Play Nice,
Connect Queerly
Play Nice,
Connect Queerly
Play Nice,
Connect Queerly
Bridging Queer Generations
Bridging Queer Generations
Designing meaningful interaction across queer generations through research, co-design, and play.
Designing meaningful interaction across queer generations through research, co-design, and play.
Designing meaningful interaction across queer generations through research, co-design, and play.
Client
Media Design School (Master of Design Major Project)
PROJECT SCOPE
Research · Strategy · Brand Identity · Experience Design · Facilitation
Research · Strategy · Brand Identity · Experience Design · Facilitation
Year
2026
Role
Researcher · EXP Designer · Brand Designer · Workshop Facilitator
Researcher · EXP Designer · Brand Designer · Workshop Facilitator
THE problem
Many LGBTQIA+ people still struggle to find spaces for meaningful intergenerational connection.
Why connection doesn’t happen easily?
01
Few spaces connect queer generations.
02
Many existing spaces revolve around nightlife and dating.
03
Not all spaces support meaningful interaction
THE problem
Many LGBTQIA+ people still
struggle to find spaces for meaningful intergenerational connection.
Many LGBTQIA+ people still struggle to find spaces where meaningful relationships can develop across generations.
01
Few spaces connect queer generations.
Few spaces connect queer generations.
02
Many existing spaces revolve around
nightlife and dating.
Many existing spaces revolve around nightlife and dating.
03
Event formats don't always encourage interaction.
Event formats don't always encourage interaction.
RESEARCH
Real voices from the community
Real voices from the community
Real voices from the community
"As I approached 60, there was a stigma attached to it, it felt like I’d disappeared and wasn’t being seen. People think that up to 55 and older, you’re past it, and society almost makes you feel invisible."
KAREN, 61
Self-employed landscaper
DESIGN STRATEGY
Connection doesn't just happen.
It needs to be designed.
Connection doesn't just happen.
It needs to be designed.
Connection doesn't just happen.
It needs to be designed.
THE solution
Designing with the community
Designing with the community
A two-day intergenerational co-design workshop exploring queer connection through games, shared activities, and creative collaboration.
A two-day intergenerational co-design workshop exploring queer connection through games, shared activities, and creative collaboration.
Together, participants explored:
Together, participants explored:
What builds comfort, trust, and belonging.
What builds comfort, trust, and belonging.
An adaptable framework for future queer gatherings.
An adaptable framework for future queer gatherings.
Who better to design queer gatherings than queer people themselves?
Who better to design queer gatherings than queer people themselves?
THE solution
Designing with the community
A two-day intergenerational co-design workshop exploring queer connection through games, shared activities, and creative collaboration.
Together, participants explored:
What builds comfort, trust, and belonging.
An adaptable framework for future queer gatherings.
Who better to design queer gatherings than queer people themselves?
recruitment strategy
Reaching the community where they already were.
Reaching the community where they already were.
Reaching the community where they already were.
Designed for visibility
Designed for visibility
Designed for visibility
Bold visuals, clear messaging, and QR tear-off posters made registration simple while helping gauge community interest.
Bold visuals, clear messaging, and QR tear-off posters made registration simple while helping gauge community interest.
Distributed through trusted spaces
Distributed through trusted spaces
Distributed through trusted spaces
Shared through Pride events, local spaces, and online LGBTQIA+ community groups.
Shared through Pride events, local spaces, and online LGBTQIA+ community groups.
Visual Identity
The visual identity was designed to support the experience from beginning to end.
The visual identity was designed to support the experience from beginning to end.
The visual identity was designed to support the experience from beginning to end.
Inspired by vintage community flyers, it feels familiar to older participants while remaining engaging for younger audiences. Bold colour pairings reference the rainbow flag without relying on overt rainbow symbolism.
Inspired by vintage community flyers, it feels familiar to older participants while remaining engaging for younger audiences. Bold colour pairings reference the rainbow flag without relying on overt rainbow symbolism.
The visual identity was designed to support the experience from beginning to end. Inspired by vintage community flyers, it feels familiar to older participants while remaining engaging for younger audiences. Bold colour pairings reference the rainbow flag without relying on overt rainbow symbolism.
the workshop experience
The workshop demonstrated how thoughtful design can shape the way people meet, interact, and collaborate.
The workshop demonstrated how thoughtful design can shape the way people meet, interact, and collaborate.
The workshop demonstrated how thoughtful design can shape the way people meet, interact, and collaborate.
WORKSHOP OUTCOME: the playbook
A practical guide for designing queer community gatherings. Includes insights, principles, and activity ideas developed through the workshop.
A practical guide for designing queer community gatherings. Includes insights, principles, and activity ideas developed through the workshop.
A practical guide for designing queer community gatherings. Includes insights, principles, and activity ideas developed through the workshop.
