On Australia’s Survival Day (aka Australia Day) this year, a long and important R/GA project came to fruition. R/GA, in collaboration with Yuin Nation Hip hop artist, producer, and radio host, Nooky, launched We are Warriors – a first-of-its-kind platform created to celebrate Blak excellence and drive positive change in the lives of the next generation of Indigenous youth.
R/GA Australia’s newest practice, Brand Design & Consulting, has won Best in Show for its We Are Warriors work at the Australian Graphic Design Association’s (AGDA) Design Awards, which took place in Sydney on Saturday, November 12. We Are Warriors won in a number of categories as the single most outstanding entry for 2022.
We Are Warriors began when Nooky approached R/GA, sharing his personal story with Ben Miles, R/GA VP executive creative director, brand design & consulting R/GA APAC, and asking for help to elevate Indigenous Australians, who were being crushed by stereotypes.
We are Warriors has been engaging the Indigenous youth community in Australia ever since through a content series of interviews, community-run workshops, and limited edition merchandise. Proceeds raised from the merchandise are being invested into further content development, and an overarching roadmap that will continue to build awareness among everyday Australians.
Ben Miles, executive creative director brand innovation, R/GA Australia, stated at the time, “Systemic racism and the events that unfolded globally over the past two years, serve as a reminder of the continued changes needed in our society. For Indigenous youth growing up in Australia, there has not been an accessible platform to discover relatable, First Nations role models. The goal is to educate ourselves more deeply on the issues Indigenous peoples face, and create an environment in which all Australians feel seen, heard, and have equal opportunity.”
The evolving platform highlights the prolific power of Indigenous achievements across music, fashion, sport, and other industries and is designed to support and invest in the next generation of leaders by providing them access to a wide range of workshops, mentorship, and support. The project is ongoing. R/GA is developing it with a new cohort of warriors, upcoming partnerships, product collaborations, and a documentary in the works.
R/GA won ten awards in total, including four Pinnacles awards, out of seven awarded on the night, four Distinctions awards, two Judges’ Choice Awards, and ten Merits for brand partners including, We Are Warriors, The Museum of Chinese in Australia (MOCA), The Australian League and Timberland’s TimbsTrails.
