~ Study task 4 - Vote - research ~

For this brief we have to get into a group of three (me, Amelia & Florence) & produce a concept/campaign to encourage young people to vote. Our own political views are very similar as we all feel the Tory power currently are having a negative effect on the country; particularly young people in terms of passing rules that make it harder for people from a poor background to attend university. 

Research

One successful example of graphic design impacting upon a political campaign is Shepard Fairey's work for Obama. He took the idea of producing a poster campaign using vector graphics rather than your more widely used photographic campaign styles used by his competitors. This style of design is bold and simple and appeals to a much wider audience; the calm and patriotic colours aim towards an audience as a friendly hello rather than a photographic stance of power and hierarchy. The sleek vector graphics and iconic simplicity stood out among the others and helped in obama's success.

This is the poster campaign for the conservatives pre-election. They used positive photography depicting an 'ideal' world landscape and promised better economy with their power.

This is the liberal democrats poster campaign in reply to this. They use obvious satirical methods and political slander to place themselves above the other parties. 

Lastly this is a poster created post election, now the Torys are in power and have begun cutting money in many important areas. It's once again an example of graphic designers using satire to throw off their opponents campaigns. - my personal analysis of this is that using satire could be more effective and memorable if combined with comedy and lightheartedness rather than pure hatred. A satirical campaign that was lighthearted and said but hey if you vote for us were down to earth and can make change for good; that could be successful.

These are some examples of old vote posters for specific parties.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32221076 - But this 2015 article says that the political camapaign poster is dead. The have a lack of impact due to new technology as were more likely to be walking the streets looking at our phones rather than the posters down the street - so it's definitely time for vote campaigns to get more creative.

What's known as guerrilla marketing techniques could be a new way of moving political design and advertising forward. This kind of advertising manipulates site specific objects and places; often using things people interact with and would most definitely notice if something were to change (part of their routine).

In reflection of my research so far two avenues to take with the design and concept for this brief could be satire and guerilla marketing. One has been used throughout history and no-doubt has an effect on the way people vote and the other has yet to be tried fully and would be interesting to explore further.