What’s in a name:
Development - “Strong & Deadly Futures” was developed as the name of the school-based prevention program by UNSW in consultation with Gilimbaa. The Gilimbaa Indigenous working group1 proposed a variety of names with a strength-based, positive and inclusive connotation, of which Strong & Deadly Futures was most unique and appropriate to the program.
Meaning - While the program is developed to be culturally sensitive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students, consultations with teachers and other stakeholders highlighted the need to ensure that the program is inclusive for all students when delivered in a classroom. The name represents this by using both the word ‘strong’ and ‘deadly2’. Using the words strong and deadly also relate to the strength-based focus that is embedded throughout this project. The word ‘Future’ identifies how this program will develop a positive foundation for the students to build their future on and that the program will have an ongoing positive impact on the students who will receive it.
Support - We are confident that this name resonates with both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as well as non-Indigenous students as it was developed by the Gilimbaa Indigenous working group. Additionally, we tested this and some of the other proposed names with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous students. There was overwhelming support for this name compared to other suggestions. The students thought it sounded relatable and cool. They also commented that ‘futures’ sounded like it is ongoing and will be relevant to the rest of their life rather than just a once-off program.
The logo
Development – the logo was developed by Jenna Lee (Larrakia artist at Gilimbaa) with input from the CREMS team and the Gilimbaa Indigenous working group. The logo and branding of Strong & Deadly Futures was developed to represent the engaging and culturally safe place that the program provides to all students. The logo and branding needed to show cultural strengths, positivity, empowerment, safety, bubbly3, cultural inclusivity and to be youthful, but also mature4.
Logo build up and meaning - Starting from the strengths of the individual, which get expanded and supported by knowledge and learning with peers through the program. After the program the individual will now have access to multiple strong and deadly futures, supported by peers, informed and self-determined.
The font is chosen to be bold and strong, like the name and the program. The horizontal line under the ampersand (&), represents the strong foundation the program will provide the students for their future.
Support for the logo – We are confident that the logo will be well-received by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, non-Indigenous students and their teachers as it has been developed by the Gilimbaa Indigenous working group. The logo was well-received by our team. We have also presented the logo to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and school staff who were very positive about the logo and thought it looked cool and colourful and they indicated they would engage with something that looks like this.
Further design elements:
Embedding the logo, name and design elements in the website that will be hosting the program:
1 Gilimbaa formed a working group of experienced communication professionals and young Aboriginal artists and designers from Goreng Goreng, Larrakia, South Seas and Quandamooka nations. This working group leads the design and development of all characters and illustration styles and is responsible for guiding and overseeing the language and content of the scripts. They also review all project content to ensure it is authentic, appropriate and engaging for Aboriginal young people nationally.
2 ‘Deadly’ is a common word used in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and means cool/awesome/strong.
3 Based on the personalities of the students we have been working with in developing the program.
4 Young people aged 12-14 like to see themselves as adults and to be treated as mature people, but they are also still children.