CampaignPosters as Art

Election 2008

Decoding The “Design Rut”-Election 2004

• Font- what kind of feeldoes it have? Assertiveor Friendly?

• Are the letters thin orthick? What does thatconvey?

• Switch from regular toall upper case whatcould that suggest?

We Begin with your Typical Campaign Poster…

The Opponent• How Does this Poster make

us feel?• Is it Pretty? Does it have a

masculine or femininequality?

• How is the space dividedbetween the two names-which take up more?

• Is the flag naturalistic orgeometric?

In comparison…Using JUSTtext and the traditional

image…..

Social Realist inspired poster of Barack Obama by Los Angelesgraphic designer and street artist Shepard Fairey.

-What does this poster tell you?

-What is traditional and what is new?

-Who is the target audience?

What is missing and is it needed?

2008: Has Design Improved?

1968 poster for Eugene McCarthy byBen Shahn

-Using Ben Shahn’ssignature loose linear style-

It exudes an image of…?

In 1984, vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro was depicted asLady Liberty in a convincing send-up of Eugène Delacroix’s 1830 painting

“Liberty Leading the People.”

-Parody of anexisting artwork/Graphic humor.-Forces you to do a Double take.-Impresses the imageIn the mind.

Addressing the Issues

• 1973 Berekely• Illustration used in

poster does what?• Is it important to see

an image to get apoint across?

• How does text workwith theme?

W.W.II Posters

• Look at shapes andsymbols in thisposter- what do yousee?

• Do the image andtext fight/conflict witheach other in thespace?

• What kind of text isused?

Using Fame to PromotePatriotism

• Who is depictedhere?

• What message isthis photo trying toget across?

• Does it appeal toyou?

Political Cartoons

• Who are thecharacters in thisimage?

• What is the cartoontrying to tell us?

Project:• In this historic election-

Your vote is a chanceto make a statement.

• Create your owncampaign poster, usingelements that you feelwould draw in theviewer, addressing aspecific issue of yourchoice.

• It may be for a specificcandidate or issue inhis platform.

• Make YOUR statement.

Examples: Artists For theCandidates

By:Robert Indiana

Posters that Address Issues…

More Issues..

And More…