✊🏼 Don't Let Exploitation be Polished Over Zine

The zine project embarked on a comprehensive exploration of the diverse challenges confronted by nail salon workers, encompassing labor rights, health hazards, advocacy, and self-care. Its scope extended beyond nail salon workers to encompass allies and supporters, fostering a collective understanding and collaboration in the pursuit of a safer and more just work environment.

The nail salon industry confronts significant challenges, encompassing workers' rights violations, health hazards, and societal neglect. These problems are compounded by limited access to information and avenues for addressing them. Consequently, the industry's workforce faces exploitation, enduring long hours, low wages, and inadequate protections, including toxic chemical exposure.

There was tremendous need for an accessible educational resource tailored specifically for nail salon workers to know their rights and become advocates for themselves. We determined that a zine filled with focused information on key issues like health and safety protections, labor laws, taking action, and self-care could have an empowering effect. Our goal was to dismantle the barriers to connectivity and inspire a movement of positive change within the industry.

Our project commenced with thorough research into the nail industry, which included the examination of existing materials, history of the nail industry in America and consultations with labor rights and occupational health experts. This research informed our selection of key topics and messages for the zine. Additionally, we conducted investigations into the health effects of salon chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and methyl methacrylate, uncovering alarming statistics on wage theft, poverty-level pay, and discrimination in the industry.

After reviewing our research, we brainstormed ways to present educational content, resources, and calls-to-action in an inspiring manner. We proposed using worker photography and illustrations to enhance engagement. The design phase began with ideation and sketching layouts and visual elements. We opted for a bold color palette of yellow, black, and white to emphasize the seriousness of the topics. To maintain a personal touch, we combined "handwritten" and sans-serif fonts, striking a balance between approachability and professionalism.

As the designer, I shaped the zine's visual narrative to resonate with our audience. This involved decisions on layout, typography, colors, and imagery for a cohesive style. The visuals are arranged for easy readability and to capture the essence of the nail industry and its challenges.

The zine served as a powerful tool to empower nail salon workers with knowledge and resources. It was shared in digital formats via social media and presented at an exhibition held at The People's Forum, generating positive feedback and sparking conversations about workers' rights and health. The project contributed to a broader movement advocating for fair working conditions in the nail industry.