"Period Relief is part of Disaster Relief."
Regla Ready
Product Design & Branding Concepts
Regla Ready is a project concept that seeks to address the inaccessibility of menstrual health management in the Philippines during times of disaster. It taps into the strength of local governments for resource distribution and social media for information dissemination to reach people who menstruate during times they are most vulnerable, all united by one cohesive branding.
In 2022, the Philippines ranked #1 in natural disaster risk. Projects done by governments at the municipal level have shown that building local resilience is the key to mitigate some of the effects of these natural disasters. Interviews with women displaced by typhoons have also revealed how vital yet undersupplied hygiene necessities like pads and underwear are. Despite the abundance of relief goods donated, MHM products are always forgotten, leaving people who menstruate behind in terms of care received. Studies have found that the availability of basic hygiene resources, can have a significant effect on the MHM and mental well-being of girls in different regions in the Philippines. Creating frameworks to support women during this time can ensure that their physical and mental health can remain sound and stable.
Design Solution
Regla Ready is a project in three parts:
1) Partnerships with local governments to facilitate the design and distribution of a system to prescribe methods of MHM inclusivity
2) Awareness and education campaign to explains how and why MHM products are important resources in disaster risk management
3) Unified branding that will unite the two parts of the design solution together
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Branding
I wanted to convey levity with the visuals of my solution. With such an important topic, light and positive imagery would help attract more people into finding out more about the topic, instead of just adding to the gloom of the situation, which might turn people away.
Colour
I used different symbols to make up the supplementary elements of the project: dots and underwear for menstrual health, sparkles for cleanliness, and a heart and a cross for health. The text is friendly, and written in the de facto bilingual vernacular. The main colours used are purple (for women), red (for periods), and green (for health) in soft and warm shades.
Black & White
The same branding is used even in systems design packet for partner organisations. This one, however, is rendered in black and white, keeping in mind many governments might not have the budget to create many copies of Regla Ready. Keeping the giveaway fliers monochrome will help keep costs down as they can be photocopied easily for a low price. The systems design component is also written in English for this submission so everyone here can understand it, but will be written in Filipino if actually executed.
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Systems Design
This explainer serves as an introductory document to the project. I wanted to make sure the intent and purpose of the project is clearly conveyed even when distributed to different organisations all over the country. This includes explaining how menrstrual health care is still health care, and a step-by-step explanation like the storyboard as to how to properly use Regla Ready as a tool.
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Information Campaign
I rendered two samples of what the information campaign will contain. The first concisely explains the most important priority of this project: conveying the sobering fact that one’s health may be at risk if menstrual health is not considered. The second calls for the donation of menstrual hygiene products with a short explanation as to why it is important. Both are accompanied by brand imagery to tie the project together.
This is a mockup of what the social media page will look like on the Facebook platform when the campaign launches. Facebook is one of the most accessible social media platforms in the Philippines, since it usually comes for free on most mobile plans, making it an important avenue for information dissemination.
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Cultural Analysis
Due to the country’s economic status, community programmes must be utilised to reach the everyday Filipino. To address the digital divide, physical flyers and easily accessible online platforms must be utilised. The perception of menstrual health should focus on the long-term health effects of poor menstrual health care and the donation of these resources being as important as pantry goods. In terms of culture, I should tap into the Philippines’ donation culture and create designs that appeal to bright and fun local tastes.
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