Behind the Design: From the Designer's Perspective

You Are welcome Here poster

When I was given the job of designing this poster I will admit I was a little overwhelmed with the task. How can I make everyone feel welcome? There were a lot of different drafts before the finished product. I never imagined that it would be as big as it is now. I guess that just means I did my job well. We used the different languages to adhere to international students and student from different backgrounds, the rainbow “Welcome” to speak to our LGBTQ community, and the hands to represent people of color.

As a black woman there are many times I feel as if I’m not welcomed or that my voice isn’t heard, and with the changes that are happening in our world right now it’s important that people feel safe here at Western, here in Kalamazoo, and everywhere.

I think the success of the poster is because of how simple the message is. “You are Welcome Here:” it's saying your life and existence is welcome here, your ideas and voice are encouraged here, and that we appreciate all types of people from our international students, our diverse faculty and staff, and our domestic students of different backgrounds. Western is a diverse community and it’s so much better when we celebrate our differences and create a community where everyone can feel safe.

Nastasia Harden
Graphic and printing science major
Student-designer, Haenicke Institute