The idea driving the production of the modern, vibrant visuals for the "Peace Begins with Me" campaign was to refresh the perception of UN peacekeeping for a global audience, particularly those unfamiliar with the work of United Nations Peacekeepers working for the safety of the communities they serve around the globe.
By utilizing a bold, contemporary design approach, the visuals aimed to break away from traditional, somber representations of peacekeeping and present a more dynamic, engaging view that resonates with today’s digital-savvy and younger audiences.
Another goal of the campaign is to visually communicate the profound impact and dedication of United Nations peacekeepers while inspiring individuals to take personal responsibility for fostering peace. The campaign's design approach aims to convey that peace is not just the work of global institutions but a collective effort that starts with each individual.
The images were created to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers. By using impactful and respectful designs, the visuals aim to humanize the peacekeepers, showing them as everyday heroes working in dangerous and complex situations to protect civilians, promote human rights, and support communities in conflict.
To bring the "Peace Begins with Me" campaign to life, we modernized the perception of UN Peacekeeping through vibrant visuals and a strong, memorable logo that conveyed the campaign’s message. The design emphasized making peacekeeping relatable and inspiring for new, unfamiliar audiences, especially younger, digital-savvy individuals.
At the heart of the campaign was the logo, which featured the campaign’s name—"Peace Begins with Me." This logo was more than just a visual identifier; it was an integral part of the message, constantly reminding users of the individual role they play in global peace. The logo was strategically placed throughout the visuals, keeping the campaign’s message front and center. The design also allowed for easy customization to provide a wider use of the logo and adapt to different aspects of the campaign and we were able to derive the design to fit specific audiences and topics such as the celebration of women’s day “Peace begins with her.”
The goal was to create a visual identity that communicated the seriousness of peacekeeping while maintaining an optimistic, action-oriented tone. The logo was integrated into these images to not only brand the campaign but also reinforce the idea that peace is personal and achievable by everyone.
Peacekeepers were portrayed as relatable, dynamic individuals, reflecting the global scope of their efforts. This fresh perspective aimed to engage new audiences by presenting peacekeeping in a more positive, approachable light. Clean lines, vibrant colors, and engaging graphics helped capture the attention of users who may not have previously connected with UN peacekeeping narratives.
The visuals, along with interactive elements made the complex and serious subject of peacekeeping more digestible and relatable to a broader audience. The consistent use of the "Peace Begins with Me" logo across all elements reinforced the campaign’s message of individual responsibility. This approach helped ensure that users not only remembered the campaign but also felt inspired to act, reinforcing the notion that peace is achievable by everyone.
One of the primary challenges was making peacekeeping engaging for audiences unfamiliar with the topic and the work of peacekeeping. The vibrant design and simplified, interactive storytelling effectively addressed this by breaking down complex ideas into visually appealing and accessible content. Another challenge was ensuring that users retained the campaign’s message long after their experience. The strategic use of the logo across all visuals helped create a lasting impression, reinforcing the campaign’s message even after users left the site.
The uniqueness of the project lies in its bold combination of modern design and a powerful humanitarian message. By stepping away from traditional representations of peacekeeping, the campaign created an optimistic, action-oriented narrative that feels relevant to today’s global audience. The seamless integration of design, message, and interactive features allowed users to not only learn about peacekeeping but also see themselves as part of the peacebuilding process. This approach ensured that the campaign was both memorable and actionable, helping it reach and resonate with new audiences while maintaining the integrity of the UN's mission.
The "Peace Begins with Me" campaign successfully met our objectives by modernizing the perception of UN peacekeeping and reaching both traditional and non-traditional audiences. Through vibrant design, bold visuals, and interactive features, we engaged younger, digital-savvy individuals who may not have been familiar with peacekeeping before. The campaign’s logo served as a constant reminder of personal responsibility, making peacekeeping feel relatable and actionable. The consistent branding ensured that users would remember the message long after interacting with the campaign, reinforcing the idea that peace is personal and achievable.
We achieved our goal of raising awareness about the impact of peacekeeping by humanizing peacekeepers through dynamic, energetic illustrations. The campaign allowed for innovative storytelling simplifying complex information, making it accessible to a broader audience. The effectiveness of the design and images is supported by the 440K new followers to UN Peacekeeping digital channels which increased by 42% in 2023 reaching 1.5 million followers in early 2024.
The modern design approach attracted new audiences, making the work of UN peacekeepers more visible to those who might not have engaged with the topic before. The campaign effectively bridged the gap between awareness and action, helping individuals feel empowered to take part in peacebuilding efforts. By expanding the conversation around peacekeeping and making it more inclusive, we succeeded in raising both awareness and engagement in a meaningful, memorable way. The campaign’s ability to inspire a sense of personal responsibility in fostering global peace made it truly impactful.
