I designed “Los Matices” to address the lack of Latinx representation in American media. American media does not reflect the population of Latinx people in the United States numerically or culturally. The Latinx community makes up about 18% of the U.S. population and 29.9% of Denver's population, yet only comprise 5.8 to 6% of the speaking roles on television. Generally, this percentage is dominated by stereotypes. In reality, the Latinx community does not fit into these narrow stereotypes. It is a vast and diverse set of experiences. As I researched this disparity for my thesis, I wondered how I could use my skills as a designer to create opportunities to tell accurate and authentic stories of Latinx culture and community. This piece is my addition of an authentic Latinx story to the American media landscape. The animation highlights the story of Rosa, a mixed Latina born and raised in Denver, CO.

To create an authentic piece of media, I went straight to the source. Rosa is a mixed Latina born to Puerto Rican and Mexican parents in Denver, CO. I interviewed her about her experience with identity and growing up mixed, and cut that interview down to a short story that I could then animate. For the visual aspects of the video, such as color, typography, and character design, I took references from her lived experience, such as her family home, as well as existing Latinx media. 

Deliverables for this project included a one-minute and 40-second motion piece, a detailed process book, and a comprehensive research document. Los Matices was displayed in the 2021 CU Denver Visual Arts Thesis show at the Emmanuel Art Gallery in Denver, CO. 

For more in-depth details on the project or to see the process book, please contact me.