Illustrating journeys through Universal Credit

I am an illustrator who had the pleasure to work with UcUs to help them get their message across by illustrating their experiences on the Universal Credit journey. 

‘This wonderful group has given me the opportunity to illustrate their experiences on Universal Credit and to describe the UC journey through a series of related pictures. It has been eye opening for me to listen to their distressing stories of how universal credit has impacted negatively on their lives, including their family, children, and the people around them. I was shocked to learn that the new UC system is riddled with so many flaws that cause worry and anxiety to those trying to navigate the application process. It shouldn’t be this way and this really motivated me to capture the raw experiences and feelings of those who have battled through the UC process and its harsh time frames.

I created illustrations depicting this group’s real experiences on UC. I hope the images will make an emotional impact on others who haven’t heard or seen how UC can affect people. My illustrations have become their voices that echo loud and clear that the UC system must change to ensure a better future for those who will need its support. 

It was a wonderful and inspiring opportunity to collaborate with this amazing group at UcUs, and I would also like to thank to Dan Farley, a graphic designer, Ruth Patrick and Mark Simpson for their hard work and enthusiasm to make this happen. 

In the future, I hope I won’t need to illustrate their UC journey as all dark and gloomy. Instead, I envisage a colourful, hopeful life where they can all live to the fullest. 

-Hannah, Hati Illustrations

Hannah, known by the pseudonym, "Hati", is a born-deaf freelance graphic illustrator based in Belfast and has graduated with a First Class Honours in Illustration and Graphic Design from Ulster University, 2019.

Her process in her work often uses a range of materials: charcoal, ink, graphite pencil, pen and digital. She likes to illustrate striking imagery with the use of bold limited colours and directive illustrated messages. When she is not working, cinematography is another of her passions.

Her final piece from her Degree Show 2019, has been selected by Royal Ulster Academy to be part of their 138th Annual Exhibition at Ulster Museum and is currently being exhibited in Belfast, which runs from October 2019 to January 2020