Beeldtaal

Graphic Design - Storytelling

For this assignment, I designed a poster to raise awareness that mental health struggles are often invisible. The poster targets young people and students who experience pressure from social expectations.

By using strong visual contrast, symbolism, and rhetorical techniques, I wanted to encourage viewers to look beyond appearances and simply ask someone, "How are you, really?" The concept combines emotional storytelling with clear visual communication to make an important social issue more visible.

Symbolism

The poster uses symbolism to show that mental health struggles are often invisible. The calm expression of the woman contrasts with the dark shadow behind her, which is filled with storm clouds, scratches, and abstract lines. This shadow represents hidden emotions such as stress, anxiety, and depression, while the woman symbolizes how people can appear completely fine on the outside.

First design

First Design

My first version focused on creating a strong emotional impact through the contrast between the woman and her shadow. I kept the background minimal so all attention would go to the main subject. While the concept communicated the message clearly, it lacked context and didn't provide viewers with any guidance or next steps.

Final design

Improvements

After receiving feedback, I added a recognizable school environment to better connect with the target audience. I also replaced the original headline with "More Than You See" and added a supporting call-to-action encouraging people to ask how someone is really doing. Finally, I included a QR code and organization logo to make the poster feel more trustworthy and provide viewers with a clear place to find help.