Design > Communication Design

THE ENDANGERED TYPEFACE

BAR OGILVY, Lisbon / ANF|WWF & JARDIM ZOOLÓGICO DE LISBOA / 2024

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Overview

Credits

Overview

Why is this work relevant for Design?

From 100% solid to barely visible, each of the 26 letters had to be designed one by one in 5 versions, each corresponding to one of the 5 different levels of extinction risk, from Least Concern to Endangered. As the look of the font is determined by the message it wants to transmit, it’s a genuine example of form and function aligned.

A limited edition of 26 numbered screen prints, one for each letter, was sold to support conservation projects. The number of posters for each letter is proportional to the number of remaining individuals.

Is this product available for purchase?

Anyone can download the font for free. However, a limited edition of 26 numbered screen prints, one for each letter, was sold to support conservation projects. The number of posters for each letter is proportional to the number of remaining individuals.

Please provide any cultural context that would help the Jury understand any cultural, national or regional nuances applicable to this work.

ANP|WWF is responsible for various wildlife conservation projects in Portugal. Besides that, no cultural, national or regional nuances are applicable to this work. The extinction of species is a global problem.

Background

Earth is facing the sixth mass extinction, which puts around 75% of species at risk of disappearing. A global threat that requires urgent action. But, despite the scale and time sensitive nature of such a massive threat, this subject is far for the spotlight and public debate. The main objective of this project was to build awareness and, with that, get society involved.

Describe the creative idea

Earth faces the 6th mass extinction: 75% of species may soon disappear. It’s urgent to involve society in this global threat.

The Endangered Typeface is connected to the RED LIST of Threatened Species, showcasing the status of 26 species. Each letter represents an animal. The fewer individuals, the more the letter disappears. People can download the font, donate and use it to spread the word.

When a species extinction risk changes, people automatically receive the font update by email.

A limited edition of 26 numbered screen prints, one for each letter, was sold to support conservation projects. The number of posters for each letter is proportional to the number of remaining individuals.

Describe the execution

Each of the 26 letters was individually designed in 5 versions, each corresponding to one of the 5 different levels of extinction risk: from 100% solid/Least Concern to barely visible/Endangered. Data gathered from the RED LIST determines what version of each letter is part of The Endangered Typeface at any given moment.

All design and art direction aimed to present the data in the clearest way.

A website was built, where the font was made available. Being a dynamic font, video assets were given preference to in the campaign.

The campaign was launched on May 22nd, 2023, International Biodiversity Day.

On Instagram we recruited 26 digital influencers to introduce each letter.

On World Wildlife Day (March 3rd, 2024), a limited edition of 26 numbered screen prints was launched, one for each letter. The number of posters for each letter was proportional to the number of remaining individuals of that species.

List the results

10 000+ people already using The Endangered Typeface can get a clear idea of each species current status and spread the word.

On a limited budget, the campaign reached €1.1M+ in earned media, 3,5M impressions, 1,8M reach and made news in 17 countries.

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