Spectris Tags: Dogtags for the LGBTQ+ Spectrum
The goal behind the Spectris Tags was to design a subtle, safe, and still fashionable way of depicting LGBTQ+ pride.
The Purpose
Not everyone is in a place where they feel secure enough to be proud of who they are.
This can be because of the household they live in, the community surrounding them, or potentially due to other circumstantial situations that are not in that individual’s control. Not everyone can attend a pride parade, have boisterous displays of their flag colors, or even have a small rendition of their identifying flag for themselves without being met with some form of skepticism, condescension, or even hostility. In my mind, it should not be this way. Everyone should be able to be fortified in who they are in their identity, even if it is only in a small, more private way… at least until those people are in safer places where they can indeed be loud and proud. The Spectris Tags are designed around the LGBTQ+ community, but are made in a way that is as subtle as possible with the flags presented. The goal is to have a small form of tactical representation that a wearer in such environments listed above can feel safe in having, without a potential fear of negativity, toxicity, doxxing, persecution, etc. At the same time, the design is still aimed to stay fashionable for a representation of pride.
The Selections
The Spectris Tags came in twelve [12] different colored LGBTQ+ flag themed options:
Lesbian
Gay/LGBTQ+ Classic
Pansexual
Bisexual
Polyamory
Genderqueer
Nonbinary
Asexual
Transgender
Aromantic
Genderfluid
Demisexual
There were also the option of five [5] colorless adaptations for these flags, using only the number of diamonds as a base and keeping the overall tag clear:
3 Diamond [Pansexual, Bisexual, Genderqueer]
4 Diamond [Nonbinary, Asexual]
5 Diamond [Polyamory, Transgender, Aromantic, Genderfluid, Demisexual]
6 Diamond [Gay/LGBTQ+ Classic]
7 Diamond [Lesbian]
The Process
Spectris Tags were made from clear, 1/8 inch thick acrylic, laser cut and assembled with water thin acrylic adhesive.
The diamonds of each LGBTQ+ flag were cut from 1/8 inch thick colored acrylics, and placed into the clear tag bases with the same adhesive.
The tags were then placed upon 24 inch ball chains.
When assembled, the tags were 1/4 inch thick, as it was two layers of 1/8 inch pieces.