Designing With Respect: Creativity in Commemorative Projects

Projects that honour service require a fundamentally different approach to design.

Unlike commercial work aimed at differentiation or visibility, these projects require sensitivity, restraint and a focus on storytelling that honours history and lived experience. The creative goal is not to dominate attention but to provide a space for reflection, remembrance and emotional connection.

Every design decision carries weight, from typography and colour to layout and imagery. Choices must be contextually appropriate, ensuring that the work resonates with diverse audiences without feeling performative or inauthentic. This type of work often challenges conventional design and marketing approaches, demanding careful consideration at every level. Research on heritage and museum design emphasises that subtlety and authenticity create the strongest emotional impact¹, while the Australian War Memorial notes that commemorative design should prioritise respect and clarity to allow visitors to meaningfully engage with history².

This approach was central to projects such as the Melbourne Korean War Memorial, where the design translated stories of service and sacrifice into a physical, enduring experience. Every element – from curved bridge structures referencing the Taegeuk to perforated panels allowing personal remembrances – was considered for its emotional and symbolic impact. Similarly, the Anzac Appeal campaign used personal artefacts and veteran stories to guide the creative, allowing narratives to take centre stage while design supported and framed the experience.

In a world dominated by over-commercialisation and attention warfare, creating space for stories to breathe is increasingly challenging. 

Commemorative design is uniquely sensitive because it is not about promotion or differentiation – it is about people, memory and respect. Designers are tasked with conveying real stories of sacrifice, loss and courage, while creating an environment that allows audiences to reflect and connect. 

Achieving this requires a level of restraint, empathy and skill that goes beyond aesthetics. When well executed, such design honours the people and stories it represents, allowing history and lived experience to resonate deeply – and ensuring that audiences engage with the work with understanding, respect and emotional connection.

References

¹ Poynor, R. (2003) No More Rules: Graphic Design and Postmodernism. London: Laurence King Publishing.

² Australian War Memorial (2022) Exhibition Design Principles. Canberra: Australian War Memorial Publications.