Website designer Heather Pinheiro won the 2022 365: AIGA Year in Design award for Power + Voice, a website that serves as a resource for those seeking reproductive rights access and provides information on the history of the Roe v. Wade case.
A 2010 graduate of the art and design program at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Pinheiro shares her motivation for the project in her own words:
My grandmother was a passionate human rights activist. When I was young, she would tell me stories about protests she organized and rallies she attended. She fought tirelessly for women’s rights, and I had always admired her for paving the way not just for her own family, but for all women.
My grandmother passed away just before the landmark Roe v. Wade decision was overturned in 2022. I thought about everything she fought for, the impact this would have on all women, and I felt a surge of anger. This anger became the driving force behind Power + Voice.
The aftermath of Roe v. Wade’s reversal inundated women with conflicting information. It became increasingly difficult to discern reputable sources from deceptive ones. Questions swirled around abortion laws, access to birth control, clinic regulations, and the legal implications of seeking an abortion post-Supreme Court ruling. Determined to provide clarity, I decided to gather as much information as possible and compiled all these comprehensive resources in one accessible platform. I spent months conducting interviews with legal experts, lawmakers, and women sharing their abortion experiences.
I have been a web designer for more than 10 years, and I could not think of a better time to put my design skills to use than on this project. I sought to craft not just an informative platform but a narrative-driven experience. We are visual creatures, so this story needed to be told through powerful design.
Through this project, I aimed to showcase the transformative potential of design in effecting positive change. I hope that emerging designers recognize the capacity of their craft to empower and uplift communities. Truly great design transcends aesthetics; it fosters understanding and mobilizes action.
