Objective
The challenge was creating a poster that resonated with women and girls, offering a positive counter-narrative to harmful media portrayals. The design had to embrace all body types, ages, and ethnicities while being suitable for educational and public spaces, conveying a clear message of body acceptance.
The design also had to meet guidelines—digital submissions in PNG or PDF, include "2021 Love Your Body Campaign" and the NOW Foundation website, not exceed 9″ x 12″, and consist of original artwork.
Analyzing Competition
In my competitive analysis, I reviewed previous winners' work from the contest. I observed various approaches to celebrating body positivity and noted effective design strategies and common themes.
Key takeaways included the importance of inclusivity and the impact of vibrant, positive imagery. These insights informed my approach, helping me to craft a unique design that stood out while aligning with the campaign’s objectives.
Intended Audience
The poster was designed specifically for women and girls of all ages. It was intended to be displayed in schools, community centers, and other public spaces to promote body positivity.
The goal was to inspire women to embrace and celebrate their bodies while rejecting societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards.
Gathering Inspiration
To guide my design, I crafted a moodboard—a visual tool used to gather inspiration and set the tone for creative projects.
I selected pieces that highlighted body diversity and natural beauty, drawing from art history, as well as modern depictions of diverse body types and skin tones.
Exploring Concepts
I initiated the brainstorming phase with thumbnail sketches, which allowed me to rapidly explore a range of ideas.
The concept that emerged as the most promising involved creating abstract characters from watercolor splashes. This approach aimed to blend artistic expression with the campaign's message, creating a dynamic and engaging visual.
Creating Characters
The concept of "accidental characters" involved using watercolor splashes to form abstract representations of women. This method allowed for organic and spontaneous creation, resulting in unique and visually striking figures that conveyed a sense of natural beauty and individuality.
Developing the Design
During the transition from traditional sketches to digital design, I experimented with various arrangements of characters and typography.
Feedback from peers led me to opt for a more minimalist design approach, discarding many preliminary concepts in favor of a cleaner, more focused final presentation.
Refining Concepts
With the top three ideas selected, I concentrated on refining the composition and finalizing design elements. By combining the best aspects of each concept, I crafted a cohesive final poster that effectively captured the campaign’s essence and visual appeal.
Outcome
The poster celebrates diversity and empowerment through abstract watercolor depictions of women with varied body types, ages, and ethnicities. Soft, curvy typography and a color palette reflecting diverse skin tones reinforce the campaign’s inclusive message of self-love and acceptance.
This design, embodying the “Love Your Body” campaign, earned me first place in the Undergraduate Student category, validating the impact of my approach.