Social Justice Posters: Mikaela Joyce

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For this week's assignment, I chose to address the injustices of Immigration Detention Centers in the United States. Immigration Detention Centers imprison undocumented people in horrific conditions, and deprive them of their basic human rights. Detainees lack proper healthcare or legal counsel while incarcerated in these facilities. Recently, Immigration Detention Centers received national press coverage for reports of sterilizing detainees and not protecting detainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe the conditions and practices of Immigration Detention Centers are oppressive and abusive. Given the urgency of these issues, I decided to create typography posters addressing this.

As a designer, every choice matters. Color, size, font, placement, and hierarchy. My first iteration used a dark color scheme, with text in red, white, and blue. The choice of the red, white, and blue was to evoke the American flag, and call into question how unconstitutional and "un-American" immigration detention centers are. My text read "You are three miles from an immigration detention center". My idea was to hang these in the Somerville and Cambridge area, which is approximately 3.5 miles from the ICE Detention Center in Boston. I aspired to alert residents that immigration issues are "closer to home" than one might imagine, as the Boston immigration detention center does not get as much coverage ones in other cities. 

Original Design Concept
My original (failed!) design concept 
However, upon printing my posters out, I realize my concept did not land as intended. The statement "You are three miles from an immigration detention center" is somewhat open to interpretation without further context or follow up text. While I intended for it to be a "wake-up call" for people reading, I realized that it could read in a hostile way to people at risk. The concept behind my color scheme was to criticize the American government and its actions, however without follow up text or context, that is not necessarily clear. I decided to not hang these posters, and re-design. 


Design 1: Simple Layout
Design 1: Simple Layout

I decided to change the phrase I worked with entirely. The words "No human is illegal" really resonate with me, and speak to the heart of the issue. Additionally, while this slogan is mostly used in the context of immigration conversations, I think it has applicability to other people's experiences, including the LGBT community. With this text change, the tone and color palate of my project evolved as well. It became much gentler; I worked with pastels and less aggressive fonts. 

For "Design 1" (5"x7")  I chose to use a simple layout, with an approachable and readable white font. The slogan I am working with is poignant, and I did not want to distract from it with excessive decoration or kearning. It is overlaid on a pastel background for readability. For "Design 2" (8.5"x 11"), I reiterated the phrase, and set it up on a light to dark color scale. I wanted to emphasize the phrase's importance through repetition, and evoke ideas of time. For "Design 3", I designed a sticker (6"x2") that could be attached to a number of flat surfaces. I chose a "clinical" font to emphasize the message, and evoke a since of irony.

Design 2: Repetition
Design 2: Repetition

I decided to continue with my original installation plan of putting the posters in the Cambridge and Somerville area. This area is my community and has been since I came back to Massachusetts. I want to spread a positive and inclusive message, and be an advocate for those in my community who are vulnerable. This project was eye-opening to me both as a designer and an activist. Typography is challenging for me as I am somewhat loquacious. Sending a message in a brief, impactful way is not the most natural to me. The words I chose are part of a larger movement, that has the potential to empower and liberate people. 


Additionally, the process of revision in design is essential. I am glad I abandoned my original concept, and re-designed the posters. As a student, recognizing when the design choices I've made are ineffective, and working through those mistakes was a really important aspect of this project. 

Design 3: Bumper Sticker
Design 3: Bumper Sticker



  




Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2020 at 12:15 AM

    Hi Mikaela,

    I like the change with the phrase and colors to evoke a more gentler feeling. The gradient backgrounds in your first two designs are both visually appealing, and I think it is intriguing how you decided to create a bumper sticker sized design at the end. I perceived the little rainbow in the third design as an embracement of all people of color. The positivity in these designs are definitely present and having the font be lowercased created a sense of welcoming.

    ReplyDelete

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