BOSTON, MA, August 25, 2014– Stereotyping, police violence, pollution, smoking, GMOs and education were among the issues tackled by Boston’s young people during this year’s Youth Designers Take Action Competition, in partnership with Cause Consulting. Youth Design, a year-round program connecting urban youth with the creative profession, is proud to announce that Bethany Barrant, a recent graduate of Boston Latin High School, is the winner of the 2014 competition for her powerful anti-stereotyping PSA highlighting “my appearance is not my story.”
“If anyone doubts they can do something, I tell them to just go forward and try it,” says 2014 winner Bethany Barrant. “Until two years ago, I never had the chance to take an art class. Today, I can translate images and concepts from thoughts into inspiring ideas. Youth Design gave me the tools, internships, networks, support, exposure and training to help me grow.”
Winner Bethany Barrant at Youth Design Graduation 2014
Throughout the summer, Boston-based social issue and CSR strategy firm Cause Consulting led the students through the PSA creation process. Students were coached by design firm internship mentors, virtual creative directors and Cause Consulting team members. First, each student selected a topic that concerned them, then determined a target audience and finally designed a poster to inspire them to take action. To help students arrive at their final entry, Cause Consulting facilitated a workshop with the students teaching them how to define and research their audience, learn about their chosen issue and create the right messaging and call-to-action. The highlight of the process for many students was working on a mock assignment for John Barros, the Chief of Economic Development in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Boston. To their surprise, John Barros himself joined the Youth Designers at the end of the workshop to hear their perspective on teens and jobs and how they can play a vital role in the creative economy.
Mark Feldman with YD Student
“The students’ designs demonstrate the skill, inherent talent, passion and potential for Boston’s young people to cause change,” says Mark Feldman, Managing Director of Cause Consulting and Youth Design Board Member. “We are proud to invest our time to empower these amazing young peopleto bring their ideas to life.”
A panel of volunteer judges selected the winners based on their use of powerful imagery, chosen messaging and motivational calls-to-action. The 2014 Youth Designers Take Action winners are:
First place: Bethany Barrant for “Stop Stereotyping. My appearance is not my story.”
Second place: Yamilet Acevedo for “Pollution, it’s like taking water from a baby.”
Third place: Christina Fernandez for “edUcation, U are being left behind.”
All the PSA’s can be viewed at: https://ow.ly/AH0Gy
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Youth Design is a leading Boston-based nonprofit organization that is focused on addressing critical socioeconomic needs of urban youth by teaching them highly marketable design skills, providing access to unparalleled professional mentors, and supporting them along the path toward higher education. Since 2003, Youth Design has helped to shape the next generation of diverse design professionals through aggressive educational and workforce development initiatives set in the context of design while promoting diversity in the creative economy.
Cause Consulting is a Boston-based strategy and communications firm that helps companies simultaneously strengthen business and impact society. Ranked as the #2 CSR Communications Agency by CR Magazine, , the firm specializes in CSR strategy, signature programs, cause marketing, employee engagement and communications.