In a world of fast fashion most offensive shirts and viral trends, a T-shirt can be a powerful statement. But how do you know if that statement crosses the line from edgy to offensive? The answer often lies in asking the right questions. Before you buy or design a potentially controversial shirt, here are five critical questions to ask yourself to ensure your message is a positive one.
Does This Message ‘Punch Down’?
This is the most fundamental ethical question in design. A message “punches down” when it targets a person or group with less power, often a marginalized community. Humor or criticism is only harmless when it is aimed at a person or group that holds social power. If your design makes a group of people with a history of being oppressed the butt of the joke, it is not edgy—it is offensive.
What Is the Historical Context?
Symbols and phrases carry history. A seemingly harmless image or word might have been used in the past to promote hate, violence, or discrimination. Ignorance of this history is not an excuse. A quick search of a phrase or symbol can reveal a past that makes the design completely inappropriate. Being aware of the historical context is a key step in avoiding a major mistake.
Who Is the Butt of the Joke?
Humor can be a powerful tool, but it is not a free pass. If the humor comes at the expense of a specific group of people, it’s not a joke—it’s an attack. A truly clever or funny shirt finds its humor in shared experience, absurdity, or a critique of systems, not in making an entire community of people feel like a punchline.
Could This Trivialise Someone’s Trauma?
A design is offensive when it makes light of serious social issues, violence, or historical tragedy. Making a joke about a painful event or a serious issue like mental health, violence, or a natural disaster can be deeply hurtful and insensitive. A shirt’s message should never make light of real-world pain or suffering.
Is My Intention More Important Than the Impact?
Perhaps the most important question to ask is this: “Is my intention more important than the impact?” You may have intended to be funny or provocative, but if the design has a genuinely negative impact on a person or community, that’s what truly matters. A good intention doesn’t negate a bad outcome. A responsible designer or consumer understands that a message is defined by how it is received, not just by how it was sent.