VANISH
For those living with autism, familiarity in routine and surroundings is essential to making them feel comfortable and safe. This extends to clothing too.
During Autism Awareness Week, in affiliation with Ambitious About Autism, Vanish wanted to create a digital campaign that accompanied their short film following Matilda, a pre-teen autistic girl who needs her favourite jumper in order to stay grounded.
I loved this brief because of the insight, centred around young autistic girls (as they are harder to diagnose than boys) . Creating work that educates and betters the world is something I want to do more of.
Idea #1
Words stain. Keep it clean.
There’s unfortunately a mass stigma surrounding all neurodivergences, but particularly with autism. I hear too often “that’s so autistic” used as a slur, and often this perpetuates a misdiagnosis culture meaning that actual autistic people’s needs are being dismissed or not recognised in the first place.
This Instagram campaign is designed to get people to polish up on their knowledge and understand how their misuse of language can tarnish, whilst reinforce that Vanish are here to clean up every stain, verbal or physical.
Idea #2.
Vanish the pink.
Inspired by the Skittles Pride campaign packaging, this concept plays into the truth that autistic people have sensory difficulties – not just with touch and sound, but also with visuals.
Browns and pinks are often the colours avoided by people on the spectrum, and softer tones of all colours are preferred.
Vanish’s hot pink branding can be distressing to those who suffer with ASD, therefore for Autism Awareness Week they’ll adjust their branding with limited edition, neutral toned packaging, and this will be the same across their social media advertising.