Design can influence public perception, but great design can change it. From campaign designs to protest symbols, ‘Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 2008-2018’ explores the impact of graphic design in political and social movements over the last ten years.
There are three distinct sections in the exhibition – power, protest and personality – which explore how design is used in politics to change public perceptions. It starts off with the Obama campaign’s unofficial, but hugely popular, ‘Hope’ poster by Shepard Fairey, which is later compared to the failings in the design of the Remain campaign’s materials. Social media is also explored as a platform that’s taking political movements to unprecedented audiences. Designs, symbols and hashtags like #MeToo can gain momentum quickly and designers from varied social and cultural backgrounds are capitalising on this. From the raised fist, a symbol of hope and courage used in the Black Lives Matter campaign, to the ‘Gay Clown Putin’ poster, an image of defiance used in protest against the Russian government’s crackdown on LGBT+ propaganda, these symbols manage to express so much more than words: they are the embodiment of protest. And if you don’t think using a rubber duck as a protest symbol against government corruption could ever gain momentum, well, you don’t live in São Paulo. Popular culture and humour in design are also important, with numerous takes on political leaders through satire, parody and cartoons seen throughout the show. There’s everything from Corbyn dabbing to a particularly entertaining Trump misfortune-telling machine. From hope to its antithesis nope, this exhibition highlights how powerful design can be in shaping politics, protests and public opinion. There are tons of images but it lacks a moment where you have overall clarity about the future of design meeting politics. But maybe that’s the point – it’s crazy and overwhelming. Let’s hope design’s ability to communicate will influence more positive change and less viral quacking.
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Below is the feedback I have from my original essay draught, From this constructive criticism I have made changes by rewriting my essay so it is more sophisticated and have looked further into my research to find some examples of slightly more established writers such as a research article from the journal of mass communication and Journalism. Below is a link to my final essay https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NAPEc4XivUR8MuZ1KvVLRECK0L4dZmbOU3c-HKFHUD8/edit?usp=sharing
“Effects design has on urban youth”
Graphic Design affects youth culture in many ways from branding, clothes, what technology we use and what places to shop. The way one presents themselves is seen as a vital way to be part of society and the brands around them is what influences their lifestyle. I will be looking into fashion, youth culture and the specific brands they follow and the effects it has on them. In this essay I will be analysing the effects it has on the urban and youth community. I will be questioning the positive and negative effects and purpose the question if I think the outcome will be beneficial to the target audience I am looking at. In my first paragraph I will be talking about the effects design and brands have had on young adults/teenagers and focusing on those who are most influenced such as popular social media users and those frequently in social situations. I will create a collection of images and videos of primary research which shows my evidence behind my findings. Looking more thoroughly into the influence design has had on youth I will discuss secondary research which focuses on different cultures and the different effects design has had on them focusing on fashion, branding and self expression. I will focus on countries such as Japan, England and America- areas such as the Bronxs,NYC, Tokyo, Brighton, London and specifically looking into celebrity and musician influences as well such as - Princess Nokia, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac and The Notorious BIG. Technology has been a great way to communicate all sorts of design. I want to mention different ways graphics gets promoted through technology such as social media, motion billboards and app adverts. I will be mentioning how these forms of media affects the everyday person as they are seen all around them. How the promotion of certain clothes, food and brands etc affects one’s lifestyle and how others see them. As a conclusion I shall mention my findings on the effects graphic design has had on urban youth. I will mention the positive effects graphic design has had and raise any concerns from my findings. I will then mention my overall feelings on the subject. To start of my essay I have decided to explore the effects young people have on design. Focusing on social media, advertising especially for brands and look into perhaps a different perspective other cultures have as a response to design. I have chosen this subject as it is something that I find really interesting, It lets me explore the effects brands have on the young generation as well as allowing me to explore my own interest in marketing choices companies make to improve their own companies through motions such as celebrity endorsement. I have a keen interest in fashion and popular sport brands so being able to have a more in-depth knowledge on what they do within their company to increase sales especially by focusing on young audiences as they key demographic. I hope to gain a better understanding on the different ways brands can effect choices the youth make within their lifestyle either socially or physically. I have started to make a few options of potential resources that I may be able to refer to within my essay. I hope to focus a lot on primary research including interviews and my own research from brands I have seen first hand have positive/negative responses from the younger generation. I feel this will help me improve my understanding of the power of marketing to young people and furthermore help me explore opportunities for a potential topic for my dissertation for my final year. I am certain I want to continue to explore ideas including the younger generation and perhaps focus on other forms of medium including fashion and dance as it is a topic I feel I will find exciting. http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun04/driving.aspx
