Rethika Athukorala

I was asked to develop an Activation campaign on a social issue which I thought deserved some recognition. I decided to develop my campaign on the issue of screen addiction as it is something that is becoming increasingly more dangerous in our society. The title of my campaign is called “Beyond the Screen” and the slogan is “Disconnect to stay connected”. For this campaign I created a functional website to help raise awareness and educate people about the growing issue of screen addiction. It also provides people with access to free resources that can help them understand their addiction and help them to overcome it.

I developed a mockup Instagram account for the campaign, aiming to reach people who spend significant time on social media. The posts were designed to be simple yet engaging, highlighting the benefits of reduced screen time in a visually appealing way. I wanted to re-frame some key terms that are important to the digital space, “Connect“ and “Network”. By reframing these terms, the campaign aims to inspire viewers to connect more deeply offline, building meaningful bonds beyond the screen.

I created a series of three posters that combine brief yet impactful slogans with visually strong images. They convey the importance of reducing screen time and engaging more with the world around us. The intent behind these designs was to display them in locations where phone usage tends to be high, such as public transportation, waiting areas, or other communal spaces.

The concept draws inspiration from other screen addiction posters and illustrations, creatively using imagery and slogans to capture attention and prompt reflection on screen overuse. I wanted to visually convey the feeling of being trapped in this alternate reality that is so hard to escape.

The billboard titled “Life won’t wait for you to stop scrolling” serves as a striking reminder of the moments we missed while being consumed in our devices, particularly when driving or walking along the road. The phrase captures attention by urging viewers to prioritise real-world experiences over digital interactions, emphasising that life’s valuable moments won’t pause while they’re scrolling.

I drew inspiration from other safety billboards that encourage drivers not to use their phones while driving as it can be extremely dangerous. The design is intentionally simple and bold, allowing viewers to instantly grasp the message as they pass by.

For my digital publishing class I was asked to create a website that finds connections between a technological element and a natural occurrence. "Divine Intentions" is a promotional website for a psychic app that draws parallels between Bluetooth technology and natural external connections. The app allows users to share data, like photos and notes, with their selected psychic via Bluetooth. Once the data is shared, the psychic performs a reading based on the customer's chosen service.

The "Divine Intentions" app is partially functional. Once a customer has shared their data, via Bluetooth their psychic can perform services ranging from tarot card readings to palm readings. Drawing inspiration from the idea of divine energy I was able to emulate the feeling of being drawn to the universe by a special invisible connection. This was done through the use of spiritual symbolism and dark colours.