Stay Cool, PEI: Preparing for Heat Waves Together – 2023 awareness campaign created in collaboration with Probity Marketing
Partnership highlights: Collaborating with Probity Marketing to design an awareness campaign for climate resilience in Prince Edward Island
At Gancz Creations, we were honoured to partner with Probity Marketing on the Stay Cool, PEI awareness campaign. This initiative aimed to provide Prince Edward Islanders with vital knowledge and tools to navigate extreme heat conditions, an increasingly urgent issue due to climate change. Our role was to enhance the campaign by designing impactful marketing collateral which expanded upon the existing free digital guide. The guide offered practical advice on recognizing and preventing heat-related illnesses while also fostering community resilience.
To ensure the awareness campaign’s effectiveness, we conducted a thorough review of the existing materials and developed a range of creative assets, including illustrations, printables, social media content, and animated reels to promote the guide. These materials were designed to resonate with a diverse audience, reflecting the varied demographics and environments of the island. By animating the illustrations for social media, we increased engagement, while the printables—designed to be easily placed on fridges—served as helpful reminders, emphasizing the campaign’s commitment to accessibility and public health.
Background: Addressing climate change and public health in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is already experiencing the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures and increasing heat waves posing significant health risks. Vulnerable groups, including seniors, infants, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing conditions, are particularly at risk. High temperatures not only strain the electric grid but also impact mental health across the region.
In response, the Stay Cool, PEI awareness campaign was launched to equip Islanders with the knowledge and tools needed to handle extreme heat conditions effectively. Prioritizing health and safety, the campaign introduced a free digital guide filled with practical tips for identifying and managing heat-related illnesses. By promoting community resilience, this initiative ensured that crucial information was accessible to all, helping Islanders stay prepared and safe during heat waves.
Key design strategies:
Crafting a user-centric and engaging digital experience
Inclusive and health-focused design
The campaign’s design prioritized diversity, inclusivity, and a strong focus on health and well-being. We ensured the message resonated with all community members by incorporating visually appealing, easy-to-understand graphics and clear communication.
Narrative-driven storytelling
By using narrative structures in animated reels and other materials, we guided viewers through key points in a relatable and memorable way. This storytelling approach enhanced the impact of the campaign, making the content more engaging and effective.
Illustrations crafted for clear communication
Meticulously designed illustrations, with a colourful, playful, and inclusive feel, fostered a sense of community and teamwork in tackling heat waves. This approach ensured the information was accessible and easy to grasp for a wide audience.
Interactive and engaging features
We incorporated QR codes, fill-in-the-blank fields, and interactive prompts in both print and digital formats to encourage active participation and engagement from the audience. These features not only increased interactivity but also made the campaign more memorable.
Featured campaign items:
Comprehensive tools for heat wave preparedness
Digital & printable one-pagers
The Stay Cool, PEI campaign included a series of digital and printable one-pagers, playing a crucial role in preparing Islanders for extreme heat events. Each document featured:
- Clear, organized layouts with bold headings
- Contrasting colours for improved readability
- QR codes for easy access to resources
The topics covered in these one-pagers ranged from:
- Recognizing symptoms of heat-related illnesses
- Emergency planning strategies
- Understanding how certain medications can increase vulnerability to heat waves
- Practical tips for staying cool
These designs collectively provided comprehensive guidance to mitigate the risks of extreme heat, promoting community resilience and safety.
Digital marketing assets
The social media posts created for this campaign used fun, playful, and engaging illustrations to effectively convey important messages about heat wave preparedness. Each post featured:
- Vibrant, colourful designs with a focus on inclusivity
- Bold headings and clear, concise text to ensure readability and engagement
These posts aimed to:
- Guide Islanders to safe, cool places
- Emphasize the importance of planning and staying hydrated
- Highlight the need to stay informed about weather conditions
Animated video content
We produced animated reels that brought our illustrations to life with smooth transitions and engaging animations, effectively enhancing the campaign’s message. The reels maintained a consistent colour palette with bright, inviting hues, including blues that evoke a sense of coolness. Featuring large, bold text for readability, the reels included interactive prompts and calls-to-action to increase engagement. The storytelling approach guided viewers through key points, making the content more relatable and memorable.
Continually impressed by their transparency, efficiency, and the exceptional quality of their work.
I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Gancz Creations on several projects through Probity Marketing, and we’re continually impressed by their transparency, efficiency, and the exceptional quality of their work. Their ability to turn around high-quality designs quickly and reliably makes them an incredible partner for us at Probity Marketing. Gancz Creations has consistently helped us amplify our clients’ impact with stunning visuals, and we’re proud to call them an integral part of our team. Highly recommend their services to anyone looking for top-notch graphic and web design.
Marcela Quintero Aguirre – Founder at Probity Marketing inc.
Outcome: Empowering Prince Edward Islanders with essential heat wave knowledge
The Stay Cool, PEI campaign assets successfully equipped Prince Edward Islanders with the essential knowledge and tools to handle extreme heat conditions. Through our collaboration with Probity Marketing, we created a comprehensive suite of marketing collateral, including digital guides, printables, social media posts, and animated reels. These materials featured an inclusive, health-focused design with a strong emphasis on clear communication and accessibility, making crucial heat wave preparedness information accessible and engaging for all Islanders.
Join our journey: Partnering to tackle climate change and public health challenges through graphic design
At Gancz Creations, we believe in the transformative power of design to address pressing environmental and public health challenges. Our collaboration with Probity Marketing on the Stay Cool, PEI campaign exemplifies our commitment to using design as a tool to improve lives and promote well-being. We look forward to partnering with more organizations focused on climate change and public health as we continue our mission to design for impact.