The last few days, we had the International Design Week, during which we could choose from different workshops covering various topics led by designers from diverse backgrounds. On one hand, I wanted to dive deeper into Blender and expand my skill set, but I was also interested in the last workshop titled “Doubt is not an option,” conducted by Roger Walk and Lars Harmsen. The topic aligned closely with my area of interest, so I felt it would complement my project perfectly. The workshop focused on the loss of trust in media and politics, examining the difficulty in discerning fake news from factual information today. Within the first few minutes of their presentation, I knew it would provide a fresh perspective for my project.
Initially, we examined various works across different fields, ranging from spreading fake news to satirical posters about politicians. We observed a variety of design styles and approaches to visualizing the topic. Following that, we conducted our own research on headlines and current issues to use as inspiration for our designs. During our research, we discovered a range of contemporary and problematic topics rather than strictly focusing on fake news. I explored topics related to animal welfare, Instagram’s efforts to hide political content, and the concerning fact that women fear men more than bears. A strong headline based on these themes would form the foundation for our later poster design.
After a discussion, we delved deeper into the visual representation of our topics. I explored animal welfare through articles from Soko Tierschutz on the conditions of pig farms today. I combined this with the misleading use of the AMA Gütesiegel and other certifications on products, which often suggest a good quality of life for the animals but, in reality, mislead consumers. I began to visualize how I could depict this, perhaps by placing the AMA Gütesiegel on images showcasing the harsh conditions pigs endure or contrasting reality with how it is portrayed. Lars and Roger’s initial slides also introduced various options, such as simple illustrations or manipulating images with processing, which would suit the topic’s style. I also considered the issue of zoos, particularly the controversy surrounding Zoo Magdeburg and its handling of monkeys.
Over the weekend, I decided to focus solely on animal welfare topics, as I felt most confident in that area. Political topics required more in-depth research before creating such controversial posters. I also investigated the issue of whale hunting in the Faroe Islands, which was happening again during that period. This island, southeast of Iceland, historically depended on whale hunting for sustenance and survival; however, today, it has become a brutal practice that results in the mass slaughter of protected whales in Europe. The phrases “Sea turns red” or “Welcome to the red sea” resonated with me. While the picturesque Faroe Islands evoke thoughts of vacation, the reality is far more disturbing due to the bloody whale hunts. Thus, I envisioned creating a tourism-style poster to highlight this disparity.
After the research and topic exploration we started on monday with the first designs and visual concepts digitally. In the following post I will go deeper into this process and show my designs.
