2020 was full of surprises, and not the good ones either. An unexpected pandemic put a hard stop to the global economy, affecting us all. Being financially ready for anything has become an important focus for many. So the theme for this National Student Money week 2021 was how to get ready for the unexpected. Because when you are prepared, you can withstand any financial weather conditions that life throws at you.

The design support for this campaign encapsulated the theme of financial preparedness and mutual support. The core concept revolved around stylised figures sheltered beneath umbrellas, symbolising protection and readiness for unexpected financial “storms.”

As a designer, I drew inspiration from the campaign’s message of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances and the importance of community support. The umbrella motif perfectly embodied this idea, representing both financial shelter and the concept of people coming together to help one another.

The design approach aimed to create a visually appealing and memorable campaign that would resonate with students, encouraging them to engage with financial planning and seek support when needed. By using a simple yet powerful visual metaphor, the project sought to make the topic of financial preparedness more approachable and less daunting for the student audience.

During these difficult times unexpected things happen almost every day. And we’ve learnt to expect the unexpected. But what we’ve also learnt was that there’s always someone who can help. That’s why it is very important to be there for each other. To help, or just to listen and give a friendly hug.