A renewed strategic vision for the WHRD-IC, built through deep listening, collective reflection, and decolonial feminist commitments brought to life through bold design and powerful, intersectional storytelling.

WHRD-IC approached us during a pivotal moment. After a period of dormancy and internal renewal, the Coalition was preparing to reintroduce itself with clarity and conviction. They needed a public-facing document that would articulate their 2025–2030 strategic framework, a living, breathing declaration of who they are, what they stand for, and where they’re headed. Our role was to help design this document in a way that would feel grounded, accessible, unapologetically feminist, and visually coherent with the Coalition’s spirit.

We began with a core belief: strategy doesn’t have to be sterile. A document like this should feel like it was written by and for a community, not just to meet donor or institutional expectations. So, we read closely, sat with the stories, and translated the document’s heart into visual and design choices that honored its substance and values.

The content laid out a sharp and emotionally resonant analysis of the global context from climate collapse to digital surveillance, militarism, shrinking civic space, and rising fundamentalisms and made a strong case for centering the leadership of WHRDs, feminists, trans and non-binary defenders in the Global South.

We matched this urgency with a layout that is clear and bold, but never overwhelming. The structure unfolds organically, with ample space to breathe between sections and a rhythm that guides the reader rather than rushing them.

To carry the emotional weight and political clarity of the narrative, we introduced a series of custom illustrations and motifs throughout the report. These visual elements do more than decorate, they extend the document’s intent.

Each illustration reflects the layered realities of the WHRD ecosystem: the strength of transnational solidarities, the vibrancy of grassroots organising, and the embodied vulnerability of defending rights in hostile terrains.

We used layered patterns and motifs inspired by community quilts and protest banners to evoke collectivity, care, and resistance. Color choices were made with intention: earthy reds and rich purples ground the document in power and resilience, while golden ochres and turquoise accents offer brightness and hope.

Typography choices balance clarity with softness. The display font has just enough character to feel personal, while body text remains highly readable—honoring the many different readers this document may reach.

The final document presents a clear and bold strategic direction while holding space for complexity, care, and collaboration. It offers members and allies a shared anchor to build from—one that acknowledges lived experience, political urgency, and the need for deep structural change.

For us, this was a chance to translate a powerful collective vision into form. We approached it with the same values WHRD-IC champions: intention, clarity, and solidarity.