Veil & Voices
Case Study
Veil & Voices is a multidisciplinary design project developed over 15 weeks as my Senior Capstone Project. Inspired by my own identity as a hijabi woman, the project challenges stereotypes surrounding hijabi Muslim women by centering real stories and lived experiences. It explores how media narratives often reduce Muslim women to one-dimensional representations. Through a poster series, website, social media campaign, and printed zine, the project aims to create a more nuanced, personal, and community-driven understanding of the hijab.
Problem Statement
Hijabi women are frequently misunderstood and stereotyped in media and public perception, limiting how their identities and experiences are recognized. Existing representations rarely reflect the diversity, agency, and pride of hijabi women, creating a lack of authentic visual and narrative storytelling.
Research & Early Concept Development
I began the project by conducting primary research to better understand both the experiences of hijabi women and the public’s perceptions of the hijab. I used a mix of qualitative methods including surveys, interviews, and informal discussions. I interviewed many hijabi women who shared their personal experiences with identity, faith, and public perception. Their reflections highlighted how the hijab can represent empowerment, faith, comfort, and personal choice.
To understand broader perceptions, I collected survey responses through Google Forms and analyzed patterns in how people think about the hijab. I also examined how hijabi women are portrayed in film, news media, and social media. This analysis revealed that many portrayals rely on simplified narratives that frame hijabi women as oppressed, silent, or voiceless.
Community participation was also an important part of the research. I gathered handwritten reflections and statements from hijabi women to bring their voices directly into the project.
From this research, several key insights emerged: many hijabi women wear the hijab for personal reasons such as faith, identity, and comfort; however, they often face discrimination and assumptions in public spaces and media representation. Both interview participants and survey responses emphasized the importance of sharing real stories and highlighting individuality. These insights shaped the direction of Veil & Voices, focusing the project on storytelling and authentic representation rather than statistics or external narratives.
Primary Research Notes
Early research exploring the experiences of hijabi women and public perceptions through interviews, surveys, and written reflections.
Media Representation Analysis
Research examining how hijabi women are portrayed in film, news media, and social media.
Final Outcome
The final project includes a poster series, a printed zine, and design concepts for a website and social media campaign. Each platform uses the same visual language while adapting to its format. I also created an interactive experience where participants tried on a hijab and shared their thoughts and feelings. This activity encouraged conversation and reflection, helping people better understand the personal meaning behind wearing the hijab. Together, these elements create a multi-platform storytelling project that challenges stereotypes by highlighting real voices and experiences.
Conclusion
Working on Veil & Voices was a meaningful experience that allowed me to explore design through storytelling, culture, and identity. The project focused on centering the voices and experiences of hijabi women, showing how design can help challenge stereotypes and create understanding.
Throughout the process, I learned how important it is to balance creativity with purpose. Every design decision from typography to layout played a role in supporting the message. The project also showed me the value of feedback and community perspectives. Overall, it strengthened my interest in using design as a tool for empathy, connection, and meaningful communication.