Zuska – A feminist card game adressing criminal sex work
Communication Design Project by:
Silvia Milcic, Sena Nur Kenç, Ketlin Hila
Advisors Concept & Prototyping:
Prof. Henrik Rieß, Felix Müller, M.A.,
Advisors Graphic Design
Anc Ciechanowicz, M.A., Illia Boyko, B.A.
Research Question:
How can an adult card game provoke critical reflection on gendered power structures and the exploitation of women?
'ZUSKA' is a feminist card game based on the theme of prostitution. The project's aim is to invite players to engage critically and reflect on power structures, stigma surrounding sex workers and the exploitation of women.
The game incorporates impostors, role-playing and bluffing. Underneath the surface, the game addresses organized sex work and crimes that are frequently blamed solely on the women whereas the men involved – who not only take advantage of these services but also exploit these young women – remain untouched due to their high statuses.
Special ID cards that serve as impostor cards secretly contain embedded real life stories of people involved in these crimes. Each ID is connected via an NFC tag to a YouTube video which gives further information about the culprit and the case.
The overall tone of the game is at times satirical and subtle, reflecting the absurdity of the issue itself.
'ZUSKA' will exhibited at Berlin Design Week 2026.
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Contact:
Prof. Henrik Rieß
Interaction Design and Visual Communication
Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences
Salzufer 6, 10587 Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 30 81 05 80 80
E-Mail: riess[🎈]berlin-international.de
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