Gossip

Tarot

Illustration of a person in a blue jacket and orange shirt raising their fist, with a background of red and yellow lines.
A cartoon illustration of a smiling sun with closed eyes and a gentle expression, surrounded by blue clouds.
Illustration of a human heart held between two stylized hands, one above and one below, with a gradient background.

An informational guide in the form of a tarot deck, helping young people “gossip ethically.” A product designed and illustrated through human-centric solution finding.

RESEARCHER

ILLUSTRATOR

PRODUCT DESIGNER

Everyone does it

But does everyone do it well?

Yellow background with black text stating that 70% of people felt harmed by gossip at some point between ages 14 and 24, highlighting the impact of gossip on young people.

Over 75 people surveyed

Surveys

Interviews

Workshops

The Solution?

A teen-targeted card deck for ethical gossiping.

Real Advice from Real Gossipers. No talking down. No BS.

ELEMENTS

Illustration of a woman with long hair, wearing sunglasses that have star-shaped reflections, and smoking a vape with cloud vapor around her head.
Silhouette of a tall castle tower against a colorful, abstract background with red and pink hues and yellow lightning strikes.
Abstract illustration of a hand reaching toward an eye with a triangle emitting rays above, all set against a cosmic background with stars.
Close-up illustration of a person wearing an orange hoodie and blue pants, resting their arm on their knee, with pastel and textured background.

two-sentEnce gossip Advice gathered from community insights

A beige background with a motivational quote in dark blue text about honesty and privacy in relationships.

"

"

A quote about cultural differences and social norms on a beige background in blue text.

  • To develop Gossip Tarot, I conducted community research using participatory workshops, surveys, and ethnographic observation. In the workshops, players co-created narratives based on tarot cards, experimenting with different formats and prompts. These sessions revealed how people naturally gravitated toward playful, improvised storytelling, and how the structure of the tarot helped spark creative gossip. The collaborative setting encouraged spontaneity and humor, which shaped the tone and mechanics of the game.

    Surveys helped me gather a broader range of feedback on what made the game enjoyable or confusing, while ethnographic observation—watching groups play in informal settings—highlighted subtle dynamics, like how people built off each other’s stories or responded to specific cards. Together, these methods provided a well-rounded understanding of how Gossip Tarot functioned as a social experience, and informed the development of a version that is both intuitive and engaging across different groups.

Quote about gossip and constructive conversation on a beige background.
Quote about trusting instincts and speaking up in uncomfortable situations, emphasizing that true friends will respect it.

The CardS

A person holding a clothes hanger with a hat on top and two hands holding the hanger, set against a sunset or sunrise background with sparkles and a large yellow circle.
Illustration of a person with a red devil mask or face, wearing a dark suit, with a caption that reads: 'The Devil.' The background is light beige with a textured pinkish area and the caption at the bottom states: 'It's okay to end the cycle of harmful gossip. Sometimes, it means ending a friendship with someone who is doing it maliciously.'
A card game called 'Gossip with Tarot' with illustrated tarot cards, including 'The Tower' and 'The Hanged Man', on a white surface.
A tarot card titled "The High Priestess" showing an abstract illustration of a woman in a blue robe, with a hand reaching toward an eye, surrounded by stars, with a red and yellow triangle symbol above her head and a dark, starry background.
Illustration of an Egyptian hierophant wearing traditional robes, with a glowing halo behind their head, holding a staff, and making a gesture with their hand, accompanied by a message about seeking guidance in unfair or hurtful situations.
Illustration of a chariot drawn by two winged horses, flying through the sky, with a banner at the top that says "The Chariot" and a humorous message about gossip.
A collection of tarot cards with illustrations and descriptions, including The Empress, The High Priestess, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Chariot, The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune, Temperance, The Sun, The Moon, The Hanged Man, The World, The Devil, The Lovers, The Magician, The Fool, Death, The Star, Strength, Judgement, The Tower, and Justice.
A card titled "The Magician" featuring an illustration of a magician's top hat with a rabbit emerging, surrounded by glowing yellow sparkles. The card has a mystical theme, with a quote about rumors and believing information.
Gossip Tarot card guide with illustrations of a peaceful sun character and a person dressed as a tarot card reader, on a beige background.

LET’S  PLAY

Set of tarot cards themed around gossip and relationships, with cards titled The Moon, The Hermit, and The Lovers, along with a gossip guide and a gossip tarot box.

One player draws 3 tarot cards face-up and lays them out left to right.

These represent:

  1. The Setup / Backstory

  2. The Drama

  3. The Consequences / Fallout

Interpret your cards to your own situation, and use it to guide the way you handle your next gossip encounter.

OR

Discuss the cards with your friends, and exchange stories where you encountered the gossip lesson yourselves.