Deconstructivist Activism Poster

Prompt

For this project, I had to choose a message or cause that speaks to me and create a deconstructivist activism poster. This project is about exploration, emotion, and being disruptive, taking chances we wouldn’t usually dare to. The project involves creating an 11" x 17" poster in a postmodern design style inspired by the deconstructivist movement of the early 1990s. This approach encourages the disassembly and reconstruction of visual elements, emphasizing the use of overlapping, re-orienting, and fragmented forms. The aim is to evoke a sense of ambiguity and futuristic undertones, allowing the viewer to derive meaning from the emotional impact of the design rather than solely from literal interpretation. Juxtaposition and compositing will play a crucial role in creating an unconventional and visually compelling composition.

Preparatory Exercise

(Radial 1&2, Dilatational 1&2, Translational 1&2, Random 1&2)

Movement

Feminism, originating in the 18th century, gained substantial traction during the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the first-wave movement advocating for women’s suffrage and property rights, exemplified by the historic Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 and the subsequent ratification of the 19th Amendment in the United States in 1920. The second-wave feminism of the 1960s and 1970s broadened its focus, encompassing reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and gender norms, accompanied by influential feminist literature such as Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique” and the establishment of key organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW). The third-wave feminism from the 1990s onward emphasized intersectionality, recognizing diverse experiences based on race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality, highlighting inclusivity and social justice, particularly for marginalized communities within the movement. This global activism continues to shape discourse on women’s rights, leading to legislative changes and societal shifts, with contemporary efforts focusing on reproductive rights, combating gender-based violence, and advocating for equitable representation in leadership roles, all guided by the lasting influence of historical and modern feminist figures.

Research

Postmoder Designers — April Greiman

April Greiman, a notable graphic design figure, is celebrated for her innovative approach. Her key principles include pioneering digital experimentation, seamless integration of typography and imagery, bold use of color and dynamic compositions, a reflection of postmodern aesthetics with fragmented imagery and playful deconstruction, and an ongoing exploration of new media and technologies, showcasing her curiosity and boundary-pushing spirit within the realm of graphic design.

Postmodern Design Styles — Grunge

Grunge graphic design, popular in the 1990s, embraces a raw and DIY aesthetic, featuring distressed textures, bold irregular typography, dark color schemes, layered collage techniques, and a deliberate rejection of conventional design norms. This rebellious style, characterized by its gritty and nonconformist approach, has had a lasting influence on various design disciplines.

Modern Design Styles — Bauhaus

Bauhaus graphic design, emerging from the early 20th-century German art school, emphasizes functionality, minimalist aesthetics, innovative typography, primary colors, and the integration of art and technology. Its enduring influence has shaped modern design practices worldwide.

Discovery and Chance

First Posters

This is my original poster about the hypersexualism women face in today’s society. I wanted it to be feminine, yet slightly gory and exposing. I feel these emotions encapsulate what most women feel when put in these situations. The woman in the poster is exposing herself, but not in a normal, anatomical way. I wanted to show her opening her chest where her heart would usually be, only to find she’s exposing herself. This showcases the raw emotion that women have been taught to feel, it’s not about who you are as a person, only your reproductive organs matter. The fonts I chose are supposed to represent the intense emotions women feel when sexualized. The text on her stomach is meant to look like it’s carved in, leaving a permanent message.

This is the edited version of my original poster. I liked a lot of the design elements but thought it could use a couple more pictures. The pictures I chose have the same art style as the original design. I chose to put them towards the top due to the layout of the text, but also because I wanted the design at the bottom to have its own space as I feel like it’s the “centerpiece” of this poster.

My second poster began with this layout. It’s the same text from the previous poster but used as the background. When creating this, I wanted the woman to be looking in the mirror and seeing what the rest of the world sees/expects from her. While I didn’t initially choose the woman to be a pencil drawing, I used her as a metaphor meaning she’s nothing if not what the world wants her to be. Although nothing, she holds a sign stating she’s “not your bitch” exuding independence.

For my edited version, I wanted a little more color and pizazz. The woman in the mirror still tells the same story, but now the text is laid out differently, using various fonts and sizes. The background gives this poster an aggressive feel, showcasing the anger one can feel when objectified by the world.

For my final piece, I made a few alterations but kept the same theme overall. I made the main message “When we reduce women to their bodies, we diminish their humanity” larger and more prominent. I wanted the quote to stick out more, and be a little overwhelming to look at. The second alteration I made was to have the second quote “Girls just want to have fundamental rights” wrap around her body, almost like a shield from the outside. The third and final change I made was the overall background. Before, it was pretty subtle, catering towards a feminine focus. Now, it’s graphic and brutal, portraying the overall message I wanted to express through this piece.