NEW LEAF
Teachers are faced with an abundance of problems, the most prevalent being that they are severely underpaid. Not only are educators unsupported financially, but they are also not supported mentally and physically both in the classroom environment and out.
Students struggle to receive the education they deserve due to a lack of supplies, a high educator turnover rate, and more.
For this reason, New Leaf was designed and created. Part of a student-led exhibition at UNC Charlotte, New Leaf was created, designed, and presented to be an organization that is dedicated to positive transformation and making a meaningful impact on both educators and students within the North Carolina public school system.
New Leaf is designed with a warm and inviting color palette, symbolizing the important qualities an educator holds, such as empathy and patience. The name “New Leaf” relates to the start of a new school year, a new and exciting chapter in children’s lives.
The welcome box is also customizable, encouraging students to use their creativity to color in the sides of the box.
Educators spend hundreds of dollars of their own money every year to buy classroom supplies and struggle to fill up their classroom libraries with new or updated books.
For this reason, a children’s book is written and illustrated in collaboration with another graduating BFA student, Katelyn Dooley.
Every elementary teacher receives this book at the beginning of the school year to add to their class library and students will have the opportunity to take the book home with them at the end of the school year, fostering a love for reading beyond the classroom. No longer burdened by the financial strain of filling up their class libraries, educators can now welcome a new set of books each year without dipping into their own pockets.
To help teachers with supplies, a welcome box is created, which students K-5 will receive at the beginning of the school year. These boxes are not just about supplies, they’re also about empowerment. Packed with essentials such as composition notebooks, pencils, and coloring supplies, they ensure that no student starts the school year unprepared.
The box is 100% digitally illustrated.
New Lea’fs print campaign is a testament to unwavering commitment to positive transformation within the public schools system. Through compelling visuals and emotional data information, the campaign highlights the struggles our educators face, such as low salaries, high turnover rates, and the financial and emotional burden they carry.
I have taken photos of many of these items in each poster, especially the 50 hand-sharpened pencils which were then carefully arranged and photographed.
Through these three products, New Leaf aims to bring positive change in our teacher’s and children’s lives.
We need to support our educators, and design can catalyze change, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow under the guidance of our teachers.
