Tainted is an exhibition about the MSM (men who have sex with men) blood ban in the United States. As you move through the exhibition you’ll see that it’s broken down into panels that grouped together almost like that of a puzzle. Each panel describes a part of the problem with this out-of-date and quite frankly fear-based issue. The color red was chosen because it’s emblematic of blood and the type is variable to try and mimic the fluidity of blood cells within the body. The bold graphic style of the typography is used to engage attention because this content is incredibly important. Not only is it incredibly important to display this information, but I wanted to give this issue the context it deserves, especially because the ban was just lifted in January of this year. This project is ultimately attempting to emphasize that it took 40 years to get this ban lifted.

At the time of this project the blood ban was still active. It was lifted in January 2023.