CCWD — Break The Loop
ILLUSTRATION / ART DIRECTION
The Center for Child Well-being and Development (CCWD) at the University of Zurich focuses on innovative research aimed at improving the lives of children, especially in low-income countries. Their work spans education, health, and economic well-being, emphasizing long-term, sustainable impact through rigorous research and collaboration.
I was invited by the award-winning production company Piloto, a longtime collaborator, to develop the visual elements for this urgent and impactful project. As part of this pro bono work, I faced the challenge of creating characters that authentically represented Black individuals. During the process, I explored not only skin tones but also body language and facial expressions that conveyed cultural depth. Inspiration came by the revolutionary work of Emory Douglas, the graphic designer for the Black Panthers, since I aimed to communicate such serious themes with a balance of graphic clarity and poetic impact.
The character design in this project became one of the most complex and rewarding works I’ve done. Drawing from photographs of real cocoa farm workers in the Ivory Coast, I incorporated local cultural elements and authentic set designs to create an environment that resonated with truth. The careful attention to detail made this project particularly meaningful to me, as it was not only about aesthetics but about representing a serious issue with dignity and respect.