Leave a Message
A heartfelt social campaign and brand identity hybrid dedicated to strengthening human connections, supporting mental well-being. It aims to foster empathy and self-compassion in the fast-paced digital era, acknowledging the need for emotional support and connection. Summary
Queensland University of Technology (QUT).Client
Year
2023
Adobe
Creative
Award
2023
First and foremost, what is the
Design Challenge?
Social isolation impacts the well-being of 800 million youths, posing a significant public health concern (headspace, 2022). To address this societal challenge, ‘Leave a Message’ leverages the power of storytelling to foster empathy and self-compassion.
What is the
Idea?
‘Leave a Message’ is a social campaign and brand identity hybrid inspired by the question, “What would you tell your younger self?”. It leverages the power of shared wisdom to create a community where people feel heard and understood. While targeting youth, it also serves as a healing platform for all ages, genders, and ethnicities.The name 'Leave a Message' was inspired by the various methods of sharing people’s wisdom and engaging in reflective dialogue (e.g., handwritten notes, emails, voice messages). Each response, resembling a star, carries a unique story. A playful hand-drawn and space-themed motif is incorporated to convey the idea that, just like in the cosmos, each individual is truly one of a kind.What is the
Solution?
‘The project centres around a digital interactive art display, a temporary pop-up installation across Australia. Passersby can read and leave messages for their younger selves via the Message Portal, accessible by scanning a QR code. Submitted responses via email, letters, etc., are also shared on the official Instagram page @leaveamessage_au, fostering community engagement with meaningful messages.
‘Leave a Message’ also offers merchandise reminders of the supportive community this project cultivates. The hand-illustrated picture book features the campaign characters, Little Star and Grandpa. Inspired by the stories shared and responses collected during research,
‘Guiding Little Star’ resonates with individuals experiencing anxiety, offering a story of resilience and self-discovery. You can read it here.Explore interactive features:
What would you tell your younger self?
Leave us a message!
1. First, click the 'Message Portal' button.
2. Type in your response and click 'Share'.
3. Click the 'Interactive Canvas' button, and voila!
Your response will be visible to everyone.
What do we conclude about its
Design Impacts?
This project promotes empathy, understanding, and mental well-being through thoughtful design and engagement strategies. It encourages active participation, inviting contributions and engagement. This design fosters interaction, reflection, and both connection, both physically and digitally. By creating a platform for shared wisdom, ‘Leave a Message’ addresses the pressing issue of social isolation among youth, making a significant impact on mental and emotional health.
Disclaimer: This is merely a hypothetical brief and a project done for Queensland University of Technology (QUT).