Designing for LGBTQI+ Activism
WITH ASTRAEA LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE
Brand identity and event assets for CommsLabs to support LGBTQI+ activism.The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works to advance LGBTQI+ human rights around the globe. Their CommsLabs initiative equips activists with media, communications, and technology skills to be effective but safe in their efforts. In 2015, the Work Department developed a visual identity and event materials for CommsLabs. The goal was to create a clear and adaptable design system that aligned with the initiative’s focus on collaboration, accessibility, and movement-building while being practical for use across different regions.
We designed the CommsLabs logo so that it could be customized for different convenings. We also created a broader design system that features clean typography, a flexible color palette, and interconnected visual elements to represent the program’s network-building approach. We applied the identity across banners, event programs, graphics, and apparel, ensuring consistency at convenings in Colombia and Kenya.
Our design helped create a cohesive and recognizable presence for CommsLabs and supported Astraea’s efforts to provide activists with tools to enhance digital security, share their stories, and strengthen advocacy networks. By focusing on clarity and usability, we contributed to making CommsLabs an effective platform for LGBTQI+ organizing worldwide.
