Creative designers worldwide share their creative talent via the Give To Gain lettering challenge

International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 saw global lettering community, Typism, partner once again to celebrate and showcase the creativity of women worldwide and their allies.

Here, we shine a spotlight on one such artist, Clare Patrick, who shares her process for creating her artwork, and discusses what the IWD Give To Gain campaign theme means to her.

Fuelled by curiosity, ideas and coffee, Clare is a visual storyteller, graphic designer, and illustrator who creates imaginative, concept-led designs particularly focused on lettering, character, art, and motion. 

What is the concept behind your design?

I wanted to represent how we all grow within a supportive community. This is why I chose a flower. My approach was inspired by storytelling through scrapbooking - layered, tactile, and authentic.

What was your process for creating the artwork?

I began by reflecting on the purpose of International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, Give to Gain. I wrote down keywords around growth, generosity, and collective strength before sketching initial concepts. The idea of growth represented by a flower felt right. My third concept explored strong, geometric lettering, but once I brought it into Procreate, I realised the structure felt too rigid in contrast with the flower's softness. This led me to rethink the composition. I drew a stem and leaves, which allowed the lettering to form part of the plant itself.

My colour choices followed the same thinking. I wanted something bright enough to feel like a celebration, yet also soft and natural. I chose vibrant hues for the flower, a soft denim blue for the stem and leaves, and a subtle hessian texture in the background.Texture became an important part of the piece. I intentionally avoided clean, perfect lines. Instead, I used textural brushes in Procreate and even created a custom brush to mimic denim fabric. I wanted the artwork to feel handmade and imperfect, reflecting the real, layered experiences of women.

For me, this project was an exploration of balance: strength and softness, structure and flow, boldness and subtlety. I really enjoyed experimenting with lettering styles, texture, colour, and composition to bring the theme to life.

What does it mean to you to Give to Gain?

I’ve always believed that when you give to help and support others, you always gain something in return. It is never a one-way transaction. Everyone wins. Everyone grows.

I homeschooled my children for over twelve years, and during that time, I learned just as much from them as they did from me. And it was this experience, which rekindled my love of learning, that gave me the confidence to return to study myself. Having completed design studies at TAFE Queensland last year, I am now embarking on a degree in digital design.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I see International Women’s Day as both a celebration and a reminder. It celebrates women’s achievements, creativity, and strength throughout history, but it also reminds us that when we support each other and use our voices, we can make a difference. To me, it’s a positive platform for women to share their stories and experiences, inspiring others to do the same. They show us that there are many paths to take, different stages of life to embrace, and different definitions of success.

As a woman building a creative career later in life, I find it encouraging to see the diversity of women of all ages, leading, creating, mentoring, and driving change. International Women’s Day enables us to honour what has been achieved and to contribute to the future in our own unique ways.

Share your own 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 throughout the year using the hashtags #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #IWDtypism for a chance to be potentially featured.

Together, let's Give to Gain and help forge gender equality through abundant giving.