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Following an increase in the number of phishing attempts targeted at students, Coventry University commissioned a multi-platform campaign bringing their members’ attention to the issue and highlighting Coventry University IT Services’ top tips for spotting a phishing email to combat the problem.

Playing on the word ‘phishing’, Phisherman Phil was created as the main character within this campaign as someone phishing for information. To illustrate how information requests can be received very differently, online and in person, Phisherman Phil is portrayed as having two sides, illustrating the fact that you would be very unlikely to agree to such requests in person but it can be harder to spot in the online/digital work. In the outside world, he is illustrated with a bright, engaging colour palette drawing on the reference of a traditional looking, friendly fisherman with the yellow mac, white beard, and wellies. In the online, digital world he is illustrated in a very different way, his hood and collar up to conceal his identity. The dark colour palette reveals the more sinister side to the people behind phishing attacks, emphasising the risk that can come with falling foul to such an attack.

Coventry University has a diverse mix of students. To represent the true demographics of their student base, I created 6 different students to feature within the animation (considering age, gender, and ethnicity) showing that any individual can be the target of a phishing attack. The illustration style was carefully chosen to target the youth, student market conveying the wide demographics present. To help the campaign hit home even more with the target audience, I integrated location-specific landmarks and features into the designs, allowing the audience to instantly relate the important messages to themselves and their place of study: Coventry University.

For this campaign, I created a series of illustrations for the animation alongside digital assets that can be displayed online and throughout the University campus and its buildings. Graphics created for socials meant the reach of Coventry University IT Service’s campaign could be extended further than simply the University campus, to staff and students alike.

Animation by Joel Davidson.

Work completed through Phoenix Creative.

 

Phisherman Phil

Phisherman Phil

Phisherman Phil

Phisherman Phil

Phisherman Phil

Phisherman Phil

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