For my second project, our task is to explore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and select an article that resonates with me, one I feel I can engage with compassionately and meaningfully as someone in a wheelchair. Being able to choose something that resonates with me highly is very open-minded. Using this as a foundation, I will design a poster that visually communicates the essence and message of the chosen article. This project is a unique opportunity to consider how design can respond to global issues and human values, while also allowing me to develop my creative interpretation. Through this process, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of the ways design can inform, inspire, and connect with audiences on important social and ethical topics.
Upon researching this topic, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a foundational document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 that sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. It was created in the aftermath of World War II to promote dignity, equality, and justice, ensuring that individuals everywhere are protected from oppression, discrimination, and abuse. The UDHR also consists of 30 articles, each outlining specific rights, including the right to life, freedom of expression, education, work, and equality before the law. These articles cover a wide range of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, collectively establishing a universal standard for human dignity and fairness. Its importance lies in providing a global framework for governments, organisations, and individuals to advocate for and uphold human rights. While not legally binding, the UDHR has influenced international treaties, national constitutions, and laws, serving as a guiding principle for human rights protections worldwide. By understanding and engaging with the UDHR, designers and communicators can help raise awareness, educate, and inspire action on critical issues that affect communities globally.
Whilst the design industry resonates to hundreds of different global topics, the UDHR provides a powerful foundation for design projects that aim to communicate important social and ethical messages. By understanding its principles, designers can create work that raises awareness, educates audiences, and inspires action on human rights issues. In the context of my project, selecting an article and designing a poster allows me to translate complex ideas into a visual language that is accessible and engaging, making the core message of the article resonate with a wider audience. Designers like myself can influence perception and foster empathy through thoughtful visual storytelling. Projects like this demonstrate how design can go beyond aesthetics to serve a purpose, promoting social responsibility, highlighting universal values, and giving visibility to issues that affect people globally. By engaging with the UDHR, I am not only improving my creative and technical skills but also exploring how design can contribute meaningfully to conversations about human rights, justice, and equality.
While researching the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I wanted to focus on understanding the values each article represents and consider how these principles could translate into meaningful design work. Some articles particularly resonated with me due to their clarity, emotional impact, and potential to inspire a strong visual message. I explored several articles before identifying five that stood out as the most powerful for poster design: Articles 15, 13, 20, 25, and 9.
My first article I reviewed was 15, which emphasises that everyone has the right to a nationality and should not be arbitrarily deprived of it. I found this powerful because it relates to identity, belonging, and legal recognition. Visually, it could be represented through imagery of passports, maps, or symbols of community and inclusion, which could evoke a sense of personal and collective identity.
Article 13 guarantees the right to move freely within a country and to leave or return to one’s own country. This article stood out to me as it highlights freedom and autonomy. For a poster, this could be expressed through open spaces, paths, or directional motifs that suggest movement and opportunity.
This article focuses on the right to gather and form associations peacefully. I found it compelling because it emphasises collaboration, unity, and collective action. Visually, this could be represented through groups of people, circles, or intersecting forms to suggest community and cooperation.
This article ensures the right to food, clothing, housing, and healthcare. Its relevance is universal, highlighting basic human dignity. For design purposes, it could be illustrated through symbols of care, support, or nourishment, creating a poster that conveys both protection and compassion.
Lastly, I looked into Article 9, which protects individuals from unjust arrest or imprisonment. This article resonated strongly because it underscores personal freedom and justice. In a visual context, it could be represented through open doors, broken chains, or abstract forms suggesting liberation, making the message both striking and clear.