The next time you reach for a tissue, you might see an uplifting message and cheery artwork on the box thanks to UWM alum Sarah McGinnis.
Work by McGinnis is showcased in Target stores nationwide as a featured artist in an ongoing collaboration between Kleenex and Self Care is for Everyone, a collective working to raise mental health awareness.
For McGinnis, it’s a project that not only touches the lives of others but also reflects her own journey with mental health.
A creative collaboration
The project began when McGinnis, who graduated in 2013 with a BFA in design and visual communication, pitched a collaboration between Kleenex and Self Care is for Everyone at Kay James Design, where she served as art director. McGinnis went into the pitch as a fan of Self Care is for Everyone and their approach to mental health awareness.
While McGinnis did not create art the first year, she served as art director on the project, a role she found to be deeply meaningful.
“It was such a fulfilling project,” said McGinnis. “I was giving these artists an outlet and exposure on a big brand, in a big store, getting these messages out to the public. It just felt like a win-win.”
Following a successful year, McGinnis’ creative director approached her about being a featured artist. Despite some initial self-doubts, McGinnis recognized she had a story to tell.
Meaning behind the designs
Using her history of mental health challenges as inspiration, McGinnis created two designs to be featured on Kleenex boxes.
The first design includes the quote “Vulnerability isn’t weakness, it is courageous,” accompanied by an illustration of a rainbow with clouds. The second, which is McGinnis’ personal favorite, is an abstract checkerboard featuring the quote “Everyone is a work in progress.”
“I’m a work in progress, you’re a work in progress,” said McGinnis. “Somebody that is maybe having a bad day and taking it out on me; they’re a work in progress too. I think that one’s a really good reminder to slow down and not take things too seriously sometimes.”
While creating her designs, McGinnis thought back to her time living in Milwaukee, expressing appreciation for the city’s emphasis on embracing unique viewpoints.
“The Milwaukee community is just so accepting of different points of view and different levels of experience,” said McGinnis, adding that people in the city are “always striving to make things better and to meet people where they’re at when needed.”
Connecting with others
McGinnis hopes those who see her messages get extra courage to ask for help when needed.
Recently, she interacted with somebody who got one of her designs. That person described how their recent battles with obsessive compulsive disorder made the message on the box deeply meaningful to her.
“Somebody saw it, they felt seen, and they took away from it that they should feel proud of their achievements,” McGinnis said. “Honestly, even that one positive interaction with that person is all I can really ask for.”
