Firebrand got to work on a project involving talented rangatahi in Tai Tokerau. The project involves creating a new digital platform for youth to have their voices heard. This project collaborates with numerous organisations and councils surrounding Northland, with Mahitahi Hauora, Northland's primary health entity leading the project. The project will result in a platform for 16-24-year-olds to express their views on health, social and environmental projects. The great thing about this project is that it collaborates with local rangatahi. Firebrand was brought into this project in a mentorship role, providing guidance for young students during the development of the brand.
The young people working on this project are students at The Design School studying graphic design. The students were tasked with putting together a name, colour scheme and logo that would engage with the youth in Northland. This project was also a competition between the students, with prizes for the winners and runner-ups. Whoever won the competition would have their work used as the branding for a new website.
Firebrand got to come in and guide the students throughout the process that we typically go through with our clients. Our Senior Strategist Rach worked as a mentor throughout the project. She was giving industry insight that she had gained through her own experience. There were a few Zoom calls with the students where the students could ask questions and have the opportunity to see what goes into the different stages of a typical design process. Then, students went and spent some time creating some incredible work. All of the students put special thought and care into their designs.
A panel of judges selected the winner. Once the winner was decided, Rach did some logo polishing on the winning design. The winning student blew everyone away with their design and the thought and rationale behind their creation. It was deemed evident to everyone involved the importance of having the youth's voice present throughout this project. As one of the judges put it, "all of the designs were better than any adult can do". When designing something for young people, the best people to have involved are young people.
When it came to the announcement of the winner and prize giving, unfortunately, the winner was not able to be there to receive their prize of an iPad and Apple Pencil due to being in lockdown. Fortunately, they were able to listen to the announcement of the winner and were very excited. They won due to the high standard of design and well-thought-out rationale to support the design. The design captured a sense of fun and youthfulness that directly connected to the digital aspect of the platform.
Once the winner was announced, Rach talked through her process of polishing the logo and creating the 'branding bundle'. Due to the high standard of the winning design, Rach didn't have to make any significant changes to the design. The changes that were made were to make the design more versatile for a range of applications. Other changes were made that Firebrand typically does to ensure our clients receive their full branding bundle working correctly. Rach talked this process through for the students. The winner was happy with all the changes made, and the other students appreciated seeing good design practices in a professional setting.
The students who did not win the competition were keen to have feedback on improving their work. Having the chance to have their work taken seriously in a professional environment was an exciting opportunity for them, and they used this opportunity to the fullest extent. With more funding going into this project, putting together a website is the next step. Firebrand will be creating this website, and the students will have more opportunities to get involved with this project in the future.