Shiri Burson

(

They/Them

)

Chicago, IL, USA

I'm a gender flux baddie with a background in farming and RJ. I create designs that support community and environmental sustainably.

No items found.

How does being queer inform your work?

I always think about how to make digital products accessible for anyone to navigate. I specialize in designing for neurodiverse folx by finding simplistic ways for people to get as much information as possible from any product. I have a background in supporting homeless youth, which sadly are predominantly queer. As someone who is trauma-informed and has worked with vulnerable populations, I bring a unique perspective to research and design. Patience, empathy, and light-heartedness can provide space for people to feel safe in sharing honestly. Honesty results in thorough research and more accurate designs.

What are your favorite pieces of queer visual culture?

Can we all agree that Toulouse-Lautrec was queer? I know there is no real evidence but his work has always spoken to my super gay gender-fluxing heart. I also love all of John Waters, Laura Aguilar, and the works of Marimacha Monarca Press.

Which other queer people inspire you?

The queer people in my community inspire the heck out of me. We are QTBIPOC farmers, activists, designers, illustrators, nurses, caretakers, printmakers, policymakers, youth workers and musicians. Seeing people that I care about deeply move toward a world where our unique identities are honored, motivates my path as a designer.