Self initiated group project

Gardens for Wildlife

Our Client

Whitehorse City Council is a local government authority located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It manages a variety of services, infrastructure, and community projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents and the environment. As the client for the redesign of the Gardens for Wildlife program, the council emphasizes sustainability, community engagement, and biodiversity preservation.

Key facts about Whitehorse City Council:

  1. Location and Population: It covers suburbs like Box Hill, Blackburn, and Vermont, with a diverse population exceeding 170,000 people.

  2. Environmental Focus: The council has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, demonstrated through initiatives like energy-efficient programs, waste reduction strategies, and biodiversity conservation.

  3. Gardens for Wildlife Program: This community-driven initiative encourages residents to create wildlife-friendly gardens that support native plants and animals, aligning with the council’s vision of maintaining natural ecosystems and promoting green spaces.

  4. Community Engagement: Whitehorse City Council prioritizes involving the community in decision-making and projects, with a strong focus on education and volunteerism.

  5. Partnerships: The council often collaborates with local organizations, schools, and environmental groups to drive programs like Gardens for Wildlife, fostering a sense of stewardship among residents.

In redesigning the Gardens for Wildlife program, the council seeks to enhance its environmental strategies while continuing to encourage active community participation in wildlife conservation.

Get to Know the Dream Team

  • Freya

    Illustrator, editor and merandising artist and producer

  • Amy

    3D artist and Chief video editor

  • Arjun

    Presentator and logo designer

  • Ben

    Illustrator, photographer and poster producer

It all begins with an idea

A new Vision

For the redesigned Gardens for Wildlife (G4W) program, we introduced a fresh, modern theme that shifts from the original traditional and earthy aesthetic to a more vibrant and chic look. This transformation is designed to engage younger audiences by adopting the energy of a modern music festival, without misrepresenting the program. Instead, the goal is to breathe new life into an activity that may have been previously perceived as old-fashioned.

The new design embraces bold and vibrant colors such as green, blue, purple, and pink to create a surreal, eye-catching visual experience. For digital media, we incorporated 3D elements of native Australian plants, making the graphics dynamic and immersive. On the physical media and merchandising side, we opted for stippled illustrations, adding a tactile, artistic touch.

Chrome accents were added to further enhance the contemporary vibe of the branding, giving it an edgy, modern feel. To reflect this transformation, we also simplified the program’s name to "G4W," a sleek rebranding that captures the program’s essence while appealing to a wider audience.

Gotta ask

Due to the possible perception of the visual style, feedback was needed to see if there were any moral implications. These are the people I interviewed.

Amelia

(Environmental Science Major, Active Volunteer):
Passionate about conservation and community, Amelia regularly engages in environmental activism and values giving back through volunteering.

Liam

(Marketing Major, Social and Outgoing):
Enthusiastic and outgoing, Liam thrives in collaborative and fun environments, especially those tied to social causes and events.

Ethan

(Law Student, Practical and Analytical):
Focused on career advancement, Ethan is selective about volunteering, prioritizing opportunities that align with his professional goals.

Mia

(Graphic Design Student, Artistic and Creative):
A creative spirit, Mia is drawn to visually appealing campaigns, with an interest in environmental and community-focused causes.

Noah

(Engineering Major, Results-Oriented):
Practical and goal-driven, Noah looks for efficiency and direct impact when considering volunteering opportunities.

Isabella

(Environmental Enthusiast, Politically Engaged):
Passionate about environmental justice and activism, Isabella is involved in causes that align with her personal values of sustainability and fairness.

Sophie

(Education Major, Compassionate Leader):
Sophie is dedicated to helping others and sees volunteering as a way to support and uplift communities, particularly in youth and education.

James

(IT Student, Introverted):
A tech enthusiast, James prefers working behind the scenes and is drawn to volunteering roles where he can use his technical skills.

Henry

(Sports Science Student, Outgoing):
Active and sociable, Henry enjoys volunteering in events that involve physical participation and community interaction.

Charlotte

(Psychology Major, Socially Conscious):
Focused on social justice and mental health, Charlotte gravitates toward campaigns that support well-being and social equity.

What We Asked

  1. Would you volunteer? Why or why not?

  2. Have regular volunteering campaigns ever caught your eye?

  3. What do you think of the current festival aesthetic?

  4. Do you think this campaign is deceiving?

  5. Would you be more likely to inquire into this campaign based on its design?

  6. Do you have any thoughts or concerns?

What People Are Saying

“Ensure that the vibrant design doesn’t overshadow the core message about volunteering.”

– Sophie

“Include practical details to address concerns about clarity and substance.”

– Noah

“I’d want to see if the campaign’s goals align with my values before getting involved.”

– Ethan

Thanks for letting us know

The student interviews provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the "I'll Never Leaf You" campaign. While many students praised the vibrant, festival-like aesthetic, appreciating its ability to make volunteering feel approachable and fun, others raised concerns that the design might overshadow the campaign’s core purpose. Students with different backgrounds, political views, and personal interests had diverse perspectives, with some drawn to the aesthetics and others focused more on the clarity of the message and practicality of the opportunities.

Benefits of Student Feedback:

Informed Campaign Decisions: Gathering feedback from students allows for adjustments to be made that ensure the campaign resonates with its target audience.

Understanding Audience Diversity: The range of responses highlights how different groups may perceive the same campaign, ensuring the campaign can cater to a wider demographic.

Identifying Concerns Early: Students raised potential issues about clarity and transparency, which can now be addressed before the campaign is launched.

Tailored Messaging: Feedback on the design can help refine messaging to ensure that both the aesthetic and the campaign's goals are clear and engaging.

Wildly Reimagined: A Fresh Take on Gardens for Wildlife

The final Gardens for Wildlife (G4W) video highlighted the campaign's bold rebranding through a fun mockumentary. Combining live presentations with vibrant recorded footage, the video introduced the "I'll Never Leaf You" theme, featuring bright colors and 3D native plant designs.

Humor and exaggerated interviews made the environmental message more approachable, targeting younger audiences by blending education with entertainment. The video successfully showcased G4W’s fresh, youthful identity, inviting viewers to engage with the program and support local wildlife through planting native species.