Key Points
- A striking new art campaign created by two Middlesex University students, Graphic Design student Helena Lara and Illustration student Jessica Lynch, is on display at over 40 bus shelters around Barnet for two weeks.
- The campaign raises awareness of online aggression towards women and girls as part of the UN’s annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, focusing this year on digital abuse.
- The three posters were selected in a competition run by London Borough of Barnet with Middlesex University.
- Students from creative disciplines developed designs to raise awareness of digital harm towards women and girls, encourage reporting of abuse, and recruit male allies to change attitudes and behaviour.
- Jessica Lynch, aged 26, developed the phrases for each poster and created hand-drawn illustrations using chalk pastels on black paper.
- Helena Lara, aged 20, handled the typography and composition using a grid system for clear and consistent messaging.
- The first poster features a chalk-drawn monster looming over a computer screen to highlight hidden abusers behind digital violence.
- The second poster promotes Barnet Council’s online domestic abuse support resources.
- The third poster encourages men and boys to be part of the solution, directing viewers to the website www.barnet.gov.uk/StepIn.
- The artists aimed for vivid colours, textures, simple, relevant, and engaging imagery with encouraging and inclusive messages rather than accusatory ones.
- Helena Lara hopes viewers take a moment to reflect on their role and demand change.
- Jessica Lynch notes online aggression towards women and girls is a serious problem deserving more discussion, citing personal knowledge of affected women.
Inverted Pyramid Structure
A compelling art campaign by Middlesex University students Helena Lara and Jessica Lynch has launched at over 40 bus shelters in Barnet, North London, to tackle online misogyny and digital abuse against women and girls. The three posters, displayed for two weeks, emerged victorious from a competition organised by London Borough of Barnet and Middlesex University to coincide with the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. This initiative spotlights hidden online abusers, promotes reporting resources, and calls men to ally in cultural change.
What Inspired the Campaign?
The campaign aligns with the UN’s annual 16 Days of Activism, which in 2025 emphasises digital abuse as a pressing form of gender-based violence. As detailed in the original announcement from Middlesex University sources, students from creative disciplines received an invitation to craft designs addressing three core goals: raising awareness of digital harm towards women and girls; encouraging abuse reporting; and recruiting male allies to shift attitudes and behaviours. The posters by Helena Lara, a 20-year-old Graphic Design student, and Jessica Lynch, a 26-year-old Illustration student, stood out to judges for their clarity, strong design, and broad appeal to diverse audiences.
Jessica Lynch explained the creative process, noting that she developed the phrases for each poster and produced illustrations by hand using chalk pastels on black paper. Helena Lara complemented this by managing typography and composition through a grid system, ensuring messaging remained clear and consistent.
“We liked the vivid colours and textures, and we wanted the imagery to be simple, relevant and engaging with messages that were encouraging and inclusive rather than accusatory or lecturing,”
Jessica Lynch stated, as reported in coverage from Barnet Council channels.
Who Are the Artists Behind the Posters?
Helena Lara and Jessica Lynch, both Middlesex University students, brought complementary skills to the project. Helena, aged 20, focused on typographic elements and layout.
“Our different skills complemented each other, and we stayed in constant communication to share ideas and make sure we were both happy with the final designs,”
Helena Lara remarked, according to details shared in the university’s press release.
Jessica Lynch, 26, handled the illustrative and phrasing aspects, drawing from personal insights into the issue.
“Online aggression towards women and girls is a serious problem that deserves more discussion. I know lots of women who have suffered online abuse,”
she added, highlighting the campaign’s relevance. Both artists expressed thrill at their selection, with their work now visible across Barnet to spark public reflection on digital misogyny.
What Do the Posters Depict?
The three posters employ striking chalk pastel visuals on black paper for dramatic effect. The first depicts a chalk-drawn monster looming over a computer screen, symbolising the hidden abusers perpetrating digital violence, as described in the competition brief from London Borough of Barnet.
The second poster directs attention to Barnet Council’s online domestic abuse support resources, providing practical guidance for those affected. The third features a call-to-action aimed at men and boys, urging them to join the solution and visit www.barnet.gov.uk/StepIn for involvement. These elements combine to educate, empower reporting, and foster allyship without confrontation.
Why Was This Campaign Launched in Barnet?
London Borough of Barnet partnered with Middlesex University to host the competition, selecting Helena and Jessica’s designs amid entries from various creative students. The two-week display at over 40 bus shelters maximises visibility in North London, targeting commuters and residents during the UN activism period. Barnet Council’s involvement underscores local commitment to combating gender-based violence, particularly its online manifestations.
The campaign’s focus on inclusivity avoids lecturing tones, instead using engaging visuals to prompt thought. Helena Lara hopes,
“I hope when people see our posters, they take a moment to think about this issue, any role they play, and the importance of continuing to demand change,”
as quoted in the university’s coverage.
How Does the Campaign Address Online Misogyny?
By visualising abstract digital threats—like the monster over the screen—the posters make online aggression tangible. Jessica Lynch’s phrases reinforce positive action, while Helena Lara’s design ensures readability. This approach appeals to multiple audiences, including potential male allies, aligning with the competition’s recruitment goal.
Both artists emphasise collaboration: constant communication refined their output. The result thrills them, as their work now amplifies discourse on a issue Jessica Lynch deems “serious,” affecting many known to her.
What Is the UN’s 16 Days of Activism?
The UN’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence runs annually, with 2025 highlighting digital abuse. Barnet and Middlesex University timed the campaign to this global effort, inviting student designs to localise the message. The posters’ selection reflects success in meeting briefs for awareness, reporting encouragement, and ally recruitment.
Where Can the Public Engage Further?
Viewers encounter the posters at over 40 Barnet bus shelters for two weeks from launch. The third poster links to www.barnet.gov.uk/StepIn, Barnet Council’s platform for stepping in against abuse. This resource supports reporting and ally actions, extending the campaign’s impact.
What Impact Do the Artists Anticipate?
Helena Lara envisions pauses for reflection: roles in the issue and demands for change. Jessica Lynch seeks broader discussion on online aggression’s toll. Their inclusive designs aim to engage without alienating, potentially shifting behaviours in Barnet and beyond.
