Research into Possible Themes

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Initial Thoughts
(1) Illegal Migration Bill
- https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/understanding-the-governments-problematic-new-asylum-bill/
- https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9747/
​- https://news.sky.com/story/almost-45-000-migrants-have-entered-uk-since-rwanda-deal-was-announced-analysis-shows-12857309
- ​​https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rwanda-asylum-seekers-small-boats-b2319923.html
- ​https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/illegal-migration-bill
(2) Waste and Recycling Myths
- www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/rubbish-waste/waste-myth-buster-information/waste-and-recycling-myths-busted.aspx
- https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/plastic-recycling-export-incineration/#:~:text=The%20sad%20truth%20is%20that,people%20aren't%20recycling%20enough.
- ​https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish
(3) Asthma and damp/mould vs. water providers losing 25% of water to leaks in buildings
- https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/can-damp-and-mould-affect-my-health/
- https://awhsolicitors.co.uk/articles/housing-disrepair/damp-mould-and-asthma/
- ​https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/19/water-firms-england-wales-litres-leaky-pipes-ofwat
(4) Common Misconceptions on ADHD
- NHS overview
- ADHD UK (charity run by people with ADHD) homepage 
- Late diagnosis in women and people of colour (New York Times article)
- Staring Back At Me: campaign to raise awareness for ADHD in women and non-binary people
- ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity 
- Psychiatry UK ADHD Info
Notes
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1) 'we're all a little ADHD' - anyone can experience these symptoms, but for those with ADHD, it is to an extreme degree i.e. the inability to focus for hours on end, everyday (executive dysfunction).
2) Hyperactivity/visible traits only. ADHD manifests differently in everyone and especially in women, many hide and mask their ADHD traits from a young age because of gender roles. This results in late diagnoses for women with ADHD, most recently Sue Perkins opened up about her diagnosis at 51.
3) It's not something you grow out of - many adults have late diagnoses.
4) ADHD does not affect intelligence - those with ADHD are not 'lazy' or 'stupid'
I think I'll focus on the misconceptions:
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- it's not just boys! The most common stereotype is of a loud and disruptive boy bouncing around the walls.
- hyperactivity isn't just physical - hyperactive minds (racing thoughts) are also a trait. There are plenty of invisible symptoms. 
Existing Examples (Instagram Infographics/Comics)
Not all of these examples are about ADHD, but I am also looking at the different ways to present information in a concise and engaging manner. Most of these artists are diagnosed with ADHD and produce work (often in comic format) based on their own experiences.
Pina Varnel
Bex Ollerton
Alice Gendron
Sarah Andersen
Kaitlyn Quach

Mascot Ideas

After boiling each character down to their basic traits, the shapes I'd reduced them to made me think of the weepuls (promo pompoms with googly eyes). I was set on the idea as making weepuls would be an engaging activity for children to do in the classroom (my target audience) and my main aim was to have mascots that could be easily recreated.

​I photographed my step-by-step as I could make an instruction sheet from it.
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Hyperactive, Inattentive, Combined

Ideas for Taglines

These would go on the weepuls' ribbons (most likely printed on paper). I will try out the bionic reading method for my tagline text. The BR method has been reported as greatly helpful by some people with ADHD. Although standard type should also work fine for the taglines.

​I have been advised to use snappier taglines, which would be beneficial for both me and the hypothetical school children I'm making this for.
Other key pieces of advice were to make the mascots more representative of ADHD and to remember who the 'protest' pack is for.

Initial attempt to characterise my mascots with possible slogans:
'Racing thoughts?
Let's do sports!'
​- Hyper
'It's not just loud boys!'
​- Natt
'Being Combined means I'm one of a kind!'
​- Combi

​I tried drawing the mascots digitally, but I don't like how the lines look. It just doesn't have the energy I want. Staying with analogue ink made for more fluid lines, anyway. 
Hyper and Combi are the first five letters of the original words, but I chose Natt over Inatt since it's easier to pronounce.

I decided to change Combi to purple because the blended blue and red is too dark of a tone, it simply won't sit right.

Assets

These can be for making posters and as another activity for children - to customise the mascots.
Hyper
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Samples using layout paper
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In terms of usage, I'd keep the drawings in this layout of separate sheets so they can be freely cut and glued onto the body.
Natt
Combi
Each mascot will have A4 sheets with these assets and some taglines on, making them quite flexible to use. I chose A4 as school printers will have plenty in stock, not to mention the only other materials needed are scissors and glue. They could be part of classroom displays, or for a day where teachers have a session informing the children of ADHD and its most common misconceptions (not just boys, has invisible traits). 

FINAL OUTCOME

I chose a font I made for a previous project because of its varying stroke width, which resembles the bionic reading method, but has a more organic appearance that complements my drawings.