(https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/body-and-physical-health/news/a39855/missguided-airbrush-stretchmarks-off-models/) https://www.kubashi.com/kicks/adidas-kanye-west/ https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/effects-of-advertising-on-youth-age-group-of-1319-years-age-2165-7912-1000260.pdf https://www.commonsensemedia.org/marketing-to-kids/what-is-the-impact-of-advertising-on-teens http://understandingteenagers.com.au/blog/how-branding-is-shaping-teenagers/ https://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/teenagers-buying-brand-names-are-extravagant-marketing-essay.php https://www.livestrong.com/article/1002419-effects-clothing-selfesteem-teen-girls/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/12/femvertising-branded-feminism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7h3wfAorMY&t=145s I visited the Brighton University end of year exhibition. The images below are specifically from the graphic design and illustration area, I am particularly fond of the use of hand drawn styled pieces as I feel these have a beauty in their simplicity. Looking around this area I came across a satin navy cloth printed with a well known image of Beyonce on it, I am really interested in feminist art and hip hop icons and as this was a mixture of the two I really enjoyed looking at this artwork. I will however mention that the artwork did not have a link to any kind of professional social media or an email, which meant I was not able to look further into this piece or ask how I could purchase one myself! this is something I will remember to add when doing my end of year exhibition so I have myself well promoted. The last piece of work I really enjoyed was the print of Donald Trump, the vivid colours reminded me of George Hardie's work and the political reference to "make America great again" was very enjoyable substituting the word great to gay. Being a supporter of the LGBT community and a huge fan of shows such as RuPauls Drag Race I found this was an inspiration piece of work . This is the 2016 MET College Exhibition, I visited this with some friends as it was my previous education where I studied my Art Foundation Degree. These images below are specifically from the graphic design and illustration floor and features specific items I found interesting, I particularly enjoyed the wall area with the cat as it reminded me of the RIPNDIP cat logo. The RIPNDIP logo is one used a lot in skateboarding clothes and sportswear and me being a lover of hand drawn art and cats I found it most amusing and enjoyable. ![]() The Guerrilla Girls had a exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery which revisited their 1986 poster stating "it's even worse in Europe" I have looked into their work previously and am highly interested in their feminist message. The Guerrilla Girls are a anonymous of masked feminist activists which was originally founded in 1985. They use a mixture of humour and facts to produce a range of posters, billboard , banners etc to expose discrimination, sexism, racism and the corruption in the art industry (Below is an example of one of their pieces of work focusing on their issues) The Exhibition consists of them using their bold graphics along with the informative humour to provide an eye opening area for the public. The piece is about the diversity in European art organisations, it also had questionnaires filled out by 383 directors about their exhibitions and collection, the responses were very irresponsive from the directors and gives people an insight to people's negativity to positive important messages. In London our class visited the 'us two' studio, it was a very eyeopening experience. Here I learnt what it's like working in a professional graphics workspace and getting an insight into what companies like this do. Ustwo are the designers behind the popular game 'Monument Valley' it involves the player leading the process Ida through mazes which includes optical illusions whilst manipulating the world around her to reach various platforms. The game was the winner of "Apple Game of the Year 2014" and "Winner of Apple Design Award 2014" and cost £3.99 currently on the app store.
At ustwo I found the surrounding were very free and relaxing and would defiantly be somewhere i'd like to work. I would love to visit more studios to get a more in-depth knowledge of whats available as a career, especially looking at one's in Sussex. I learnt at ustwo that a usual day would be 10-6pm though it was a very free job allowing people to work with their own hours as long as the work was getting done to a high standard. I felt I got a real insight to a studio work space and am really pleased I visited it. ![]() I visited a class held by Vanessa Marr, It consisted of learning about her 'Women and Domesticity' exhibition which was being shown at Grand Parade and creating our own creations on yellow dusters. The traditional yellow duster was a symbol of a domestic house wive, along with the red thread it was stitched as a message to promote the the expression of women and their views on a domestic lifestyle. Being a feminist this lecture was one I could not miss and it focused on something I am very passionate about. I remember creating a project focusing on genderless beauty products and since then I have been on a journey to find out as much as possible about feminism, gender equality and discrimination. Here is the link to domestic dusters to see more on the subject. https://domesticdusters.wordpress.com |
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