Flight

This was one of those projects where every stroke carries meaning. I had the honor of creating this illustration for the suicide prevention helpline, 113 Zelfmoordpreventie, as a thank-you to their volunteers.

These are the people who listen and offer light when the world feels impossibly heavy. How do you capture that in a single image? The green woodpecker became the answer: laser-focused vision, offering a new perspective beyond the dense forest. Grounded on steady legs, yet ready to take flight. Its bright red tail a quiet nod to the hero’s cape they wear when they’re answering the helpline.

My aim was to balance warmth, strength and hope, without losing sight of the weight of their work. I’ve included my mood board and sketches, as well as the final postcard that was sent to the volunteers, as a small reminder of the impact they make.