Stephanie Unger, Craig and Karl, and Morag Myerscough design empowering posters for the British Red Cross

Nine leading illustrators and graphic designers have created rousing, type-led posters for a campaign by VCCP for the British Red Cross, as part of its latest campaign to raise awareness and funds for the charity. The I Have the Power series includes vibrant designs by Stephanie Unger, Craig and Karl, Morag Myerscough and more, inspiring viewers to take action by supporting and donating to the charity, and spreading the message that individuals are capable of making a difference. Aleesha Nandhra, Nadina Ali, Katrina Russell-Adams, Annie Nicholson (Fandangoe Kid), Molly Bland and Lesidris have also contributed vivid and motivational posters, with a tenth artist being selected via a social media competition.

Stephanie Unger’s design features her super cute Jimbee character, with flushed cheeks and holding a heart in its hands. “There is a lot of misplaced power in the world right now so it felt really important for me to focus on the power of love and kindness in humanity,” she explains of her approach to the poster. Stephanie adds that the phrase reminds people “of their value and importance. “It's really easy to fall into feeling like what we do as individuals won't have an impact, but we are capable of so much and our individual acts of kindness are tremendously powerful.”

Aleesha Nandhra’s design shows a leopard among flowers, an image she says conveys “inner strength and growth” and the fact that “during this time I’ve found a lot of joy in nature”. Nadina Ali’s poster alludes to a challenging year that she says has left people feeling “powerless”. “With my artwork, I wanted to portray power as something that comes from a place of love and which radiates from within. It's not something that only people in high places have access to or something we have to wait for permission to be given. We all have power within us that we can use if/when we decide to. For me, [it] means I'm in control of my own destiny and I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I hope my design will help people feel empowered too!”

The posters and accompanying merch including t-shirts, jumpers, tea towels, mugs, tote bags, notepads, water bottles, postcards and puzzles are being sold on the British Red Cross online shop. Further details of the competition to find the tenth designer will be announced on the charity’s Instagram and Facebook pages soon. This poster series accompanies a TV ad encouraging viewers to take action and support its vital work. I Have the Power follows the charity’s Kindness Will Keep Us Together campaign earlier this year, also by VCCP, which also worked with illustrators including Rose Blake, Anthony Burrill, Yukai Du and Supermundane.