The Blue Project transforms a high-visibility wall on Ashram Road into an inclusive, community-driven platform that amplifies Deaf awareness, supports local enterprise, and uses design as a tool for equality.
my role
Client
Duration
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Procreate
contribution
Team
Devangi Udaiwal, Graphic Des.
Nishi Dave, Illustrator
Spriha, Animator
Krisha Koradia, Illustrator
About: Blue project
The "Blue Project" revolves around the wall adjacent to the School of the Deaf-Mutes Society on Ashram Road in Ahmedabad.
It takes its name from the Deaf Community's favored color, with the goal of increasing awareness of the school and championing equality for the Deaf population.
Positioned strategically near a bustling traffic signal, the wall has also evolved into a platform for small enterprises. Beyond its functional role, the Blue Project encourages community interaction and exemplifies how design can be harnessed to endorse inclusivity and embrace diversity.
Process
Developed our graphic through following Steps:
Define, Discover, Design, Deliver
01 define
problem
There are numerous problems that deaf community faces such as :
Lack of Awareness: The School of the Deaf-Mutes Society faces a challenge in gaining recognition and support due to a lack of public awareness.
Under-utilised Space: The fact that the wall adjacent to the school is being employed by road-side mechanics, barbers, and painters highlights an issue of space being underused.
Stigmatisation of the Deaf Community: Deaf individuals frequently encounter societal prejudice and discrimination, resulting in feelings of isolation and exclusion.
goals
To make the deaf community lively I and my team have proposed many goals such as :
Boosting Awareness
Through a focus on visual elements and community participation we tried to heightened awareness that can lead to increased support, donations, and community involvement.
Encouraging Community Engagement
The project's objective is to build a communal space for activities such as drawing and using the swing to dismantles barriers that often separate different segments of society.
necessity
Why it’s needed?
Deaf Community Awareness: In our in-person survey in Ahmedabad, we found that many people didn't know about the School of the Deaf-Mutes Society.
Educational Challenges: Teachers at the School of the Deaf-Mutes Society have trouble getting the things they need because not enough people know about their school.
Stigmatisation Data: A study (mostly secondary research) showed that some Deaf people in our area feel like they're treated unfairly because they're Deaf.
Successful Initiatives: When we looked at similar projects in other places, we saw that they were able to change how people think and make things better for Deaf people.
scenerios & chaLlanges
Real-World Scenarios and Challenges :
Community Insights: We talked to people living near the wall. They like the small businesses but sometimes get bothered by the noise and mess.
Children's Needs: We talked to parents and kids living nearby. Some kids have a hard time playing, so we want to make a swing and a place for drawing to help these kids have fun.
Conflicts and Misuse: In the past, there were problems between Deaf people and business owners near the wall because they didn't understand each other. We want to make sure everyone knows why the wall is important and can get along.
design initiatives for wall
Initiatives that were taken while designing the wall :
International Best Practices: We looked at walls in other places that did a good job.
Innovative Materials: We found materials that are good for the environment like recycling plastic and using eco-friendly paint.
Expert Consultation: We talked to experts who know a lot about making places.
Technology Integration: We also want to use cool technology like QR codes and fun computer stuff. Imagine you can use your phone to learn about Deaf people's achievements or play games related to the wall. This makes the wall exciting and interactive.
ideation
During the ideation phase, we brainstormed ideas like adding a swing to nearby trees, turning the street into a fun playground for children. We also considered the possibility of placing tires and slate boards outside the wall, creating a space for kids and small children in the neighbourhood to draw and sketch.
final outcome
Our efforts in the Blue Project led to something wonderful. It's like a colourful sign that shows we care about everyone and like to celebrate how we're all different.
"Our artwork is also featured in a Gujarat Newspaper"
