Jordan Pagel

Abstract

There are more slaves in the world today than ever before. Trafficking crimes happen everywhere, so my graphic design project, The Perfect Breed, aims to inform the Valparaiso University community of this social issue. The Perfect Breed is designed to feel like a cross between a mainstream fashion magazine and a cattle breeders catalog. Cattle breeders catalogs are a way that livestock owners can sell their animals to the meat industry. By creating a magazine that emulates this format, it mimics the dehumanizing effects of sex trafficking when humans are compared to animals or objects. I am approaching this project from the viewpoint of a graphic designer. I visually manipulate my magazine. At first glance it appears to be your typical fashion magazine but as it is read, viewers discover the darker undertones. My intention is for the viewer to experience shock value when they come to the conclusion that this is not something to brush off and be forgotten about. The familiarity of a magazine illustrates that this industry happens beneath our very nose and is hidden in plain sight.