Education

Naloxone — Carry It Campaign by Gravity inc. in Toronto, Canada

Judge’s Pick

This campaign is smart, clear and humane. In trying to inform the public, it also seeks to reduce fear and stigma about drug use by normalizing the care of those who overdose as a public concern. De-mystifying the process seems like an important step toward providing the kind of immediate care people need in moment of crisis. The proof, of course, will be seen in implementation. Will the campaign demonstrate meaningful social impact? In recognizing the work today, it’s important that we also check in with the design team a year from now to hear whether real social impact

Canadian Mental Health Association commissioned Gravity Inc. to design their “Carry It” Naloxone awareness campaign. The goal was to raise awareness about Naloxone while breaking down the stigma of substance use and overdose that prevents administrators and students from carrying the medication. We enabled Cmha to extend their reach across the academic market with genuine, relatable messaging and graphics such as posters, digital shareables, wallet cards, factsheets, web banners and animated GIFs. The comprehensive toolkit we developed was appealing, widely accepted, and illustrated that “this applies to me and my campus” and encouraged students to “Carry It”.

Perlan Museum of Natural Wonders Exhibit by Lord Cultural Resources in Toronto, Canada

Judge’s Pick

For the design of this exhibit, intended to ease the demands travelers place on Iceland’s natural attractions, Lord Cultural Resources incorporated science-driven ecology and memorable, emotional impact. The exhibit provides visceral experiences like entering an ice cave, seeing a puffin swoop from an inaccessible cliff face to scoop up food from the chilly waters and the dramatic eruption of a volcano on a geothermal fault. Since opening, the Perlan Museum has become a preeminent Reykjavík destination for visitors to the country. The team did a wonderful job of building self-reflection and empathy into educating the public about the effect of humans on the planet, specifically in the unique ecological environment of Iceland. The tactile nature of the Museum allows visitors to learn about and become immersed in a new world without leaving a footprint. It is a great example of how environmental design can engage, entertain and educate.

—Deborah Clague

For the design of this exhibit, intended to ease the demands travelers place on Iceland’s natural attractions, Lord Cultural Resources incorporated science-driven ecology and memorable, emotional impact. The exhibit provides visceral experiences like entering an ice cave, seeing a puffin swoop from an inaccessible cliff face to scoop up food from the chilly waters and the dramatic eruption of a volcano on a geothermal fault. Since opening, the Perlan Museum has become a preeminent Reykjavík destination for visitors to the country.

Sri Lanka Design Practice (SDP) by Academy Of Design Visual Communications Dept. in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Judge’s Pick

So often, a designer or team of designers’ steps into a project with another culture and takes the attitude: “we know better and will solve your problems.” This colonial approach leads to work that treats a culture like a zoo animal, “look at how interesting this culture is...” This project avoids this by integrating humans, cultural narratives, aesthetic forms and beliefs. The aim of the project is lofty, critical and, as shown here, possible. The work is smart and beautiful, celebratory and inviting. Bravo!

—Sean Adams

This project is intended to preserve locally-cultivated design approaches and maintain the quality of work produced in Sri Lanka. During the semester break, first year students are taken on field trips across Sri Lanka to introduce them to local artisans, crafting villages and manufacturing facilities. The students then produce a final project with print and a motion graphic using the documented material. SDP’s first group project, a set of six postcards using the photos taken during the field trips, collated into a sleeve that introduces the region and the craft, was produced in 2017. The project has been displayed at various AOD events, student work exhibitions, in students’ portfolios and is pending publication.

Consent Campaign by Desalu Creative in Toronto, Canada

Judge’s Pick

Smart, powerful, provocative. This campaign is asking to change the language of consent in a way that feels affirming and deeply human. It starts with a simple question and then offers the simple truth: affirmative consent is always the answer. I look forward to hearing from the design team if this campaign changes social dynamics on campus and beyond.

— Jennifer Rittner

The goal of this campaign was to reach every student for the Fall 2019 school year and provide multiple entryways into what consent looks like. Desalu developed graphic design, branding, promotional posters, postcards, buttons, social media assets and customized stock illustrations with an inclusive diverse image set, using an eye-catching and bold gradient color palette. The campaign was well received among the students and the board and the creative was incorporated in the University’s Annual Report.

Arrêtons De Tourner En Rond Workshop & Exhibition by École Multidisciplinaire De l’image, Université du Québec en outaouais in Gatineau, Canada

Arrêtons de tourner en rond or ‘Let’s stop going around in circles’ is a design residency workshop and exhibition by École multidisciplinaire de l’image (ÉMI)/UQO, that integrates social design with art practice in elementary schools. It offers teachers, student graphic designers and visitors an opportunity to participate in real projects that are socially and culturally innovative. The workshop served as a platform for free expression allowing genuine social, political and environmental dialogue about a tornado that destroyed the Outaouais region in September 2018. The photographs, texts, quotes, drawings and experimentations documented from the workshops were exhibited at L’Imagier, an exhibition centre in Gatineau, in September 2019. The project was widely captured by the media, empowering the community, the children, the teachers and the schools involved in the project.

Masculinity Is A Prison (MIAP) by Derrick Oduro in Brampton, Canada

This campaign focuses on young adult men of color who face difficulties in the areas of mental health and wellness. Central to the campaign is a video, where a group of participants share their experiences and perspectives about well-being. An interactive installation ‘Pick Your Poison’ invites visitors to learn about mental illnesses. A more in-depth handbook acts as a call-to-action. Posters, cards and other merchandise were also designed as a part of the campaign. The campaign now has an Instagram handle with the hashtag #ImprisonNoMore. 

University Affairs Magazine, November 2019 by Underline Studio in Ottawa/Toronto, Canada

This bilingual magazine and website provide news, commentary and career advice for those working in higher education in Canada. The November 2019 Issue was designed in-house with art direction from Underline Studio. The cover story on climate crisis features photos from the Drowning World project by award-winning photographer Gideon Mendel. The issue also includes an important exposé on cyberbullying. The most-read story, on diversity in student affairs with illustrations by Daiana Ruiz, garnered 4,820 pageviews and had an average time on page of 2:51 minutes.