afHDR: Social Media Cards for Gender Equality

Design by Wan Chun Hsieh

Designed by Wan Chun Hsieh, the afHDR social media cards were created in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These compelling infographic cards aim to raise awareness about the political, economic, and social barriers that hinder African women's advancement, while proposing policies and concrete actions to close the gender gap.

The inspiration for the graphics came from Africa's vibrant patterns and the rich diversity of its people's lifestyles. By combining these elements with the content and data from the report, Hsieh was able to create a visually engaging series of infographic illustrations.

One of the unique features of the afHDR cards is their versatility. They were designed to be shared on various social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. To ensure optimal viewing, Hsieh tailored the size of the cards to fit the specifications of each platform. The Facebook post size is 1024x1024 pixels, while the Twitter post size is 1024x576 pixels.

The realization of the design involved a meticulous process. Hsieh started by sketching ideas in a sketchbook to establish a consistent visual language and define the shape of the characters. The final illustrations were then created using software like Illustrator and Photoshop, which allowed for precise control over colors, fonts, and typography.

The afHDR social media cards have been uploaded to the internal UNDP platform, making them accessible to country offices worldwide. This enables UNDP country offices to promote the message of gender equality on their respective social media platforms. To explore more posts related to the afHDR campaign, simply search the hashtag #afHDR on Twitter and Facebook.

The design project took place in August 2016 in New York. Throughout the process, Hsieh faced the challenge of simplifying the content without losing its meaning. To overcome this obstacle, discussions were held with communication specialists to ensure that the phrasing remained clear and concise.

The afHDR design has received recognition for its excellence. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category in 2017. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate innovation, practicality, and adherence to professional and industrial standards. The afHDR social media cards have successfully integrated industry best practices and technical characteristics, contributing to a better world.