Designing Period Shame: Period Product Advertising in Australian Women's Magazines

Abstract Graphic design, while a force for positive change, has played a role in perpetuating harmful societal norms. This article focuses on the design of period product advertising in Australian women's magazines, examining a century of advertising (1920–2020) to uncover visual patterns in messaging that have contributed to societal prejudices against menstruation. Three distinct themes were identified: describing periods as a disorder, coding the taboo, and keeping a secret. This research sheds light on the effect that graphic design and representation has on society and emphasizes the need for responsible graphic design practices in shaping a more inclusive and empathetic visual culture.