The COVID-19 pandemic required unprecedented emergency response, collaboration and coordination across all communication channels — from broadly disseminated materials to singular touchpoints. I created a suite of "TMU Peeps", which included depictions of racialized people, elders, people with disabilities, non-binary individuals and a variety of intersectional identities.
They were stylized for multiple possible interpretations, allowing a single figure to feel familiar and representative to different people and age groups.
A wall graphic covering a set of elevator doors, depicting a black male figure wearing a Covid mask.
Two banners stands, each featuring a set of "Blue Grumpy" faces representing main Covid symptoms and each with a different individual as described in the description of the TMU Peeps program.
A physical distancing poster on an elevator door featuring a blind man carrying his white cane and a black woman as they share an elevator together.
A selection of "Mandatory Screening" and "Masks Are Required" notices featuring a selection of TMU Peeps.
Multiple versions of each sign type were produced to be deployed across an institution of 42 buildings, at all entrances, elevators, washrooms and stairwells. The goal was to ensure a welcoming environment to everyone by combatting “symbolic annihilation” — where the absence of epresentation in media is an aggression toward equity-deserving groups.
The cast of almost 50 figures grew in popularity and has been deployed in training materials and other community engagement campaigns, including cyber-security awareness and health-and-safety manuals.
Three signs from a pilot that promote good waste sorting practices for a university-wide waste reduction program that feature three different TMU Peeps.
