Social Media Re-designs: THE:PLACE

SOCIAL MEDIA RE-DESIGNS
THE:PLACE

Software:
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Date:
12.2024

THE:PLACE is a collaborative exchange program designed to establish enduring networks between civil society organizations and local Authorities in Turkey and the European Union. Managed by European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) and Center for Spatial Justice (MAD) and supported by the Mercator Foundation the program explores empowering its participants through capacity-building activities and grant support for co-designed, exchange-based projects.

THE:PLACE has been running for 3 years and now (by early 2025) it is in its 2nd round. THE:PLACE has a unique program structure just as well as a graphic language. Yet the program constantly changes and welcomes unexpected changes in each round. In the second round, the graphic templates they had in the first place were no longer functioning as they anticipated. They needed graphic templates that offered more flexibility and were adaptable to the ever-changing audience.

In the early stages of the 2nd round I stepped in to make some changes in the graphic templates. I kept the essentials such as color palette, fonts and the basic shapes. My touch was rather intended as a rebranding staying loyal to the original design.

The original designs were static and very symbolic. So, my initial step was to break such static designs and introduce some dynamism into the layout. The data from THE:PLACE’s social media platforms showed that majority of the followers were Gen-Z and Gen-Y. So, it would make more sense to redesign the graphic templates to be rather dynamic and vibrant. So, I did that by using almost fluid-like amorphous patters in the background. In doing so I also eliminated the need for symbolic ornamentation. The line-based patterns on the background still had their own semiological meanings (implying connection, intersection, integration etc.) – yet subtle and indirect.

Later, my second step was to allow for a wide-spread layout. THE:PLACE does not often share posts on social media. But when they do, they share lots of information in a single share. The original designs were full of information, lines and icons stacked in a single page. Instead, accepting THE:PLACE’s style of sharing, I went for a design that is rather spread across pages, thus making it easier for the viewer to read and quickly understand what’s on the page.

For further detail on THE:PLACE’s program and ways of working, check the link below.