Anti-Racist Hot Dog Cards & Website Design

Client: Anti-Racist Hot Dog Initiative

Date: Early 2021

Role: Web Designer, Graphic Designer, Product Designer

Project Type: Website Design, Card Deck Design, Merchandise Design

Platforms: Websites, Product Design (Cards, Packaging, Merchandise)

The Anti-Racist Hot Dog initiative, led by architect Wandile Mthiyane, was born out of a personal experience of racial discrimination in Durban, South Africa. After being refused service based on his race, Mthiyane responded by setting up a pop-up hot dog stand on the same promenade, turning it into a space for open discussions about race and equity. This evolved into a larger initiative addressing structural racism, using architecture and community engagement as tools to create more inclusive, equitable environments

Briefing:

The Anti-Racist Hot Dog (ARHD) initiative focuses on promoting equity and inclusion through engaging, thought-provoking conversations. I was involved in two key projects:

1. ARHD Cards: A deck of cards designed to spark open-ended discussions about equity in the workplace.

2. The Anti-Racist Hot Dog (cooking show): A multi-platform initiative including a cooking show and a fundraising campaign, along with supporting websites for the brand and the card selling site.

The client needed both the visual identity and web presence to reflect the values of the initiative: equity, inclusivity, and community-building.

Concept & Idea:

The idea was to create a welcoming and engaging brand that could resonate with diverse audiences. The ARHD Cards needed to be visually appealing and approachable while addressing serious issues. The website for the cooking show and the fundraising efforts had to feel professional, yet inclusive and community-driven, matching the initiative’s tone and goals.

‍

We help companies curate, nurture and measure inclusivity through Antiracist Hotdog Parties.

‍

Design Process:

1. Website Design: I developed the official website, along with the fundraising platform and card-selling website. Each site was designed to be user-friendly, incorporating clear navigation and a bright, inviting design aesthetic to encourage engagement. For the cooking show’s website, I used bold visuals and interactive elements to draw visitors in, featuring embedded video content and calls to action to support the cause.

https://www.bonfire.com/store/anti-racist-hot-dog/

https://antiracisthotdog.thinkific.com/courses/anti-racist-hot-dog-show-S1

‍

2. ARHD Cards Design: The card deck was designed with a focus on creating a balanced visual appeal that encouraged thoughtful discussions. Each card featured a minimalist layout, combined with bold typography and colors that promoted readability while creating an inviting atmosphere for users. I also worked on the packaging design, ensuring it reflected the mission of inclusivity with a modern, sleek appearance, balancing both functionality and aesthetics.

3. Merchandise Design: I designed the aprons, shirts, and other promotional materials for the ARHD initiative, using the same color scheme and visual identity across all merchandise. The merchandise was designed to not only support the brand but also to encourage public awareness and participation in the anti-racism conversation.

‍

Stats

83% of millennials feel engaged when their company fosters an inclusive culture.

74% of millennials believe inclusive work cultures are more innovative

47% of millennials prioritize diversity when considering a future employer

‍

Employees are a lot like the bun, they hold everything together, let’s  help you make sure they have all the nutrients they need, feel valued, safe and are happy, so they can continue being awesome! - Wandile M.

‍

Testimonials

• “It was such a pleasure to have Wandile speak at the International Baccalaureate African Education Festival in Johannesburg in February 2018. What poise! What intellectual curiosity!  He shared with such passion his learning journey  and the impact of educators in his life. His ability to draw on his life experiences  and the  manner  in which he was able to interweave it with the theme of the conference was amazing. What a star for the African continent!” -Adzo Ashie, IB African Development Manager

• “We really enjoyed your presentation and found your insights invaluable to the conversations we are having as planners, architects, designers and global citizens. You gave us many good points to consider as we both design and navigate the places we inhabit and experience. We have had great feedback from our staff and we all really appreciated the discussion at the end.” -Deirdre Gould, Senior Director of Marketing, Hart Howerton

• “Wandile speaks with strength and wisdom beyond his years, based on a wealth of diverse experience gained from studying and working in Africa and North America. He is a fierce advocate for social justice and inspires others to join him in fighting for people who have been most disempowered. His Anti-Racist message is sorely needed in these times where the world is becoming even more divisive.” -Saul Cobbing, Professor, University of Kwazulu-Natal

‍

Solution (Final Design):

• ARHD Cards: The final deck of cards featured clean designs, with engaging colors and minimalist typography, providing a seamless user experience. The packaging followed a similar design aesthetic, enhancing the overall product’s appeal.

• Website Design: The various websites for the cooking show, card sales, and fundraising were designed with user-friendliness in mind, showcasing the inclusive mission of the ARHD initiative. The websites were optimized for engagement with interactive elements and simple navigation.

• Merchandise: The aprons and shirts were designed with bold, high-contrast colors and modern typography, making them visually striking while aligning with the brand’s core mission.

Outcome:

• Client Feedback: The client was highly satisfied with the cohesive branding across the websites, cards, and merchandise. The visual consistency helped strengthen the initiative’s presence across multiple platforms.

• Market Impact: The engaging card design and well-organized websites contributed to the success of the fundraising efforts and spread awareness of the initiative. The merchandise was also well-received, becoming a symbol of the initiative’s community-building mission.

‍

Reflection:

This project allowed me to work on multiple aspects of branding and design, from digital to physical products, creating a unified experience that reflected the brand’s mission. I learned the importance of visual consistency across various mediums and the role design plays in promoting social equity.

Tools Used:

• Adobe Illustrator (for card design and merchandise)

• Figma (for website wireframes and prototypes)

• Photoshop (for mockups and digital assets)

• WordPress (for website development and content management)