BEYOND LABELS
Redesign and Design Research
BEYOND LABELS
Redesign and Design Research
BEYOND LABELS
Redesign and Design Research
Context
01/07
Context
01/07
Beyond Labels is a digital project exploring queer belonging and the societal pressure to label gender and sexual identity. The project was originally developed in September 2024 as part of a university module that focused on exploring gender. Its initial form was an informational website presenting a written essay about identity, labeling, and social norms. In September 2025, I fully redesigned the project after reflecting on its limited capacity to create change or engagement.
Beyond Labels is a digital project exploring queer belonging and the societal pressure to label gender and sexual identity. The project was originally developed in September 2024 as part of a university module that focused on exploring gender. Its initial form was an informational website presenting a written essay about identity, labeling, and social norms. In September 2025, I fully redesigned the project after reflecting on its limited capacity to create change or engagement.
Problem
02/07
Problem
02/07
Problem
02/07
While the original project successfully articulated the issue of labeling and stereotyping queer identities, it remained passive. The website focused on awareness rather than action. It didn't offer support for users who might be affected by the topic. This raised a critical design question: How can a design project move beyond informing users, and instead create meaningful interaction and change?
While the original project successfully articulated the issue of labeling and stereotyping queer identities, it remained passive. The website focused on awareness rather than action. It didn't offer support for users who might be affected by the topic. This raised a critical design question: How can a design project move beyond informing users, and instead create meaningful interaction and change?
While the original project successfully articulated the issue of labeling and stereotyping queer identities, it remained passive. The website focused on awareness rather than action. It didn't offer support for users who might be affected by the topic. This raised a critical design question: How can a design project move beyond informing users, and instead create meaningful interaction and change?
The first version of Beyond Labels
The first version of Beyond Labels
The first version of Beyond Labels
Link to the website
Link to the website
Link to the website
Research
03/07
Research
03/07
The concept of Beyond Labels is rooted in research on identity, labeling, and persuasion. The original website explored how labels can function both as tools of empowerment and as restrictive categories that create pressure and exclusion. During the redesign my research expanded to include persuasive design theory (Marshall Soules), such as ethical persuasion and positive self-feeling. I also explored interaction design approaches to emotional safety, anonymity and trust. This research shifted my focus from just presenting my arguments digitally into designing lived experiences with care.
The concept of Beyond Labels is rooted in research on identity, labeling, and persuasion. The original website explored how labels can function both as tools of empowerment and as restrictive categories that create pressure and exclusion. During the redesign my research expanded to include persuasive design theory (Marshall Soules), such as ethical persuasion and positive self-feeling. I also explored interaction design approaches to emotional safety, anonymity and trust. This research shifted my focus from just presenting my arguments digitally into designing lived experiences with care.
Process
04/06
The redesign was the main shift in my design thinking. Instead of treating the website as informational content, I began to view it as a social space. The goal was no longer to explain the problem, but to encourage connection.I reframed the project as a participatory platform, that allows users to engage anonymously, share stories, and connect with others who feel pressured by norms of labeling. This meant designing not only visual elements, but also emotional cues, and ethical persuasion strategies. The project was redesigned in Figma to allow for rapid iteration and intentional interaction design.
Solution
05/06
The final outcome is a calm, participatory digital platform that functions as a safe space for queer expression and connection. Beyond Labels no longer stops at awareness, but creates an environment where users can actively engage, share, and feel less alone. The redesign transforms the project from a static website into an evolving community-oriented system. The Redesigned website isn’t yet published, but that is something I plan on executing after the beginning of this year (2026).
Design Process
04/07
Design Process
04/07
The redesign was the main shift in my design thinking. Instead of treating the website as informational content, I began to view it as a social space. The goal was no longer to explain the problem, but to encourage connection.I reframed the project as a participatory platform, that allows users to engage anonymously, share stories, and connect with others who feel pressured by norms of labeling. This meant designing not only visual elements, but also emotional cues, and ethical persuasion strategies. The project was redesigned in Figma to allow for rapid iteration and intentional interaction design.
The redesign was the main shift in my design thinking. Instead of treating the website as informational content, I began to view it as a social space. The goal was no longer to explain the problem, but to encourage connection.I reframed the project as a participatory platform, that allows users to engage anonymously, share stories, and connect with others who feel pressured by norms of labeling. This meant designing not only visual elements, but also emotional cues, and ethical persuasion strategies. The project was redesigned in Figma to allow for rapid iteration and intentional interaction design.
Idealising the redesign
Idealising the redesign and sketching the redesign for Beyond Labels
Idealising the redesign
Sketching the new platform for Beyond Labels
Sketching the new platform for Beyond Labels
Solution
05/07
Solution
05/07
The final outcome is a calm, participatory digital platform that functions as a safe space for queer expression and connection. Beyond Labels no longer stops at awareness, but creates an environment where users can actively engage, share, and feel less alone. The redesign transforms the project from a static website into an evolving community-oriented system. The Redesigned website isn’t yet published, but that is something I plan on executing after the beginning of this year (2026).
