CRIPS Île-de-France

We proposed a "collage" approach that was retained: a scrapbook universe, with cut-out papers, doodles, mixed typography, and bold colors. This choice allowed each notebook to have its own atmosphere while maintaining the overall coherence of the collection.

However, the main difficulty we encountered was less about technical constraints and more about the nature of the creative brief: the Crips had difficulty formalizing its visual expectations. Several working sessions in meetings, preferred over email exchanges, allowed us to gradually build a shared artistic direction. In the end, collage and scrapbooking are indeed present, but we removed the cut-out photographs that were not in line with the overall artistic direction of the association. We also revised the color palette, moving from bold colors to more pastel tones. 

Each person has very personal references in terms of graphic design: what they find beautiful or ugly, what a "flashy" color is, whether a font is legible… It is also a question of context, as a green can appear sad or cheerful depending on the colors it is associated with… At the concept stage, a large part of my work consists of listening and translating words to ensure we are well aligned on what we are looking for.

Manuela, Art director, 148 Collective Agency

The illustrations were entrusted to Manuela, whose work accurately captures the freshness and positive tone sought. Expressive characters, dynamic compositions, bright palette: the style directly addresses the challenges of the brief: making complex subjects such as self-perception, sexuality, or harassment accessible. 

The first booklet, dedicated to well-being and mental health, allowed us time to align, and benefited from a special listening time, to refine each illustration until it fully served the educational content.

Five other booklets are expected to follow during the year, some revamped, others entirely new, to complete and update the collection.