INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
#PauseThePost Campaign
Empowering Young Audiences to Stop the Spread of Misinformation Online.
Overview
A digital awareness campaign focused on combating the spread of social media misinformation by targeting young adults (ages 16–24). The goal of this personal project is to empower users by introducing a moment of friction before sharing potentially false content, reinforcing the message that users have the power to stop false stories from rippling into real-world harm.
Role
Visual Designer
Product Designer
Skills
User Research
Visual Communication
Branding Systems
Typography & Layout
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Figma
Duration
1 week
THE PROBLEM SPACE
When False Information Spreads Faster Than the Truth
The ultimate goal of the visual message is not just to inform, but to directly trigger a behavioral call to action: Think critically before reposting or sharing.
“How can I encourage young users to pause and verify before reposting misinformation, without sounding preachy or judgmental?"
RESEARCH & STRATEGY
Validating the Problem Through Facts
The critical insight is the speed of social media sharing, with algorithms rewarding engagement and creating a loop where users prioritize reaction and speed over verification and accuracy.
01
Faster Than Facts
02
News is Social
Analyzing the Target Audience
This campaign primarily targets young adults (ages 16-24) who are avid social media users. While the campaign serves to educate the public about the consequences of misinformation and media literacy, it particularly focuses on the young demographic who interact more actively on social media platforms.
Behavioral Qualities
Design Implication
Emotionally Responsive
They are highly empathetic and quick to react to emotionally charged content or provocative headlines.
Speaking Their Language
Bold and direct visuals that resonate with the digital experience.
Overwhelmed Sharer
While aware of misinformation on the internet, they are simply overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content, leading to fast shares over verification.
Empowering Action
Framing the core message around personal power rather than blame or warning resonates with user's desire for positive impact.
Desire for Truth
They want to be seen as informed and responsible, but want verification tools that are quick and accessible.
Targeting the Moment
Placing the campaign directly in their feeds (with social graphics) and high-traffic areas to force the mental interruption where they need it most.
THE DESIGN SYSTEM
Creating the Brand Identity
Before diving into the final designs, I created a simple branding template for the campaign. I chose the overall palette and style to include high-contrast elements to establish an immediate, authoritative presence that empowers the user to act.
FINAL DESIGNS
Social Media Carousel
The goal of this multi-panel social media design is to adapt to the user's habitual scroll flow and prompt a moment of reflection. By mimicking the way content is consumed, it visually educates users about the how misinformation spreads and its consequences, delivering a call-to-action.
High-Traffic Billboard
This simple over comprehensive design is intended to make a large-scale public statement that visually reinforces the core message of the campaign. Using high contrast and bold typography ensured that the message stays legible in a fleeting view.
REFLECTIONS
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
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