The final outcome is a calm, participatory digital platform that functions as a safe space for queer expression and connection. Beyond Labels no longer stops at awareness, but creates an environment where users can actively engage, share, and feel less alone. The redesign transforms the project from a static website into an evolving community-oriented system. The Redesigned website isn’t yet published, but that is something I plan on executing after the beginning of this year (2026).
Final Interface
Final Interface
Final Interface
Redesigned version of Beyond Labels.
The key themes are revolving around open queer expression and
community building.
Redesigned version of Beyond Labels. The key themes are revolving around open queer expression and community building.
Redesigned version of Beyond Labels.
The key themes are revolving around open queer expression and community building.
Link to the figma file
Link to the figma file
Link to the figma file
Content & Structure
06/07
Content & Structure
06/07
The redesigned Beyond Labels is structured into three main sections: 1. Introduction (establishes context and emotional safety) 2. Your Story (invites users to share experiences, questions, or reflections anonymously) and 3. Community Archive (collects and displays shared stories, allowing users to relate and respond). The supporting elements on the website include writing prompts, a comment field for interaction, and a newsletter to maintain connection beyond a single visit.
The redesigned Beyond Labels is structured into three main sections: 1. Introduction (establishes context and emotional safety) 2. Your Story (invites users to share experiences, questions, or reflections anonymously) and 3. Community Archive (collects and displays shared stories, allowing users to relate and respond). The supporting elements on the website include writing prompts, a comment field for interaction, and a newsletter to maintain connection beyond a single visit.
Content &
Structure
06/07
The redesigned Beyond Labels is structured into three main sections: 1. Introduction (establishes context and emotional safety) 2. Your Story (invites users to share experiences, questions, or reflections anonymously) and 3. Community Archive (collects and displays shared stories, allowing users to relate and respond). The supporting elements on the website include writing prompts, a comment field for interaction, and a newsletter to maintain connection beyond a single visit.
Conclusion
07/07
This project reflects a shift in my understanding of interaction design, from delivering messages to designing relationships. Through the redesign, I learned that persuasion can be ethical, supportive, and beneficial when it priorities emotional safety and user individuality. I enjoyed working on this project, and discovered what kind of projects I would like to do in the future. I am in the process of publishing the website as a full working platform, since it’s still in the beta version.
Introduction to the site and the topic. Shortly explains the main aim for the platform. Includes a pop up of a newsletter, so you can sign up in the community.
Introduction to the site and the topic. Shortly explains the main aim for the platform. Includes a pop up of a newsletter, so you can sign up in the community.
Introduction to the site and the topic. Shortly explains the main aim for the platform. Includes a pop up of a newsletter, so you can sign up in the community.
Your story page: Invites users to share experiences, questions or reflections anonymously. From this page you can also view possible prompts for submission ideas.
Your story page: Invites users to share experiences, questions or reflections anonymously. From this page you can also view possible prompts for submission ideas.
Your story page: Invites users to share experiences, questions or reflections anonymously. From this page you can also view possible prompts for submission ideas.
Community page: Collects and displays shared stories, allowing users to relate and respond to others. After clicking on a story, it shows the publishing date and comments from other community members.
Community page: Collects and displays shared stories, allowing users to relate and respond to others. After clicking on a story, it shows the publishing date and comments from other community members.
Community page: Collects and displays shared stories, allowing users to relate and respond to others. After clicking on a story, it shows the publishing date and comments from other community members.
Conclusion
07/07
Conclusion
07/07
This project reflects a shift in my understanding of interaction design, from delivering messages to designing relationships. Through the redesign, I learned that persuasion can be ethical, supportive, and beneficial when it priorities emotional safety and user individuality. I enjoyed working on this project, and discovered what kind of projects I would like to do in the future. I am in the process of publishing the website as a full working platform, since it’s still in the beta version.
This project reflects a shift in my understanding of interaction design, from delivering messages to designing relationships. Through the redesign, I learned that persuasion can be ethical, supportive, and beneficial when it priorities emotional safety and user individuality. I enjoyed working on this project, and discovered what kind of projects I would like to do in the future. I am in the process of publishing the website as a full working platform, since it’s still in the beta version.
Context
01/06
Beyond Labels is a digital project exploring queer belonging and the societal pressure to label gender and sexual identity. The project was originally developed in September 2024 as part of a university module that focused on exploring gender. Its initial form was an informational website presenting a written essay about identity, labeling, and social norms. In September 2025, I fully redesigned the project after reflecting on its limited capacity to create change or engagement.
Research
03/06
The concept of Beyond Labels is rooted in research on identity, labeling, and persuasion. The original website explored how labels can function both as tools of empowerment and as restrictive categories that create pressure and exclusion. During the redesign my research expanded to include persuasive design theory (Marshall Soules), such as ethical persuasion and positive self-feeling. I also explored interaction design approaches to emotional safety, anonymity and trust. This research shifted my focus from just presenting my arguments digitally into designing lived experiences with care.