Finalist 2024

Rural Women Online

Your Creative / Victorian Victorian Women’s Trust

A regional campaign to empower women through vibrant, inclusive comms design, encouraging community participation and individual upskilling.

The ”Rural Women” project marks the second phase of ’Rural Women Online,’ extending its reach by taking digital skills training on the road.
The campaign included a vibrant and inclusive brand identity designed to engage and empower women in rural communities through a comprehensive communication strategy. The campaign featured a photoshoot including a group of diverse women across regional Victoria to redefine what ’women using tech’ looks like. It included a digital platform, event marketing, and activation materials, aiming to connect and empower women through digital skills, fostering a sense of community and support among regional women.

Design Brief:

The ”Rural Women” project aimed to expand the initial success of ’Rural Women Online’ by creating an engaging and inclusive communication campaign to bring digital skills to rural communities.
The problem we were asked to solve was the digital divide experienced by women in rural areas, who often lack access to digital literacy and resources. The intended outcome was to create a vibrant and empowering campaign that would enhance digital skills and build a supportive community network among participants. The project required a cohesive brand identity, a digital platform for event information and resources, and a comprehensive event marketing strategy to promote regional activations. By showcasing women from various backgrounds through a multicultural photoshoot, the campaign aimed to redefine the image of ’women using tech’ and ensure that all women felt represented and empowered.


This project was developed by:

  • Your Creative / Victorian Victorian Women’s Trust

Design Process

The design process for the ”Rural Women” project began with an in-depth discovery phase to understand the unique needs and challenges of women in rural communities. This involved extensive research, including interviews and surveys with potential participants, to gather insights on their experiences and expectations. Based on this research, we developed a vibrant and inclusive brand identity that would appeal to a wide audience and convey a sense of fun and empowerment. Next, we moved to the concept development stage, where we created visual elements and campaign strategies that reflected the project’s goals. A key component of this stage was organiszing a multicultural photoshoot across regional Victoria. This was designed to showcase women from various cultural backgrounds engaging with technology, redefining what ’women using tech’ looks like. These photoshoots captured authentic scenes of diverse women participating in digital activities, ensuring that future audiences could see themselves represented in the campaign.

The implementation phase involved the creation of a digital platform that served as a central hub for event information, resources, and ongoing support. This platform was designed to be user-friendly and accessible, with a vibrant aesthetic that reflected the campaign’s brand identity. Event marketing materials, including posters, social media graphics, banners, and activation kits, were developed to promote the regional events and ensure a consistent visual identity across all touchpoints.

Throughout the process, we engaged with local communities to build trust and encourage participation. Feedback was continuously gathered and incorporated to refine the campaign and ensure it met the needs of the participants.
The final design exceeded the brief by creating a cohesive and engaging communication campaign that not only provided digital skills training but also fostered a lasting sense of community and support among rural women.

Design Excellence

The ”Rural Women” project exemplifies design excellence by addressing key criteria such as functionality, accessibility, aesthetics, safety, quality, and sustainability. The campaign’s vibrant and inclusive brand identity was carefully crafted to evoke positive emotional responses and create a strong connection with the audience. The visual design was not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally effective, making information easily accessible and engaging for all participants.

Accessibility was a core consideration in the design process. All materials were designed to be inclusive, with clear, easy-to-read text and visually appealing graphics that catered to a wide range of literacy levels and cultural backgrounds. The use of vibrant colors and dynamic imagery ensured that the campaign was visually engaging and memorable.
The quality of the design was evident in the professional execution of all campaign elements, from the initial concepts to the final materials. The design team worked meticulously to ensure that every aspect of the campaign was polished and effective, resulting in a cohesive and impactful brand identity.

The engagement strategy was central to the design solution. By creating a user-friendly digital platform and visually appealing event marketing materials, the campaign encouraged participation and fostered a sense of community among attendees. This holistic approach ensured that the campaign was not only educational but also enjoyable and empowering.

The campaign’s success in engaging and empowering rural women highlights the importance of thoughtful, inclusive design in achieving positive social outcomes. By bridging the digital divide and fostering a supportive community, the project showcases how design can drive meaningful change and enhance the quality of life for people in rural areas.

Design Innovation

The ”Rural Women” project introduced several innovative elements that addressed the unique challenges faced by women in rural communities. One of the key innovations was the creation of a vibrant and inclusive digital platform that served as a central hub for event information, resources, and ongoing support. This platform was designed to be user-friendly and accessible, with a vibrant aesthetic that reflected the campaign’s brand identity.

The use of a Bringing together a diverse group of women in regional Victoria for the core photoshoot was another groundbreaking feature. By showcasing women from various backgrounds and communities, the campaign celebrated diversity and promoted inclusivity. This not only enhanced the visual appeal of the campaign but also ensured that all women felt represented and valued. The imagery captured authentic scenes of women engaging with technology, redefining what ’women using tech’ looks like and providing relatable role models for future audiences.

The integration of comprehensive event marketing and activation materials was also innovative. Posters, social media graphics, banners, and activation kits were developed to promote the regional events and ensure a consistent visual identity across all touchpoints. This approach not only made the campaign more cohesive but also enhanced its reach and impact.

Furthermore, the campaign leveraged social media and digital platforms to extend its reach and impact. By creating shareable content and encouraging online engagement, the project fostered a sense of community beyond the physical events. This digital extension allowed for continuous learning and support, ensuring that the benefits of the campaign were sustained over time.

The design process itself was user-centered, with continuous feedback loops to refine and improve the campaign. This iterative approach ensured that the final design was closely aligned with the needs and preferences of the participants, making it more effective and impactful.

Design Impact

Working with the Victoria Women’s Trust and Wise Well Women (Women’s Health Goulburn North East), and an all-female design team at Your Creative, the project effectively understood and addressed what women want. This collaboration empowered local women by visually celebrating their unique stories and contributions, fostering a sense of pride and community cohesion. The design process baked diversity into both the process and the output, ensuring that the voices and experiences of all women were represented.

The project successfully reached women in regional areas through both online platforms and physical locations where they felt comfortable, such as libraries, local billboards, and local newspapers. This approach ensured broad accessibility and engagement, driving unprecedented participation and community involvement.

The project shows the transformative power of life-centric communication design through a feminist lens. By leading with authentic, best-practice communication design in regional areas, the project not only reached but celebrated women from diverse backgrounds.
Adhering to Circular Economy principles, the project minimised its environmental footprint by utilising sustainable materials and processes in its communication design. Digital platforms and eco-friendly printing practices were employed to reduce environmental impact.

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