Pornografie in Perspektive

Pornography is widespread yet rarely discussed openly. Many young people rely on it for sexual knowledge, despite its often unrealistic depictions of bodies, gender roles, and consent. Existing educational approaches tend to moralize or ignore the topic.

"Pornografie in Perspektive" creates an interactive space for visitors (14+) to critically engage with pornography. Using VHS tapes as a central element, the exhibition challenge s myths, encourages reflection, and fosters open dialogue—without judgment.

Collaborator

Alia Tasler


Timeframe

Oct. 2024 - Jan. ‘25 (16 weeks)


My Role

Concept, UI Design, UX Research, Illustration






Research and Insights
We started with a quantitative survey of 224 participants. Only 16.5% rated their sex education positively, with many feeling that digital aspects and pornography were overlooked.

Additionally, we conducted six qualitative interviews with experts in sex education and pornography. They emphasized the importance of early education, media literacy, and an open, critical approach to pornography, rather than taboo or prohibition.

These insights informed the direction of our exhibition, helping us address gaps in sexual education and fostering a space for critical reflection.

Iterative Process
Early in the process, we explored a wide range of exhibition concepts. In brainstorming sessions, we sketched ideas for interactive installations, analogue games, digital tools, and participatory formats.
Through this iterative refinement, one concept emerged as particularly powerful: an interactive installation based on VHS tapes. It combined a nostalgic aesthetic with a critical reflection on pornographic narratives.


Through our exploration, we identified three core components that we wanted to feature in the final exhibition
An information wall, serving as the primary source of factual and contextual knowledge
 VHS tapes, designed to spark curiosity and encourage viewers to engage with the installation
 An interactive screen experience, allowing users to dive deeper into the topic and develop a more profound understanding
We cut the plywood to size at the university workshop.

Stapling the paper to the plywood.

To bring our exhibition wall to life, we started with a 2m x 1.1m sheet of plywood as our foundation. We printed a long strip of heavy paper, carefully aligning it and securing it to the board with a stapler — creating a textured, tactile surface that added depth to the overall look. To complete the setup, we crafted a small wooden shelf directly onto the board, perfectly sized to display our VHS tapes and invite visitors to engage with the station.

The wall was a central element in shaping our design decisions.
It served as a testing ground where we experimented with different design approaches and ultimately defined the final style guide for the exhibition — a visual language that we consistently applied across the VHS tapes and the screen interface.

For typography, we combined the geometric sans-serif Rubik for body text and interface elements with PP Cirka and PP Playground for headings and titles. This pairing allowed us to create a balance between clarity, elegance, and a playful, experimental touch that reflected the spirit of the exhibition.
Final Wall

The VHS Tapes

 On the exhibition wall, there are nine VHS tapes displayed.
Each tape features a hand-illustrated cover, inspired by vintage porn packaging — kitschy, suggestive, yet also ironic and ambiguous.
We designed five different tapes, each with a fictional title and a visual metaphor that hints at the video's theme inside (e.g., performance pressure, diversity, etc.).
The illustrations play with clichés and nostalgia while subverting expectations: they spark curiosity without replicating explicit content.

Nine VHS Tapes displayed on the shelf
VHS tape used in the interaction

Screen Interaction

The concept is completed with the screen interaction. To support this interaction, we created a clear information architecture, flowcharts, and wireframes that defined how the user would navigate through the experience. We tested early prototypes with peers and educators and iterated based on feedback – refining the difficulty of questions, the tone of the narrator, and the responsiveness of interactions.
Inserting a VHS tape
 At the center of the station is a CRT television with an integrated screen. The interaction begins as soon as a VHS tape is inserted, displaying stylized pornographic sequences in a pixelated halftone look. A neutral narrator’s voice describes what is shown on the screen. Using a Joy-Con controller, visitors can engage with the experience: while the sequences play, pop-ups appear with reflection questions — for example, about the duration of sex or how communication is portrayed. The users’ answers are then put into context: both by referencing real-world facts and by offering a critical media perspective.

A narrated scene















A pop-up that invites the user to reflect




Impressum