IWD 2025: Anu Dhesi, Associate Design Director

CREATIVE TEAM
BRANDING
IWD2025
For this year’s International Women’s Day, we’re profiling three women who work in different roles here at TwelfthMan. Here we meet Anu Dhesi, who is an Associate Design Director at TwelfthMan, leading our FIFA account, blending project management, account management, and design direction.
What advice would you give to young designers looking to contribute to the growing visibility of women’s sport?

Design is subjective, and imposter syndrome is real, but the key is to close the gap - choose an area you’re passionate about, learn everything you can, and practice until it becomes second nature. Expertise comes from effort, not just experience. In women’s sport, having confidence in your voice is crucial; don’t let outdated perceptions make you feel like you don’t belong at the table. The difference between those in the room and those outside it is often just opportunity and belief - claim yours, and create the work that will shape the future of women’s sport.

Tell us a little bit about your experience working for FIFA, one of the largest governing bodies in sport. Are there any campaigns you are particularly proud of?

Working with FIFA has been a fantastic experience, particularly being part of the Women's World Cup 2023 and FIFA’s Concussion campaign. These projects had real impact - whether it was helping shape a global tournament that inspired millions or working on a campaign that raised awareness about player safety.

For the Women’s World Cup 2023, design played a crucial role in building excitement and amplifying the visibility of the tournament. The branding, visuals, and storytelling all helped to shift perceptions, positioning women’s football as a spectacle in its own right rather than just a counterpart to the men’s game.

The Concussion campaign was important because it wasn’t just about aesthetics - it was about delivering a clear, urgent message on player welfare. The right design approach meant we could cut through the noise and reach the right audiences, from grassroots to the professional game, ensuring people understood the importance of concussion protocols.

No items found.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities for design to push women’s sport forward?

Design has the power to position women’s sport as bold, exciting, and culturally relevant. The biggest opportunity lies in creating a distinct visual identity - one that isn’t just a spin-off of the men’s game but stands proudly on its own. Storytelling and representation are also key; celebrating individual athletes and their journeys helps build an emotional connection with fans. Women’s sport isn’t an afterthought - it’s a movement, and design can help ensure it’s seen that way.

What campaigns have stood out for you in women’s sport?

The Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign was a game-changer. Its bold branding embraced vibrancy and diversity, moving away from traditional football aesthetics to create something fresh and distinctive. The storytelling focused on individual heroes of the game, making players more relatable and inspiring to fans. The messaging was unapologetic - women’s football wasn’t positioned as secondary but as an elite, thrilling sport in its own right. The result? Record-breaking attendance, increased investment, and a real shift in how the world perceives the women’s game.

Previous
No previous post

GET IN TOUCH

Let’s work together