Two Conestoga graduates are behind a design project that earned Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) an In-House Design Award from the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD). Carmen Fasan and Justine Voll were recognized as the creative team that produced a campaign to educate students on the importance of consent.
CSI’s ‘Don’t Assume Yes’ Consent Awareness Poster Series, produced by Conestoga graduates, received an In-House Design Award from RGD in October.
The ‘Don’t Assume Yes’ Consent Awareness Poster Series was honoured with an Award of Distinction in October from RGD’s biannual program acknowledging work by ever-growing creative teams that collaborate as internal agencies in Canada and around the world. Fasan and Voll’s work was among the more than 300 submissions from in-house designers and one of just 51 projects honoured.
Fasan, a 2016 graduate of Conestoga’s Graphic Design program, designed and illustrated the poster series developed by CSI, the college’s official student association. The intent is to get students thinking about what it means to practice consent with their partners.
The design uses illustrations to portray clear scenarios in a muted colour palette with pops of bright green to highlight the key message. Special care was taken with the use of language for the posters to best explain the narratives being depicted, which represent a diverse range of gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
“We did a lot of research around how to appropriately communicate this topic,” said Fasan, who works for CSI as a graphic designer. “Finding appropriate photographs or other imagery to support our by-lines proved to be a challenge, so we decided to illustrate our own assets to best relay the intended message.”
The campaign, set to run across Conestoga campuses, will support a college-wide effort in coordination with other college service areas to raise awareness of sexual violence and promote healthy and respectful relationships.
“The clever and clear messaging supported with the flat illustrative style really drives the point home,” said Ian Scott, who sat on the judging panel. “It’s clear that a lot of thought went into this piece, not only in what creative direction to take but also in what language to use.” Scott added that the clean design as well as clear and concise language work together to communicate the message quickly and efficiently, allowing for quick consumption and retention.
“I am honoured that the RGD judges awarded the ‘Don’t Assume Yes’ Consent Awareness Poster Series with an Award of Distinction,” said Fasan, “and I am grateful for the incredible education I received from such dedicated and talented staff in the Graphic Design advanced diploma program. It’s an immersive program that teaches a wide variety of skills and gave me the opportunity to explore my passion for illustration.”
Voll, credited as copywriter on the project, graduated in 2014 from Conestoga’s Public Relations program.
A full list of In-House Design Award winners is available through RGD.
RGD sets professional standards for more than 4,200 registered Canadian design practitioners including firm owners, freelancers, managers, educators and students. Those permitted to use the RGD designation have met industry standards that include specific levels of education and experience.
Conestoga’s three-year Graphic Design advanced diploma program is recognized as one of the top design programs in the province. It employs a project-based learning approach that addresses design, digital content creation, communication, inter-personal, mechanical, technical and enhanced employability skills.