THE POWER TO PERSUADE:Visual design in propaganda

• One of the objectives of the visual arts is to inform and convince people of an idea, a concept, a political tendency, or any issue that requires handling or manipulating information.

• The arts are an important part of propaganda because of the direct and effective action of a visual image.

• The objective of your project will be to produce a work of art where you aim to persuade your audience of a particular issue, point of view, or idea.

• Left: Uncle Sam, symbol of the USA.

What is “Propaganda”?• Propaganda is a specific type of message presentation directly aimed at influencing the opinions of people, rather than impartially providing information. In some cultures the term is neutral or even positive, while in others the term has acquired a strong negative connotation.

• Strictly speaking, a message does not have to be untrue to qualify as propaganda, but it may omit so many pertinent truths that it becomes highly misleading.

Propaganda in history: the People’s Republic

of China• Political propaganda has

pervaded many aspects of daily life in the PRC since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949.

• Illustration at right: “Another good harvest” by Lu Pan and Pan Honghong, 1972.

• Translations: • On the cup: Socialism is

good• On the sack: Production

brigade

Contemporary Propaganda: Venezuela

Propaganda in history:

Nazi Germany• Most propaganda in Germany

was produced by the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda. All journalists, writers, and artists were required to register with one of the Ministry’s subordinate chambers for the press, fine arts, music, theater, film, literature, or radio.

• Left: Nazi poster portraying Adolf Hitler. Text: "Long Live Germany!"

Your project:• Investigate: Choose a theme, a historical context, or a

selected artist. Provide a thorough understanding of the concept of persuasion through the use of visual information.

• Plan and Practice: Design a poster that projects the visual and textual material that communicates a chosen message.

• Create! Using any medium available in class, produce the finished visual piece.

• Describe and Reflect: Use appropriate vocabulary to describe your process and your finished artwork. Reflect on the qualities of your artpiece and predict the reaction of your audience.

Assessment Criteria• Investigation of historical context: 20%

• Visual Research: 10%

• Sketches and planning: 10%

• Describe and reflect: 10%

• Your finished artpiece: 50%

BIBLIOGRAPHY• Illustrations:• Slide #1: Uncle Sam• https://blog.id.iit.edu/wpmu/newidiom/files/2008/03/uncle_sam_point

ing_finger.jpg• Slide #3: Chinese illustration:

http://www.radaronline.com/photos/2008/08/chinese_propaganda_posters_beijing_olympics_08.php

• Slide#4: Venezuela street painting: http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0f0e4yw7i13cf/610x.jpg

• Slide #5: Adolf Hitler: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda• Slide #6: Poster Collection:

http://www.postershow.com/images/c_propaganda_poster_new_large2.jpg• Text:• www.wikipedia.com