Acnedotes : anecdotes about acne as an antidote

Abstract

The idiomatic phrase, “comfortable in one’s own skin” means to achieve a display of self-esteem, otherwise at ease with oneself, be it physically or mentally, specifically when interacting with other individuals. In today’s society, where people celebrate the act of self-confidence, the process it takes to get to such a perspective is often overlooked. And while there are those who claim to be comfortable in their own skin, the question of whether one is truly at ease comes to mind. Acnedotes: Anecdotes About Acne as an Antidote seeks to peel the ‘comfort’ in the original phrase to reveal the discomfort or rather the hidden stage before the point of satisfaction. The discomfort will be manifested by the means of acne vulgaris —literally taking the ‘skin’ within the saying into play. Similar to how discomfort is overlooked, acne is often considered as a normal stage people go through at some point in their lives, thus regarded as a minor issue. Yet its influence on their quality of life and body image is prevalent to this day. As a form of discursive design, this project aims to resonate to the people who are, at some levels, uncomfortable with their skin. In fact, the name Acnedotes is a wordplay on both anecdote and antidote: serving as a collection of personal stories and experiences about acne, which may in turn be a remedy for not only themselves but also for others in the community. By fostering commentary about acne and its effects on people’s daily lives leads to a familiarity as well as a sense of belonging. Even for those who have not experienced the discomfort with acne will gain insight or better understand how it feels to be at this stage.