OUGD505 - Studio brief 02 - Idea development

Following feedback on my ideas it was time to select one to further develop and from peer feedback and personal preference I felt one in particular idea had the potential to make people think differently about our ageing population. The second idea can challenge the views, stereotypes and perceptions but also leave the lasting question of whats ageism? The other ideas aim to move on from stereotyped views that condition how we think about our ageing population, but don't do much to see ageism as something society must come to terms with. The second idea can also be further developed in terms of message and allows the posters and placards to be separate forms of protest, therefore the range is extensive.

As an early development for the idea I looked more into examples of placards and posters in protest as this made me consider the range more.

To start with placards which are installed in a public place, like a small card, sign, or plaque. They can be attached to or hung from a vehicle or building to indicate information about the vehicle operator or contents of a vehicle or building. It can also refer to paperboard signs or notices carried by picketers or demonstrators. For my idea the placard designs will follow the rules of protest signs while the actual posters will be more intricate. The rules of having of a successful protest poster according to Tony Kushner are “It is shocking, it is clever—even funny in a grim sort of way—and its meaning is instantly intelligible.”

When I took the point into context when thinking of protest posters which are famous, they do occupy those three points in ways but it must take a lot to get there. In contrast though Steven Heller has commented that “There isn’t one set formula for it,” He has also said posters are meant to arouse emotion and one way to do that, and to be “instantly intelligible” as Kushner put it, is to combine text and imagery in such a way that will immediately have an impact on the viewer.

On the other hand, I found out sometimes a sign is more impactful with no text at all. Symbols in particular play a powerful role in protest movements, as most iconically exemplified by the peace sign. Also a powerful expression of protest posters relies on actually knowing the issues you are representing as a part of the protest. And consider being negative in protest as after all, whatever you’re protesting is presumably not a positive thing. One lasting thing I found to bear in mind with my poster’s meaning. Is to be clear, instantly understandable, and well-informed. Add in some acerbic humor or shock value for extra effect. And to Remember that I'm designing for a man who does not take criticism well, so come on strong. But keep in mind the larger goal: to create visual messages that, together, will show the core issues and values of the movement, and will continue to communicate them throughout the years of work ahead.