Det man ikke ser — Sunflower Lanyard & Stigma

2nd semester project · Critical & speculative design · Disability & stigma

The sunflower lanyard is designed to discreetly signal hidden disabilities. While intended to support understanding, it also exposes wearers to interpretation, staring, role expectations and stigma. This project explores how the symbol is read in public space — and how visibility can feel both protective and exposing.

Critical design Speculative design Research-through-design Stigma & disability Qualitative analysis

Context

The sunflower lanyard has become widely recognised as a way to signal invisible disability. However, it does not simply “explain” a condition — it also frames how others are allowed to look, judge and react. Many wearers describe both relief and discomfort: support in some situations, social exposure in others.

Our project investigates how meaning is produced around the lanyard: what people assume, how they react and how the symbol reshapes everyday situations in subtle, emotional and embodied ways.

Research focus

Instead of evaluating the lanyard as a “solution”, the project asks:

How does the sunflower symbol shape visibility and identity?
When does it support care — and when does it invite judgement?
Who has the power to look, interpret and define others?

The work draws on disability studies, stigma theory (incl. Goffman) and critical design to explore social dynamics rather than fix them.

My role – Technical & analytical lead

I was responsible for the technical and analytical backbone of the project:

Designing and structuring the research-through-design process.
Developing digital and physical experiment setups.
Collecting data from public interactions and participant responses.
Performing qualitative coding and thematic analysis.
Connecting empirical findings to theory and design implications.

Design experiments

1️⃣ Perception & assumption testing

Early experiments explored how people interpret images of sunflower lanyard wearers — revealing assumptions, stereotypes and emotional expectations.

2️⃣ Public & semi-public interventions

Later prototypes acted as “social mirrors”: artefacts that reflected staring, discomfort and judgement back onto observers, making power relations more visible.

Outcome

The project does not propose a “better” symbol — instead it provides a nuanced understanding of how the sunflower lanyard produces both safety and exposure.

Visibility can empower and stigmatise at the same time.
The lanyard invites expectations about behaviour and legitimacy.
Critical design can open conversations that everyday life normally hides.

Key learnings

Design can be a powerful research method when dealing with vulnerability, identity and social norms.
Symbols meant to help can also discipline and categorise people.
Ethical sensitivity is essential when working with disability contexts.