TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Richárd Kiss
The training aimed to equip minority youth organisations with the basic tools of graphic design to better express their identity, messages, and social impact. It addressed the need for accessible, responsible, and empowering visual communication, while strengthening participants’ ability to represent marginalised voices. The course supported the organiser’s mission of capacity-building for minority youth and aligned with follow-up project development under the training series.
The training gathered young people and youth workers from several European minority communities, representing a diverse mix of cultural backgrounds and experiences. The group composition enabled participants to exchange perspectives on identity, representation, and activism.
The methodology was grounded in non-formal learning, combining experiential and reflective approaches. Examples include: name games and collage work on identity and message; Gallery Walk to analyse campaign visuals; mind-mapping for visual identity; small group peer feedback; World Café on responsible representation; hands-on design using free online tools; and accessibility exercises (contrast, typography, alt text). Continuous group reflections and cultural evenings supported learning and community building.
Participants gained confidence and practical skills in graphic design, learned to apply design principles (contrast, composition, typography, hierarchy), and created their own campaigns for minority youth organisations. They developed a critical awareness of how visuals can reinforce or challenge stereotypes, and explored how to make design accessible for diverse audiences. Evaluation confirmed that participants left with concrete tools, stronger confidence, and ideas for follow-up projects. Outputs included individual visual campaigns and plans for dissemination in their organisations.
I worked as a full-time trainer, designing and facilitating the programme. My responsibilities included leading sessions on visual identity, basic design principles, accessibility, and responsible representation, as well as guiding participants’ individual and group design processes. I supported peer reflection, provided coaching moments, and adapted activities to the group’s needs. I also contributed to evaluation, follow-up project planning, and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment throughout the training.
Richárd Kiss is a skilled trainer and we are very happy to have chosen him to facilitate the Training in Vienna. Not only was he very communicative and brought his insights on design and various materials with him to get the group to experience different aspects of Graphic Design, but he was also very aware of the different backgrounds of the participants and their personal urgency to make their communities visible and share their project ideas. It was a pleasure working with such an attentive person and we hope to be working with him again!