Caterina Bianchini creates empowering posters for Irish abortion rights group Room for Rebellion

Founded by Isis O’Regan in February 2017, Room for Rebellion is a campaign group for abortion rights that hosts events across Dublin, Belfast and London. In its first year it’s fostered a large community across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, raising funds for the Abortion Support Network and awareness for women’s rights, protesting “archaic laws and prejudice”. For a series of club nights held by the group, graphic designer Caterina Bianchini has created posters that aim to embody the group’s feeling of solidarity and hope.

Abstract, illustrative depictions are framed by a contrastingly Brutalist hand-drawn type border, together conveying femininity and strength. “The message had to be loud and clear, as the main aim is to create awareness, so the type is the main focal point but I still wanted to keep a level of beauty and art within the compositions,” Caterina describes.

The images at the centre are therefore designed to feel natural, delicate and beautiful, Caterina says, fusing pale and vivid colours. They were made using a combination of hand-cut shapes, for a tactile aesthetic, before being developed in Illustrator. The text draws on the designer’s penchant for idiosyncratic type. “I like creating type that goes against the usual graphic design rules,” she says. “This relates to tracking mainly, by squishing or extending type to create a warped and unique character set. I basically like it to look a bit bad/wrong. I like to play with the contours of the characters as well, so some sides are sharp and others have a more rounded/humanist feel to them.”

The posters include information about all three coinciding events, with the intention to show unity across the cities within Room for Rebellion’s “sisterhood”. Isis and co-founder Hollie Boston plan to grow the events, and launch their next party when the date for Ireland’s abortion law referendum in May is announced. “Regardless of the outcome, these girls will continue to fight for women’s reproductive rights,” Caterina concludes. “As for the designs, I’ll always try to create artwork people want to put on their walls, so it can be a talking point and even more people can learn about the cause.”

The next Room for Rebellion night is on 23 March 2018 – find out more here.