Task 1 & 2 (draft)

When looking at historical examples of design for change, I found myself naturally drawn to bold, graphic posters that combine strong typography with simple but striking imagery.

I’ve always been interested in vintage packaging and post-war illustration styles (Like the matchbox design I have included on the right) I wanted to reflect that personal preference within my research.

Instead of focusing purely on minimal or text-based references, I have chosen examples that use colour, hierarchy and clear visual symbols to influence behaviour and also appeal to my personal taste.

One of the strongest examples of post war design for change is the British “Dig for Victory” campaign. Created during World War II, these posters encouraged people to grow their own food in gardens and allotments to support the war effort and cope with rationing. What stands out to me visually is the bold simplicity.
The message is direct and commanding, but the imagery softens it by showing thriving vegetables, open land or active figures gardening which makes it feel personal.
In Dig for Victory, the combination of image and type works clearly and efficiently. The headline does the instructing, while the image reinforces the outcome. (something I want to re create in our group task) I really enjoy how there is very little visual clutter, which makes the message instantly readable from a distance.
This design choice also reflects the purpose of design during that period, a need to communicate quickly and clearly to a wide audience.
Choice of colour aligns with these messages, greens, yellow and red symbolise growth, optimism and urgency. Alongside the characters themselves who appear purposeful but happy, with upright posture and hopeful smiling expressions that convey resilience rather than fear. By presenting gardening as an empowering and collective act, the posters inspire action through pride and unity, encouraging citisens to feel capable and involved rather than anxious or pressured.

Overall, “Dig for Victory” demonstrates how combining clear typography with symbolic imagery can encourage large scale behavioural change. It shows that design does not need to be complex to be powerful. Sometimes Clarity, confidence and visual strength are enough to inclusively inspire.

A strong contemporary example of design for change is The Body Shop’s “Forever Against Animal Testing” campaign, it aims to secure a global ban on cosmetic animal testing. What makes it particularly effective is its clear and consistent visual identity. Bold typography, high contrast colour palettes and easily recognisable cruelty free symbols make the message immediately accessible across posters, social media graphics and in store materials.
Visually, the design is clean and direct. The slogan “Forever Against Animal Testing” is presented in strong, capitalised lettering, ensuring it is unmistakable. Rather than overwhelming audiences with graphic imagery, the campaign prioritises clarity and empowerment.

This campaign stands out against similar ilk, as the Animals remain the key focus but the imagery is non-confrontational. A contrast when compared to other anti-animal testing campaigns that rely on shock tactics to provoke guilt and outrage to trigger change.
This makes the campaign suitable for a wide public audience, By choosing an approachable tone, the design invites reflection rather than defensiveness. This is a key theme that I have always wanted to consider in all my work as a designer, education rather then accusation.

I also really enjoy how the simplicity of layout ensures that the message remains at the forefront. Minimal visual clutter and strong hierarchy allow the slogan to be understood instantly, making the campaign highly adaptable across both digital and print platforms.

Accessibility is key to its and campaigns success and this achieves clear visual, inclusive language and the straightforward messaging avoids complex statistics or industry jargon.
As a result, the CTA feels achievable to rather than overwhelming. I think the campaign inspires audiences to feel capable of contributing to change.