Initial ideas, Research and Peer Feedback

I have been creating some initial sketches on ideas for the practical response to my essay. I sketched some ideas for propaganda to help the Syrian refugee crisis. I also did some brief research into some of the current views of migrants and what is being done about it. I also drew some initial sketches of poster designs. I thought about the idea of creating a memorable poster by using either a symbol or an image that would stick in peoples minds. Something that came to mind was the recent 'Peace for Paris' symbol I read some articles about it such as http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-15/peace-for-paris-symbol-goes-viral/6941880 And I liked how a basic symbol or image could have such an impact. I also thought about how photography may be able to be included or do a poster that sets the scene of what refugees are going through.

I read an article on what the uk is doing to help the migrant crisis and found that David Cameron has said that the Uk will accept 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020. Although this is good I am aiming for my propaganda to encourage everyone to be on board with helping the refugees feel welcome. I also found pages that are against refugees coming in on page was called 'British people say NO to taking in Syrian refugees'. When it comes to refugees people have a clash in opinions and it can sometimes cause arguments. My propaganda aims to get everyone helping and opening there arms.

I had a task to get into small groups to discuss our ideas I asked questions such as should I go down the illustrated, or photography route?

The feedback I received,

• Illustrated is more of a WW2 style however photography is a more up to date response.
• Maybe take design choices such as a catchy slogan from the WW2 designs
• Maybe make something that can be screen printed for mass production
• I could look at a political figure such as UK politicians and make some satire
• Use flags or a symbol
• Look at the task more as a visual strategy

Harvard Referencing & Triangulation

In a recent session I learnt how to Harvard reference. Here are some of the notes I took,

• Author(date) 'title' Place, Publisher
• Surname.Initial.
• 'Quote' (Surname,date: page number)
• [Internet] Available from <URL> [access date]
• (n.d) - No Date
• Anon- Anonymous/ No author
• Alphabetised by surname

1. A paragraph that shows the ability to triangulate between four texts.

'Most graphic Design produced within the context of advertising is inherently representative' Experimental Jetset (2001). A key point that has been raised within graphic design and advertising is the idea that designers are no longer enjoying there work due to large company and brand advertisements. The First things first manifesto was wrote by Ken Garland in 1964 stating that 'We do not avocet the abolition of high pressure consumer advertising' he listed all the designers who agreed with his manifesto maybe hoping that the issue could so day be resolved however in 2000 the manifesto was renewed by Adbusters 'Many of us have grown increasingly uncomfortable with this view of design' This showed that Graphic Designers of modern day are still feeling how they felt in the 60's if anything design is still being consumed main through advertisements by large committees. 'The struggle between individuals with jagged passion in their work and todays faceless corporate committees' Tibor Kalman (1998)

2. A paragraph that shows a close analysis of an image which relates to one of these texts.

Advertisements for large companies have taken away designers ability to create and  put their passion into there work. Advertisements such as this poster for mcdonalds is in a style that has always been the same and can not change as its purpose it to be known and to sell. It shows the same Logo, in its same colours taking up a big amount of the page, promoting its similar food. Even its slogan and font does not change and its theme of colours.

3. A paragraph that shows evaluation of one of the texts.

Fuck Committees Tibor Kalman (1998) states how designers are less able to be creative and put there passions into their work due to advertisements for corporal companies. It claims about how design is not loved or hated and lets us understand how designers are feeling due to this usableness to have independence and change culture.

4. A paragraph that shows your ability to paraphrase/summarise one of the texts.

First things First Adbusters (2000) states that many designers have become uncomfortable with the new view of design and how designers now put their efforts into advertisements, marketing and brand development which is supporting commercial messages rather than there own. Overall the text talks about the idea of consumerism and how the renewal the the initial manifesto published in 1964 may help this issue be taken more to heart without any more time passing.

Establishing The Requirements

1. Techniques

• Traditional print methods
• Modern propaganda poster

2. Content

• Propaganda

3. Communication/message

• Current Political affair

4. Research/Analysis

• Essay
• Current political issues
• WW2 propaganda

5. Exploration/Evaluation

• I will explore print methods and design styles

6. Testing

• Group Critiques
• Feedback

Rationale

My Research Question is 'Discuss the role that Graphic Design can play during periods of political and/or social upheaval'. My hypothesis is that WW2 propaganda will use design choices to create a strong message that is displayed through the use of posers. The context of my research is politics and I will be using a mix of primary and secondary sources. I aim for my practical work to be something that can play a role in a current political/ social affair and I will use research to develop my work and explore different traditional or non traditional ways to create my work.