Personal Tutor: The Quote

After creating the initial design I felt that it was a bit stagnant, I wanted to make the card more tactile and specific to what my client was offering. I had the idea to create a themed repeat pattern to be used on low opacity, that would better communicate the subject. I ask if this is something he would be interested in. Something to fill the red portion of his card.

Instead it was suggested to use a quote from the syllabus to fill the blank space. I was sent this quote to use and had the client write a small summary explaining their reasons, and concept behind the choice:

MERCRUTIO (cont.)
    Which once untangled, much misfortune bodes.
This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,
That presses them and learns them first to bear,
Making them women of good carriage.
This is she—

ROMEO
   Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!
Thou talk’st of nothing.

"The quote is taken from Romeo and Juliet, a set text in the GCSE syllabus. It is employed ironically for a number of reasons: Romeo and Juliet is typically a teenage boys’ worst nightmare; also, Romeo’s quote is “thou talkst of nothing” which is the sentiment of many students, male and female, when studying Shakespeare. For the parents this is handed to, they may see it as a sign of empathy and understanding but also a sign of humour, which is advantageous in the more informal setting of private tutoring."

Choosing a quote from Romeo and Juliet to be used on a what naturally, could be considered a 'masculine' personal identity design for a male client directly confronts the gender stereotypes that English and reading ‘is for girls'. I think this was interesting, and after trying to write this quotes out a few times, I asked if he would write it out in his own writing so I could use actually use his own handwriting, which would have been a personal touch.