicolon – Your Story Isn’t Over. https://www.projectsemicolon.com/
PwC. (2017). The Power of Visual Communication.
Schwartz, A. E. (2019, March 14). Opinion | Why We Need Taboos. Moment Magazine. https://momentmag.com/opinion-why-we-need-taboos/?srsltid=AfmBOoo74N415TBzmN44zEsTbExTaJPz8NJCwg2p-gCuQOZIzByF1pDL
Singh, P. (2023, September 24). Taboos have played a significant role in shaping human societies throughout…. Medium. https://medium.com/@soamsila/taboos-have-played-a-significant-role-in-shaping-human-societies-throughout-548705671451
Time To Change. (2019). Time to Change | Let’s End Mental Health Discrimination. Time-To-Change.org.uk. https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
United Nations. (2024). Breaking the taboos around menstrual health for gender equality. OHCHR. https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2024/05/breaking-taboos-around-menstrual-health-gender-equality
