Bombs Vs. Books
These two images by Ian Bonner were part of his integrated campaign to wake people up to the defense budget in this country vs the education budget. The brochure that accompanied these posters, states that the U.S. military ranks #1 in the world with a budget of $595 billion in 2010. In education however, the U.S. ranks 14th in the world. Its budget in 2010 has been crippled by an onslaught of budget cuts in at least 35 of the 50 states.
Ian says:
Recession
+ Military Budget
______________
= Education Budget Cuts
Do the Math.
Ian says:
Recession
+ Military Budget
______________
= Education Budget Cuts
Do the Math.
Tiananmen Square Massacre
One of my online Type II students, Dyan Gulovsen, designed and illustrated this poster on the Chinese massacre of June 4, 1989 when tanks and government troops opened fire on unarmed students and professors staging a seven week pro-democracy demonstration in Tiananmen Square. Having watched the event, Dyan wrote, "I visibly recall watching this event unfold in disbelief at the massacre of innocent unarmed students. I remember seeing bicycles flattened by tanks and discarded clothing and bloodied bodies. And I remember one man standing in front of the tank as we all watched and hoped he wouldn't be run over." I think her poster which uses a combination of modern styling, traditional patterns and torn handmade Japanese watercolor paper is a proper testimonial to an appalling world event.
Government Propaganda
Student Allie Delgado created this poster when the United States attacked Iraq in the second Gulf War, supposedly over Sadam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. She also took the opportunity to dig at what she felt was a stolen presidential election in the year 2000 by including a Florida ballot with the infamous hanging chads. Finally she included a common bumper sticker of God Bless America — knowing what we really should be saying is God Bless The World.
Question Everything
Mark Duszkwiewicz designed this poster shortly after the Guantanamo Bay debacle was revealed in the press concerning U.S. Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, another name for torture. Mark's copy reads, "Are torture methods right or wrong? Who is responsible? Research the United States enhanced interrogation techniques and decide for yourself. The choice of any American reflects on our entire nation. The choices we make shape who we are."
Our Voice Our Vote
Dante Fillyau created a campaign to motivate African Americans in Savannah GA to get out and vote after his research turned up discouraging figures of how many actually voted every election. His message was that "We helped build this nation. We need to decide who leads it." His approach highlighted the historic struggle to secure voting privileges for African Americans and other peoples of color, hoping that by reminding people of what others had gone through to get the opportunity to vote they would be inspired to do their part, regardless of which party they voted for. I thought it was an admirable approach.
The Youth Vote
Speaking of voting, Lauren Stec created a campaign in Studio II to get out the youth vote in the 2008 election. She created this poster, bus side, tshirts and a website around a mock concert to raise awareness, in addition to a couple of brochures. How different the tone from Dante's work above. Each uses graphics, images, colors and typefaces appropriate to its target audience. Each fills a need to awaken Americans to the importance of voting.
Military Wives
One of my Social Issues design students, Katie Smith, anguished over the second war in Iraq. As a military wife whose husband was fighting in Iraq, she wanted to show support for her husband and her country but she herself thought the war was wrong. She was also afraid to talk with other military wives about her feelings lest she appear to be unpatriotic and unsupportive. Designing this simple campaign, which included posters and a website, proved cathartic by allowing her to release her stress without fear or blame. Social Issues design doesn't always have to protest or promote awareness of a cause or event. Sometimes it's just enough to express your feelings visually. Katie said, "Just because you are a military wife, does not mean you have to support the war..You have the right to stand up and say “no” to what is currently happening overseas. You have the right to still support your husband, with out supporting what your country is doing."