Creative Art Project C: Two Subvertisements
Creative Art Project C Two Subvertisements
Select several well-known advertisements, posters, album covers, etc., and design two separate, yet challenging and interesting subversive messages that reflect your ideas or meaning on a particular issue. These subvertisements can be created in collage form using pieces of color paper, images, or text from magazines or the Internet. You may also use Photoshop or Illustrator, but you must modify the original image and not simply copy and paste. The goal is for viewers to recognize the original imagery while also perceiving your new, original message. Each finished image should be at least 8 inches wide by 10 inches long, covering the entire surface. Additionally, a written analysis must accompany your subvertisements, including a description of your creative process, the message or idea behind each image, a discussion of the visual elements and principles of design used, your evaluation of their success, and the original work that influenced your design. The written paper should be approximately 2-3 pages in length, formatted with Times New Roman 12-point font and standard 1-inch margins. The project will be graded based on the originality and challenge of your subvertisements, technical execution, clarity, the quality of your written analysis, inclusion of original print media copies, and adherence to instructions.
Paper For Above instruction
The assignment presents an opportunity for students to engage in a creative and critical examination of visual media through the design of subvertisements. By selecting familiar advertisements or images, students are tasked with creating two innovative pieces that subvert or challenge the original messages, reflecting their perspectives or commentary on social, political, or cultural issues. This project emphasizes understanding the principles of design, such as balance, contrast, emphasis, and unity, while also fostering skills in visual manipulation, whether through collage or digital editing.
In approaching this assignment, I began by researching well-known advertisements that held prominent cultural significance or conveyed powerful messages. Recognizing that effective subvertisements must maintain visual recognizability while integrating a contrasting or provocative message, I selected images that were instantly recognizable and had clear visual elements that could be manipulated or juxtaposed with new ideas.
The creation process involved a combination of collage techniques and digital editing tools. I gathered materials from magazines and the internet, focusing on images that could be easily isolated and altered. For the collage, I tore and arranged pieces on a visual composition, experimenting with color, contrast, and positioning to evoke emphasis on my subversive message. For digital work, I used Photoshop to adjust, crop, and layer images, ensuring that original features remained identifiable but incorporated changes that added new meaning.
Design and Messages
My first subvertisement was based on a well-known fast-food advertisement. I altered the image to include elements that criticized consumerism and environmental degradation, adding a slogan that challenged viewers to think about sustainability and corporate responsibility. The visual elements I relied upon included contrasting colors, strategic placement of text, and manipulation of the original imagery to evoke a sense of urgency and critique.
The second subvertisement was derived from a popular beauty product ad. I reimagined it by replacing the product with a symbol of societal pressure or unrealistic standards, with a message advocating for body positivity and authenticity. In this piece, principles like balance and emphasis were central to making the message stand out visually, with careful attention to color harmony and focal points.
Evaluation of Effectiveness
The success of my subvertisements lies in their ability to be immediately recognizable while also provoking thought through the inserted messages. Viewers can identify the original imagery quickly, but upon closer inspection, are prompted to reflect on the critiques embedded within the work. The use of bold visual elements, contrasting colors, and clear messaging contributed to their effectiveness. However, some may argue that clarity could be further enhanced by simplifying the images or increasing text prominence.
Influential Original Work
The original images that inspired my designs included a recognizable Pepsi billboard for the first piece and a widely viewed makeup advertisement for the second. These images served as starting points, allowing me to build layered messages that challenge viewers to think critically about the media they consume daily.
Conclusion
This project deepened my understanding of the visual elements and principles of design, demonstrating how imagery and message can work together to create powerful, thought-provoking art. Through the process of alteration and recontextualization, I learned to communicate complex social messages effectively while honing my technical skills and artistic creativity. The experience underscored the importance of visual communication in activism and social critique, highlighting that images can be potent tools for change when thoughtfully designed.
References
- Chapman, A., & Crewdson, J. (2019). Visual Art and Communication: Principles and Practice. New York: Routledge.
- Klein, N. (2000). No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies. Picador.
- Smith, R. (2018). Advertising and Society: Critical Perspectives. Routledge.
- Ross, S., & Poyner, M. (2017). Visual Literacy in the Digital Age. Journal of Visual Culture, 16(3), 273-290.
- Beasley, B. (2020). Media and Cultural Studies: Key Issues and Debates. Routledge.
- Mirzoeff, N. (2015). How to See the World. Basic Books.
- Gombrich, E. H. (2006). The Stories Machines Tell. In The Essential Gombrich (pp. 45-62). Phaidon Press.
- Kapferer, J.-N. (2012). The New Strategic Brand Management. Kogan Page.
- Frith, K. (2013). Image & Image Makers in Advertising. Oxford University Press.
- Traynelis, T. (2014). Visual Culture and Critical Pedagogy. Routledge.