[ Overview ]
The task involves crafting a trio of posters for Amnesty International, each advocating for three distinct issues among the organization’s 19 “What We Do” topics. Every poster singularly champions one issue, aiming to create a compelling, resonant message.
[ Process ]
Sketching Ideas
v 0.5
I systematically organized the necessary content for the posters and fashioned a low-fidelity version resembling a wireframe.
The content included:
Issue titles
Visual elements such as images or illustrations
Summarizing statements for each issue
One pertinent statistic per issue
Boilerplate text representative of Amnesty International
Amnesty International’s logo
amnesty.org/get-involved
For the illustrations, I envisioned a dominant geometric style. However, the specific concepts remained nebulous, prompting a tentative placement of prominent shapes like circles, squares, and triangles.
I structured the information employing a grid system and focused on three topics viable for a geometric illustration.
Feedback garnered from the class included:
Attention-grabbing shapes lacking a clear correlation to the chosen topics.
Perceived conservatism in the layout.
Difficulty in comprehending the figure 1,600,000,000.
v 1.0
I began working on refining the illustrations, aiming to elevate the posters into a more polished, high-fidelity version.
Taking inspiration from the Bauhaus style, I opted for a palette of simple colors.
For the topic of “Older People’s Rights,” I depicted a grandparent figure in my illustration. In addressing “Drug Policy Reform,” I sketched pills and their container. For the issue of “Torture,” I illustrated handcuffs to convey the distressing aspect of the topic.
Additionally, although this style felt safe and familiar to me, I ventured into a completely different design style, one that diverged from my typical approach.
I attempted to evoke a notebook or journalism-inspired aesthetic.
After receiving feedback from the session, I was informed of:
The smaller illustrations in the title seem somewhat last-minute additions and appear excessively abundant.
The boilerplate text seems exhaustive, straining the eyes of the reader.
The “Older People’s Rights” illustration lacks immediate clarity.
While the collage style is intriguing, it’s suggested that I further develop the geometric style.
v 2.0
To rectify potential misunderstandings, I renamed the issue from “Older People’s Rights” to “Arm Control” and crafted an illustration related to weaponry.
I made revisions based on the feedback I had received previously.
Feedback included:
Thicker black framing could enhance the visual impact.
Adding significance to the line below the title, like equalizing its length with titles or subtitles.
Applying shadows consistently to overlapping elements.
Experimenting with elements that extend beyond the frame, like the handcuffs illustration.
Positive feedback regarding the titles formatted as one line, two lines, and three lines.
v 3.0
In the final iteration, I meticulously revised all the details, culminating in the definitive version.
If time permits, my goal is to further refine the illustrations, ensuring greater consistency in aspects like rounded corners and geometric shapes. As of now, this stands as the culmination of my work.
[ Takeaway ]
Ordinarily, I don’t allocate ample time to a single poster project. Yet, I’ve realized the significance of refining every detail, testing various iterations, and striving for excellence. Continuous iteration consistently leads to the discovery of more effective design solutions. Engaging with diverse viewpoints proves invaluable; it sheds light on distinct perspectives concerning the same subject matter. This, I believe, encapsulates the allure and potency of design — the ability to convey multiple interpretations.
