Daria: Alter Egos Project

 An assignment that's all my own!!! Or maybe not, I doubt I'm the first or the last art teacher to assign something similar to this.

In Unit 3 for my ART II students, we go over Human Form; specifically how it can be used to tell a story (see the POP-ART Self Portrait here). In this assignment, scholars will draw themselves as an "alter ego" a la Daria end credits.

First: What even is Daria? For those who didn't watch MTV in the late 90s, Daria was an MTV show that ran from 1997-2002 that focused on the life of teenage cynicist Daria and her jaded point of view on contemporary high school life. A real millennial show if there ever was one. Daria, herself, was originally a side character on the original Beavis and Butthead, created by Mike Judd...aka, the creator of King of the Hill. He didn't personally work on the Daria spinoff, just gave his approval for it to go into production.

 

During Daria's end credits, “alter egos” of the cast can be seen in funny, interesting situations; often referencing popular culture, classical literature, or mythology. While some of the “alter egos” are representative of that character’s personality, some are just hypotheticals or for fun/aesthetics (for example: Daria would never be caught dead in a Cinderella dress OR doing sports/physical activity on this scale).

 

The full list of Alter Egos can be seen on this Wiki. Depending on the age range of your students, be careful about what Alter Egos to show/explain. While Daria is PG-13, it's PG-13 in the late 90s. Which is a very different PG-13 from today in 2025. Some are a great way to teach a little history (Daria as Sinéad O'Connor, for example), but others will get the pearl-clutchers in a tizzy (such as the "Drag Queen Trent" or even "Barbarella Daria").

Depending on the language level of your students, you might need to explain to them what an alter ego is. In my lesson, I typed:

A secondary or alternative (alter)  personality. Usually common among performers (Eminem = Slim Shady, David Bowie = Ziggy Stardust, Kayleigh Rose Amstutz = Chapel Roan)

You're free to use this explanation, and even change/expand on it!

I tell the kids to have their “alter ego” say something about them. Ironically, genuinely, partially, subtly, or otherwise.   An occupation, a silly daydream, a reference to media they like…go nuts. 

I also include plenty of examples of the characters as they're normally depicted in the show alongside my favorite Alter Egos of them (with a descriptive caption!):

Sinéad O'Connor Daria!!! Or Shuhada' Sadaqat Daria, as the Wiki labels her. One of the more in-character Alter Egos for her. I also included ones further from her personality for variety (60's Mod Girl's outfit is featured on the show, though only as a display and never on Daria).

 

 

I also make sure to include the weirder/out there Alter Egos. So that kids know that it's not JUST an outfit change/cosplay/costume. There's a few painter references throughout the series (Frida Kahlo above, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso down below), so you could even specify to have the kids draw themselves as a particular artist or in their style!

 

 

 

Chihuahua Quinn technically isn't really "human form", but it tells a story and is so funny, I gotta include it. The Hello Kitty Quinn is because Sanrio is featured a lot on my Bell Work and worksheets.

 

 

 

The first step is to have students "bullet list" at least 7 alter ego ideas. Tell them to be silly, reference stuff they like, look to history for inspiration. They'll pick 2-3 that they like best (they can ask classmates/friends/tablemates for advice), then draft thumbnail sketches--make sure they play with ideas and executions!!

When it's time to render their finals (my kids are going to do 3 in total),  they'll check in with me and let me know their final selection/decision. Depending on what they pick, an Alter Ego can take up all or half a page, but no less than half a page (our sketchbooks are 7x10 inches). Make sure they don't draw on the back of any notes or drawings they want to keep/keep pristine. 

My sketchy examples made to demonstrate to the students what I mean by "alter ego".

 

Add COLOR and line with black marker or colored pencil. Fill background fully with one color. Add detail if needed. 

 

Sign and date on front, Name and period # on back. Title your piece with your alter ego and your name in front in quotation marks Ex: “Doja Cat Samantha”, “Super Model Tim”, “Arctic Fox Hannah”, “Akatsuki Leo”, etc. 

Here's some student work from this project...Not bad!!!

These were the salvageable ones (as well as the ones that kids left behind/didn't take with them). Stay tuned for this semester's crop...