MADSSITE.

Maddison Rutter-MalleyEST—2025

DSS Redress.


In response to historical harm—A sensitive, trauma-informed video series empowering survivors to navigate the National Redress Scheme.
 2020
Australia







CONTEXT

The National Redress Scheme was established as part of the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services, in response to the Royal Commission’s investingation into institutional child sexual abuse. Its purpose is to acknowledge the harm caused, provide support to survivors, and guide them through a process of seeking redress.
CHALLENGE
    We were tasked to develop a series of four informative videos, each ranging from 7–10 minutes, for use on the Scheme’s website and related channels. The aim was to clearly communicate the services available and support those seeking redress—delivering clarity, compassion, and safety throughout. 

    The content had to communicate complex, highly sensitive topics with utmost care. Key creative and technical considerations included:

      • Ensuring trauma-informed communication to support a viewer base that may include survivors; Creating inclusive and non-identifying visuals, especially when depicting human figures; Adhering to strict accessibility standards (WCAG), while maintaining brand integrity; Delivering emotionally safe content without compromising engagement or clarity; Producing consistent, adaptable design elements that could be reused as part of broader brand collateral.

    SOLUTION

    We developed a visually sensitive and emotionally intelligent approach rooted in animation, kinetic typography, and accessible design.

      • Emtionally safe visual language: Characters were illustrated without reference to age, gender, ethnicity, or expression—minimising potential triggers while maintaining human relatability.

      • Calm and structured storytelling: A sketched, organic illustration style conveyed warmth and approachability, supported by softened brand colours to meet strict WCAG accessibility standards. Blending kinetic type with animation allowed us to pace the storytelling in a calming, structured way—reinforcing key messages while avoiding overwhelming visual elements.Typography played an expressive role, using variations of the brand font (Roboto) alongside a contrasting typeface (Lobster Two) to create softness and human tone.

      • We created a 175+ bespoke icon library, used to build scenes and delivered as reusable brand collateral.

      • Co-designed with experts: Close collaboration with client stakeholders and the Blue Knot Foundation ensured content was grounded in trauma-informed best practice.

    IMPACT

      The final video series provided a clear, trauma-informed pathway for viewers to understand and access support through the National Redress Scheme. It balanced emotional sensitivity with accessibility, offering inclusive visuals, calm pacing, and multilingual potential. The work not only deepened trust in the Scheme but also equipped the client with a reusable library of visual assets for ongoing communication.

      The series reflects a thoughtful balance between clarity, creativity, and compassion—demonstrating how design can support healing, not just information.

      CREDITS
      Various
      i. Maddison Rutter-Malley: Creative Lead
      ii. Bill Nelson: Illustration
      iii. Hayley Dinnison: Animation
      iv: Luke Agius: Sound Design

      Comissioned By
      Australian Government

      Produced By       Blackfisch Films

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