a 1920s-style illustration of two brains walking together with the wording 'everyone feels lonely sometimes'
Normalising emotions that can feel isolating and alientating is an important part of the campaign.
What does it mean to have a healthy mind? one
Over the past few years, we’ve been seeing more and more productive conversations surrounding mental health and wellbeing. However, despite the progress, many still feel ashamed of their relationship to their mental health and have yet to engage seriously in the resources and help available.
What does it mean to have a healthy mind? two
This can lead to large numbers of young people viewing mental health as something only relevant to other people — those who are clinically diagnosed with specific illnesses or who are manifesting mental health problems in specific ways.
an illustration of two anthropomorphic lightbulbs with the heading 'in need of some bright ideas?'
Worries about studying and exams cause a lot of stress — academic support is one part of this holistic approach to mental wellbeing.
a roundel that reads 'feeling gloomy?' a poster of an angry illustrated cloud and a happy sun, with the wording 'how are you feeling?'
The campaign helps point students to wellbeing services as well as encouraging good mental health practices.
How are you protecting your brain?
an illustration of a sad brain with the wording '2020 was a lot'
Different visual metaphors describe the varied ways students may be feeling — and how they can help themselves feel better.
an illustration of a sad candle with the heading 'feeling burnt out?'
The campaign looks to start a conversation as well as providing advice and pointing to services.
A holistic approach one
As part of a preventative approach to encourage early intervention before problems arise, we wanted to encourage all students to engage in good mental health and wellbeing practices. Just as you should exercise and eat well to have a healthy body, you have to put in work to have a healthy mental state, too. This was an entirely new approach for the University, so I created an entirely new visual language to talk to an audience who may have previously been resistant to mental health messaging.
two brains walking together
an anxious looking siren
an alarm clock that looks around before jumping up in panic
a brain walking happily by itself
a very sad looking candle
two happy lightbulbs walk together
a brain floating and meditating
an angry cloud walking alone
An anxious looking siren with the headline 'feeling anxious about exams?'
An anxious, blaring siren worried about their exams.
a roundel that reads 'be kind to your brain' two stickers, one of a sad brain and the other reading 'love your brain'
Stickers and badges are used as a fun, interactive way to join in with the campaign.
visualising emotion one
To represent this holistic approach, I created a collection of characters to represent different aspects of mental health and wellbeing (later animated by my co-worker Kieran Bentley.). The characters experiences all the different emotions and obstacles that we all do and deal with them using a wide range of physical and emotional care. By anthropomorphising the characters, I can create a variety of illustrations visualising topics which are often hard to put into words.
a happy cloud with the headline 'sunny days ahead!'
Another sticker.
a brain holding a sign that reads 'I love myself!'
Wishing all the students a happy Valentine's with a reminder to love themselves.

Thanks for taking a look at this project!

go back to view more of my work