Design Process and Development of "You Matter" Campaign

Savannah Bates

Suicide is a serious topic that makes a lot of people uncomfortable even to acknowledge, but it’s a problem that will only get better once addressed. Projects such as World Suicide Prevention Day and organizations such as the Trevor Project have helped show individuals that their life is significant and to provide them with the resources they might need to fight for their tomorrows. As a graphic designer, I hope to contribute to this lifesaving work. This poster details an original design for a suicide-awareness campaign and the process used to create it. My goal was to address the severity of suicide and remind people that they matter and help is available. Through months of research and rounds of prototyping, I was able to design and produce a concept that approaches the topic in a passive but memorable manner. The process of Design Thinking involves brainstorming and critiques to ensure the final product is truly human-centered design. My brochure and sticker combo seeks to create an interactive experience that is full of useful facts. The design offers incentive to keep the brochure rather than burying it in a drawer. To reinforce the message, a sticker included in the intricately folded flyer allows recipients to place an affirmation wherever they need the reminder. In this poster presentation, I will share my design and ways in which it is crafted for maximum impact.

• Savannah Bates is a senior graphic design major at Lander University who is a member of the Honors College. She wishes to pursue branding design or publication design after graduating in May of 2022.