Panky
Components: Illustration, Printmaking, Textile Design, Pattern Design, Book Design, Sex Education, Research
NSFW warning: this is a sex education project intended for viewers 18 and up. Depending on where you work, this case study may not be appropriate for the workplace.
Overview
Panky is a series of illustrated, screen printed bandanas I created in homage to hanky code: the queer historic practice of using color-coded handkerchiefs to signal kinks and sexual preferences. Also known as flagging, hanky code emerged among American gay men in the 1970s as a way to cruise for sex without outing themselves to general public. The code began with a handful of colors signaling preferences such as topping and bottoming for anal sex, and has since expanded to include dozens of colors with a wide variety of meanings. A hanky worn in the back left pocket typically indicates a top (active partner), while the right pocket indicates a bottom (passive partner). Today, hanky code is used throughout queer community for both cruising and self-expression. This project covers four classic hanky colors: red for fisting, gray for bondage, black for SM, and yellow for watersports (a.k.a. piss).
Hanky Designs
I drew the designs in Procreate using the rotational symmetry tool, inspired by the radial symmetry of traditional bandana designs. In addition to more direct visual metaphors, each bandana incorporates plant imagery relevant to its color’s meaning.
Final Product
Finally, I screen printed the designs onto cotton bandanas. There are many ways to wear them!
Bonus Color
This is a color and design I added after this project’s initial launch: light pink for dildo play.
Book Design
Before I was a designer, I worked several jobs in sex education. First I was an abortion counselor, and later a sex educator and workshop teacher at a feminist sex toy shop in New York City. Drawing on this background, I created a risograph-printed book that serves as an accompanying educational resource to the hankies I designed. The book explains the history of hanky code, the meaning behind each of the featured colors, and information on how to safely practice each of the kinks covered in the project.
