IU Diversity Award for queer awareness campaign
IU student Felix Würkner receives award for his thesis against homophobia and transphobia
IU student Felix Würkner from Berlin receives award for his thesis against homophobia and transphobia.
Berlin, 3 January 2025. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) presented Felix Würkner from Berlin with the “IU Diversity Award 2024” for his outstanding bachelor's thesis in the media design programme. Under the title “#ColourFueledHearts”, the 34-year-old dual student developed a cross-media campaign for gender and sexual diversity to prevent homophobia and transphobia. His awareness campaign combines YouTube videos, Instagram posts, workshops and printed information materials, which completely won over the jury:
“Felix's work impressively demonstrates how media can be used creatively to reduce interpersonal prejudices and make queer life realities more visible,” said Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, equal opportunities officer at IU.
A personal project close to his heart
As someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, Felix Würkner is well aware of the obstacles and challenges that people can face, both as adolescents and as adults. “Queer children and young people need more support, representation and visibility,” says Würkner. “With my work, I want to make a small contribution to reducing homophobia and transphobia.”
For his bachelor's thesis, Felix Würkner conducted interviews with six queer people from Berlin. Their stories are at the heart of the campaign – six different life backgrounds, six different sexualities, six different gender identities and many different reactions they have experienced in dealing with their fellow human beings. Emotional, profound and enlightening.
“The results of my research show how important it is to start education early on – for both young people and adults,” explains Würkner. Surveys at Berlin educational institutions, for example, have shown that there is a need for action here to give teachers in particular more confidence in dealing with queer topics. Awareness workshops and information brochures could help here. Digital and social media, which are used primarily by younger people, would in turn create visibility and representation. Accordingly, Würkner designed his #ColourFueledHearts concept for many different media channels.
With the IU Diversity Award, IU honors not only Würkner's scientific achievements but also his commitment to greater tolerance in society.
From theory to the world wide web
Würkner implemented the cross-media campaign, which was initially developed fictitiously, before he had even completed his studies. The content produced can be seen on Instagram and YouTube under the hashtag #ColourFueledHearts and is free to share.
One special aspect of his work is that Würkner tried to integrate queer influences into almost all areas of his work. For example, the campaign logo was inspired by the works of the American gay graphic designer Kyle Letendre. Its color scheme is based on the colors of the trans flag. The color gradient underscores the idea that gender and sexuality are a kind of spectrum and that there is more than just black and white. In addition to his queer interview partners, Würkner also worked with a queer photography student who helped with the implementation. “I even developed a custom font for the project, which I put together from letters from children to their parents, including mine, to bridge the gap between content and design here as well,” says Würkner.
Links to the videos & campaign content:
https://www.instagram.com/colourfueledhearts
https://www.youtube.com/@ColourFueledHearts
About Felix Würkner
Felix Würkner is 34 years old and has been living in Berlin for five years. Before his studies, he gained experience in various creative professions, worked as a dancer for several years and now works as a graphic designer in an advertising agency. A dual study programme in his early 30s gave him the opportunity to further his education in his favorite industry and gain practical experience in his company at the same time. At IU, he studied in a split week model – two days at the university, three days at the company – and was thus able to apply his new knowledge directly. With his passion for creative projects, he is pursuing the goal of gaining a foothold in the advertising industry as an art director. As the uncle of a little nephew and a little niece, he wants nothing more than “[...] that the two grow up to be open and enlightened people who don't have to fear the fear of rejection if they ever realize that they feel a little ‘different’.”
About the IU Diversity Award
The IU International University of Applied Sciences has been presenting the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. In 2024, in addition to Felix Würkner, IU graduate Melissa Ockelmann from Hamburg also received the prestigious award. In her bachelor's thesis, she addressed the topic of inclusion in old age and presented a queer-sensitive model for open work with senior citizens. The jury of the IU Diversity Award consists of a team of ten employees from different departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's theses. The IU Diversity Award aims to contribute to increasing public awareness of the research field of diversity and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros. Further information on equality and diversity at the IU can be found at: https://www.iu.de/en/university/diversity/
About the dual study programme in media design
In the dual bachelor's programme in media design at IU, students learn how to creatively convey information and messages. It covers both analog and digital content preparation and delivery, equipping students with knowledge of relevant tools and strategies. Students become experts in web design, cross-media strategies, video editing, and app development, and gain insights into typography and printing technologies. For more information about the programme, visit: https://www.iu-dualesstudium.de/bachelor/mediendesign/
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
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