Conservation campaign · 2026

Keep Australia Wild

An educational campaign encouraging awareness of Australia’s native wildlife and the small actions that can help protect it.

Disciplines: Campaign design
Editorial design
Social content
Role: Research, concept, editorial direction and complete design
Deliverables: Educational brochure and three social media series

A conceptual, self-directed personal project. Inspired by the conservation work of the Irwin family and Australia Zoo, but not commissioned by, affiliated with or endorsed by them.

Keep Australia Wild conservation brochure shown open, folded and closed

The context

Design shaped by a move towards Australia.

Keep Australia Wild began as a personal project to strengthen my portfolio ahead of moving to Australia. It brings together my interests in science, conservation and graphic design through a subject closely connected to the country’s identity and environment.

The opportunity was to make wildlife conservation feel approachable: introducing native species, explaining the pressures affecting them and showing how everyday choices can support healthier habitats.

The idea

Awareness becomes more useful when it leads to action.

The campaign follows a simple progression: learn about the species, understand why it matters, then identify something practical that can help. Educational facts and conservation guidance work together so the audience is not left with awareness alone.

Koalas, tawny frogmouths and sea turtles create three entry points into the wider subject. Their stories connect forest, bushland and marine ecosystems while introducing habitat loss, vehicle strikes, light pollution and plastic waste.

Visual system

A natural palette with a direct educational voice.

Muted greens, warm neutrals and species-led accent colours connect the work to the environments represented. Bold condensed display type creates urgency, while quieter supporting typography keeps facts and actions easy to navigate.

Organic line patterns, simple icons and generous space create consistency across editorial and digital formats. Photography remains central, keeping each species visible rather than turning conservation into an abstract message.

The brochure

A compact introduction designed to be kept and shared.

The folded brochure brings the campaign’s central message into one portable editorial format. It introduces major pressures on Australian wildlife, profiles selected native species and closes with achievable ways readers can make a difference.

Clear sections and strong hierarchy allow the reader to move quickly between context, species information and action. Protect, Restore, Educate gives the piece a concise closing framework.

Conservation brochure opened to show wildlife threats, featured species and practical actions — Six-panel educational conservation brochure

Reflection

One message adapted without losing its purpose.

The project allowed me to combine research-led communication with a subject I care about personally. The main challenge was condensing scientific and conservation information into short, accessible messages while retaining enough substance to remain useful.

Moving between a printed brochure and social content strengthened the system. The brochure provides a broad overview, while each digital series focuses more closely on one species, habitat and set of actions.

Credits

Research, concept, editorial direction and complete design by Gem Backhouse.

This is an independent conceptual project. Australia Zoo and the Irwin family had no involvement in its development.