IWD showcases fabulous creative talent using design skills to highlight a focus on gender equality
Throughout history, art has helped movements gain momentum.
Today, lettering artists continue the tradition by crafting engaging visuals that convey messages of empowerment and solidarity.
International Women’s Day (IWD) provides an important opportunity for creative expression, particularly through the art of lettering, to help amplify voices and spark conversations about gender equality.
Each year the IWD Lettering Challenge, in association with the global Typism community, showcases the impressive talent of creators who lend their creative design skills to support an annual IWD gender equality awareness raising campaign.
A brilliantly talented creative, Tania Hearn, offers her IWD 2026 Give to Gain design.
"As a lettering artist and muralist, I believe words have the power to shape culture, and not just decorate walls. This mobile mural was created in response to the International Women’s Day 2026 theme Give to Gain, and for my submission to Typism’s global lettering challenge. Designed to be bold and optimistic, the artwork represents a world where people lift each other up, where collaboration creates change and generosity fuels opportunity. I’ve gathered the colours, primed the panels, crafted the design and projected it to start painting."
A feeling of quiet generosity without expectation
For Tania, Give To Gain means giving without keeping score - sharing time, skills, encouragement, or resources simply because it helps someone else.
“Often the gain isn’t tangible. It’s connection, community, learning or seeing someone else thrive. What resonates most is the feeling of quiet generosity without expectation,” explains Tania.
Tania adds that International Women’s Day is a time to recognize collective strength, particularly the impact of women advocating and actively contributing to equity.
“It reminds me of how powerful collaboration can be and how strong connections are made when we genuinely show up and celebrate each other's progress,” adds Tania.
Exploring how generosity creates growth
Tania explains the concept behind her powerful IWD design.
She started with the botanicals and added the lettering later, building up the composition to feel interconnected and abundant.
"My botanical design explores generosity creating growth, where shared energy is given freely to expand communities and connections. It's a reminder to recognise our collective strength, to advocate for, and contribute to, equity, and to celebrate each other's progress," says Tania. "The hands represent offering/receiving, and the layered botanicals symbolise what flourishes when we support each other. It’s about shared energy - when something is given freely, our communities and connections expand."
“If you look closely, you can see the middle letters are all connected — this took some time in Illustrator, then I imported the text into Procreate. I wanted the piece to feel collaborative in spirit — like many small contributions coming together to create something bold and alive,” adds Tania.
Creating designs that connect and inspire
Tania Hearn is an Australian designer and lettering artist, designer, and illustrator transforming brands and creative spaces while turning words into murals and art.
Her work explores visual storytelling and motion to make engaging designs that connect and inspire.
Share your creative talent with the world
Get involved with the annual IWD Lettering Challenge by creating your own piece and sharing your creative spirit with the world.
Post your creation on your social media feeds using the hashtags #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #IWDtypism for a chance to be featured throughout the year.
Together, let's Give to Gain and help forge gender equality through abundant giving.