Changemakers: Helping the Open University encourage young people to get involved in politics

The story of how I helped the Open University create a distinctive bilingual website for its Changemakers initiative.

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The challenge

The Open University invited me to design a visual identity and bilingual website for Changemakers, a project that encourages young people in Cymru/Wales to become more involved in politics and social change. The website needed to educate, inform, and inspire while making politics feel welcoming.

University websites often include dense content, institutional language, and visual clichés. My challenge was to create something that felt approachable and energetic without losing the credibility expected of an educational project.

My approach

If you want people to become involved, a design needs to make participation feel possible. I looked beyond traditional political campaigns and explored styles from youth movements, protest graphics, fanzines and music magazines, and independent publishing.

The solution

I designed a bilingual visual identity inspired by the graphic language of youth campaigns. Then, I developed a bold new logo and a vibrant colour palette. Eye-catching photography introduce each section, which helps the website feel approachable and engaging.

I developed an interactive Eleventy prototype so the Open University’s team could watch the design process unfold. The finished Changemakers website is built on a bilingual content management system that makes publishing new content straightforward.

Behind the design

Research played a huge part in shaping this project. I immersed myself in the visual language of organisations including the Anti-Nazi League, CND, Red Wedge, and Rock Against Racism. I studyied their posters, leaflets, fanzines, and merchandising. Rather than copying their styles, I was influenced by their energy and I channelled it into a visual language that felt appropriate for a new generation.

The result

This new website gives Changemakers a bilingual identity that feels optimistic and welcoming. It encourages young people to explore becoming more involved in politics and social change. The Open University also now has a platform which makes it straightforward to publish new content.

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Andy is a bloomin’ creative genius, he really is! I massively appreciate not only his talent, but also his commitment to making this project a success.

What this project demonstrates

People are more likely to become involved when they can imagine themselves being part of something. By combining editorial layouts, eye-catching photography, and bold typography, I helped Changemakers create a website that encourages people to participate by making politics feel accessible and welcoming.