2. AIM
As we had UK General Election
in May 2015 which can affect our
future for decades ahead, we
have been asked to communicate
the importance of taking apart
in democratic process to certain
audience. We had to use graphic
design skills and media to build an
intelligent communication campaign.
It is aimed to show the importance
of vote registration and participation
to our audience to make them aware
that although democratic process
is not perfect, it is a viable choice.
This unit will enhance our knowledge
of research methods as well as
analytical and critical skills. We will
learn to build a strong communication
campaign using graphic design
and media skills and also how to
understand our audience effectively.
4. Robbie’s Jive Bio grew up in New
York City and studied at San
Francisco State University and
Stanford University in 70s. In 80s,
he decided to integrate his artistic
skills with his social concerns to
create pictures about subjects that
are important for him such as power,
politics and the abuses of both.
He realized that the ideas about
public issues are limited part of art
institutions. Thus, he aimed to make
poster of his paintings and going
around the streets in different major
cities to glue them everywhere and
build up a volunteer revolutionary
postering army. His goal was to make
a one-liner surprise for the people
who go to work in the morning and
provide them with some entertaining
information to spare some seconds
and think along with him about some
issues that are important.
WORKSHOP
5. The first worshop was interviewing
with people about voting. In the
secound workshop we used different
methods in each group.
In the third workshop, we first
analysed the artists’ work that
we researched for the previous
homework task and we made
three combined lists for Inspiration,
Materials, Formats and Tone of
Voice. Then, we had a workshop
regarding cutup copywriting and
the application of these methods in
developing slogans were discussed.
These workshops helped us to learn
how to search and design for political
designs.
6. After conducting the interviews before
the first class, I decided to carry on
working on the voting subject for my
project because I believe voting is
very important and influential and
encouraging people to vote can be
very interesting. During my research,
I looked at different designs even the
ones that were not directly related
to voting but were informative and
gave me some good ideas. I also
researched about the types of
materials that are appropriate for this
subject. The research helped me to
realise that what can I design to be
useful for the audience.
SEARCH
7.
8.
9. I have watched many different videos,
such as Ted Talk, Voting animation
and videos from different political
parties. One of the most interesting
one was the video called Vote in
which the voting was promoted by
celebrities. I liked the video because
they started by negative sentences
about voting. I think it is a good way
to attract people and have them
thinking about the issues and make
the message unforgettable.
So, I also decided to make a video to
promote voting but it was not turned
out as good as I aimed for.
DON’T VOTE!
WHY?
10.
11. I have looked at
different types
of advertising for
my research.
12. Then, I was looking at different
political parties’ logos and colours
used. I did not know that they have
their own colour.
13. INTERVIEW
A man:
1. Are you going to vote? Why?
Yes, I want to have my voice heard.
2. Do you know where you can find
information about different political
parties?
Yes, there is many websits to find
information about them.
3. Do you know that you should
register first?
Yes, I know.
4. Do you know that in how many
ways you will be abale to vote?
Yes, by post or attending poling
station on election day.
4. How are you going to vote?
By post.
5. Do you know who you want to
vote?
Not yet, I need to find more
information.
a Woman:
1. Are you ready to vote? Why?
Not yet, Because I do not have
enough information about them.
2. Do you know where you can find
information about different political
parties?
There is many information in internet
but a really good website.
3. Do you know that you should
register first?
Yes, I know.
4. Do you know that in how many
ways you will be abale to vote?
I think only attending poling station on
election day
5. Do you know who you want to
vote?
No, I need to search to find more
information about them.
A woman:
1. Are you going to vote? Why?
Yes, I am. This is the rightthing that
all of us should do.
2. Do you know where you can find
information about different political
parties?
I think online. I have seen many
videos and different types of
advertisment about different paries.
They have send some leaflet to
my home as well which had good
information about green party.
3. Do you know that you should
register first?
Yes, I know.
4. Do you know that in how many
ways you will be abale to vote?
Yes, by post or attending poling
station on election day.
4. How are you going to vote?
By post.
5. Do you know who you want to
vote?
Yes but I don’t like to say it.
14. I had many ideas to facilitate the
voting process and also to inform
the people about the importance of
voting. Thus, I made an app with the
logo of underground and UK flag.
This app is for registering. People
can access by scanning the code.
The code could be found in maga-
zine, newspapers, coffee cups and
etc. Then, I thought it is better to
design a ballot box for voting instead
of using underground logo.
Based on my research, I found out
that by using a negative sentence for
voting, I can attract more people and
also it make it remembered. Thus, I
used “ Don’t vote!” sentences in my
designs. I also used a barcode which
people can scan it and go to the rele-
vant website to find information about
voting.
IDEAS
17. I used the shape of glasses, because
I thought voting is about sharing
one’s vision. Moreover, in the glasses
some famous landmarks have been
displayed to show that voting is for
building the future of your country and
raise nationalistic sentiments. I also
thought that I should invite people to
different places such as a meeting
and ask them about their reasons for
voting and not voting similar to what I
have watched in Ted Talk.
18.
19. I designed a leaflet and tried to show
a message reads “ BIRMINGHAM!
OXFORD! LONDON! ... VOTE! Lets
get involved and share our opinion”.
I also used the colour of UK flag to
show the context.
20.
21. After looking at some political
posters, I have got some ideas
about posters and designed different
posters for Labour party. Finally, I
have chosen the best one from them.
22.
23. In the second poster, I used yellow
and red colours because I thought
both are useful in the background to
understand which colour works bet-
ter. Another idea was writing on the
university wall about why we should
vote.
24.
25. I have designed some badges, posters
and leaflets for Labour party.
I have designed badges for Labour
voters to attach it to their clothes to
promote the party they are supporting.
It could get other people to start a
conversation about the election and
different parties and might end up in
more Labour voters.
The feedback that I’ve got from some
people was that some people may
prefer to not disclose which party they
are voting for.
I have made these cards to make the
voting easier. During the research,
I understood each party has some
specific colour for their campaign.
For instance, Green party is Green,
Conservatives are Blue and Labour
is Yellow and orange and etc. Thus,
for designing the “VOTE” typface I
have used different parties’ colours.
Moreover, I have used different party
colours for designing the finger prints
therefore people can easily vote
by choosing their favorite parties’
colours.
26.
27.
28. I was drawing with watercolour which
gave me some new ideas accidental-
ly. Then, I have done some research
online to find proper lips drawn with
watercolour and then I drew differ-
ent lips such as Red, Pink and nude
colours to portray the different types
of lips for men and women. The
message I aim to convey was about
sharing your voice by voting which
can be shown properly using picture
of lips. As my audience is students,
I thought of writing some information
about why student should vote.
29. It is better to use natural lips instead
of illustration, because your audience
should be able to connect with it.
I have been advised by my tutor to
not use any design on the back of the
leaflet because it might be confusing
for the audience (Students).
Thus, I took several photos from
students’ lips because my audience
is students in similar age group. I
thought it is better to use different
shapes of lips to show the diversity
and indicate that this message is
related to all people in the society.
FEEDBACK
30. OUTCOME
I have used different shapes of
lips and I wrote some positive and
encouraging sentences about voting.
Moreover, I have added mobile bar-
code to be scanned by the audience
which can link them to the relevant
website for registration and finding
more information about voting.
31. I have tried different lips and I gave
it to some students to make sure
how they open it and I have got good
feedbacks from them. They liked the
idea of opening mouth. It is like: “dont
keep it cloth! Share your voice!”
