Social illustration - SaruHernandez

Social illustration

Illustrating stories that should be heard

My first commissions as a newly graduated illustrator were with organisations working on sensitive and urgent issues. I was tasked with creating warm, emotive visuals that could help communicate complex stories to younger audiences in a way that felt both accessible and meaningful.

Since then, I’ve collaborated with institutions tackling topics such as sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, and cyber-violence. Through illustration, I aim to bring clarity, empathy, and dignity to difficult conversations. My goal is to facilitate sharing messages that matter, especially with the generations who will shape what comes next.

These projects represent small but meaningful ways I’ve been able to support change through visual storytelling.

25th WAVE Conference

‘Institutional violence and its impact on women’s human rights across Europe’

I was commissioned to create the visual identity for the WAVE (Women Against Violence Europe) Conference held in Madrid in autumn 2023, centered on the theme of Institutional Violence.

The project included designing visuals for social media, a conference banner, website assets, and the cover of the printed publication. The aim was to convey the gravity of the topic with clarity and empathy, ensuring consistency across both digital and physical formats.

Brave Huxley

Picture book for the Matt Hampson Foundation

Huxley is the biggest and strongest of all the toys, always ready to help, but when an unexpected twist shakes his world, Huxley starts to feel like he no longer belongs.

Inspired by the true story of rugby player Matt Hampson, this heartfelt tale was created for his foundation to share his experience and offer hope. In this story, children can find in the tiger toy Huxley a figure to learn about resilience, courage, and the ability to adapt and find new ways to move forward.

Written by Dan Hipkiss. Published by the Matt Hampson Foundation

Ciberviolencias machistas, guìa para familias

This guide explores various forms of cyberviolence, offering recommendations and strategies to combat digital violence. Created to serve as a resource for working with children and teenagers on this issue, it includes tools for raising awareness and feminist digital self-defense. The special edition also features over 30 illustrations and comics. 

Text by Federación de Mujeres Jóvenes. Published by Feminicidio.net

Ni trato ni trata, callar no es una opciòn

Ni trato ni trata, is a guide created with the aim of raising awareness, educating, and sensitizing about sexual exploitation and human trafficking, designed to be introduced and addressed in secondary schools across the Canary Islands. The material consists of seven theoretical-practical modules, an illustrated biography of a trafficking survivor, and a glossary of essential terms.”

Text by Laura Pedernera. Published by the Canary Islands Institute of Equality (ICI)