Designing for a Cause

I've been lucky enough to continue creating promotional materials for one of my favorite public services; the Walla Walla Public Library! Just last month the WWPL launched a Big Idea Talks program lead by Richard Middleton-Kaplan, PhD, Dean of Arts & Sciences at the Walla Walla Community College. The ongoing program, Human Rights Through the Lens of Literature, explores plays, essays, poetry and film related to the theme of human rights. It's been a joy being able to create for such an impactful and reflective program. In this post, I point out some of the design steps that when into creating the promotion for this event.

While first approaching this project, I pulled my color pallet from the content that would be covered in Human Rights Through the Lens of History. All Quite on the Western Front, All My Sons, and Notre Combat were some of the few works of literature that would be explored. Naturally, these works contained some bleak content and my first drafts for this Big Idea Talks visually mirrored this dark theme. I primarily pulled the color scheme from Notre Combat (top right) - red, creme, and black - as I felt these colors were most impactful.

As you can see, the design became very somber. (top left) I used barbwire silhouettes as a symbol for the topic of war and segregation. Overlapping the barbed-wire over the book represented the attempted repression of human rights throughout history; human rights became an object that was barred.

Though the program is centered around these gloomy matters, a shift towards a more positive outlook was desired. Ultimately, a lighthearted approach which favored depictions of inclusion and diversity were sought after. I reworked the program announcements to include a range of colorful hands upon a bright background. (bellow)

 This promo has been so enjoyable to pull together! By the way, there are still three more meetings dates for this brilliant program! Drop by on the designated dates and expand your mind. 💖