For this project, I studied Shepard Fairey’s work and I drew my inspiration from the Hope poster he did in 2008. My work is similar to Fairey’s primarily because they both draw from the pre-1950’s propaganda style of design. This format was very spatial in the usage of color, and its outcome was also very artistic (Steven and Véronique, 2003). The image used in my poster has very little detailing and it’s this extended use of outlines that makes it attain that propaganda style that it had sought out to achieve at first glance.
The kinds of fonts I used are also quite basic and even with slight twists added on the shape of the letters, they still retain the straight character associated with the pre-1950’s propaganda. I believe the poster I did could have made the fit in anti-drug abuse campaigns of the 1940s with ease, primarily because the artistic style belongs to the same period. I’s message is also aimed at influencing the attitude of the viewer towards drug abuse, in such a way that he/she feels driven to view it as a negative habit. The poster can also be adapted for broadcast usage with little addition of motion graphics.
Looking at my work, in comparison with Fairey’s work, I can confidently say that with a little bit more practice, and with enough topics to work on, I can come up with posters that rival his as far as artistic and communicative strengths are concerned.
Working through the project also made me understand what can and cannot be done to achieve the propaganda style. One lesson I picked was that earthy colors are more suited to the attainment of the effect.
Reference List
Steven, H. and Véronique V. (2003) Citizen Designer: Perspectives on Design Responsibility. USA: Allworth Communications Inc.