Snapshot: A Design for Good Initiative
The University of Arkansas' Office for Diversity and Inclusion reached out to our Design for Good class, seeking our assistance in raising awareness about diversity and inclusion (D&I) on campus. Their ambitious goal was to achieve 100% awareness not only on campus but potentially beyond. As we embarked on this project, each of us took a unique approach, targeting specific audiences and mindsets within these audiences.
The University of Arkansas' Office for Diversity and Inclusion reached out to our Design for Good class, seeking our assistance in raising awareness about diversity and inclusion (D&I) on campus. Their ambitious goal was to achieve 100% awareness not only on campus but potentially beyond. As we embarked on this project, each of us took a unique approach, targeting specific audiences and mindsets within these audiences.
Embarking on the Journey
My journey began by asking a crucial question: "How can we empower faculty and staff to actively engage with and share D&I resources?" I crafted a campaign strategy that revolved around creating multiple touchpoints for faculty and staff to access focused information. This approach included utilizing testimonials on social media, establishing a dedicated web page, distributing printed flyers directly to faculty and staff mailboxes, and crafting a visually appealing and succinct newsletter. To delve deeper into the research and our path leading up to this design, you can visit here or skip ahead to view my final design pitch presented to the Office of D&I.
My journey began by asking a crucial question: "How can we empower faculty and staff to actively engage with and share D&I resources?" I crafted a campaign strategy that revolved around creating multiple touchpoints for faculty and staff to access focused information. This approach included utilizing testimonials on social media, establishing a dedicated web page, distributing printed flyers directly to faculty and staff mailboxes, and crafting a visually appealing and succinct newsletter. To delve deeper into the research and our path leading up to this design, you can visit here or skip ahead to view my final design pitch presented to the Office of D&I.
Designing with a Purpose
In developing this approach, I aimed to infuse it with vibrancy and playfulness. While acknowledging the multi-faceted nature of diversity and inclusion, I sought to convey this complexity through a diverse color palette, engaging textures, and captivating shapes. I wanted our materials to stand out, to be different and enjoyable to explore. I envisioned content that would halt individuals in their tracks, inviting them to delve in with excitement.
In developing this approach, I aimed to infuse it with vibrancy and playfulness. While acknowledging the multi-faceted nature of diversity and inclusion, I sought to convey this complexity through a diverse color palette, engaging textures, and captivating shapes. I wanted our materials to stand out, to be different and enjoyable to explore. I envisioned content that would halt individuals in their tracks, inviting them to delve in with excitement.
Translating Design into Language
Crucially, the welcoming and inviting design had to be complemented by clear and concise language. The content needed to avoid overwhelming our audience with excessive information or employing corporate or business-like jargon. The message needed to be direct, relatable, and easily digestible.
Crucially, the welcoming and inviting design had to be complemented by clear and concise language. The content needed to avoid overwhelming our audience with excessive information or employing corporate or business-like jargon. The message needed to be direct, relatable, and easily digestible.
Creating Meaningful Connections
Offering faculty and staff various touch-points to access resources, coupled with the energetic and inviting design, would ensure a lasting presence in their minds. The aim was to make the initiative something they genuinely wanted to be a part of, while also providing numerous opportunities for them to engage with and share the valuable resources at their disposal.
Offering faculty and staff various touch-points to access resources, coupled with the energetic and inviting design, would ensure a lasting presence in their minds. The aim was to make the initiative something they genuinely wanted to be a part of, while also providing numerous opportunities for them to engage with and share the valuable resources at their disposal.