Visual Advocacy: Senior degree project ideas

Thoughts on my Senior Degree Project

This senior degree project is something that I have on the back burner since I arrived at KCAI 3 years ago. Over the past semesters I have had a few ideas I jotted down in as what I thought could be interesting directions for when the time came. However after this half of a semester in Visual Advocacy all of the readings and discussions we have had most of my stored ideas were seeming flat and uninspiring for my final college piece.

So I began the frantic scrambling for a "million dollar" idea. Which I soon found out is not the way to go about determining a direction. True to form, my first natural instinct was to think what issues in my life graphic design could aid in, change, or improve. One of the next grown up steps may college students take after getting a job is buying a house. Which lead me to wonder how I could use design to help first time home buyers understand they process and what they are getting into when making this huge investment. I could foresee this being a 3 step process of searching for a home that meets your requirements, understanding the purchasing and financial end of your investment, and finally things you need to do after the close of the sale. This is a very scare time for adults and graphic design could help facilitate the whole activity.

Then I remembered how much we have been doing in Rosedale and how design can make such a difference in peoples lives. So I wanted to think of some of the causes or problems I would be happy to be a part of. The first of which being the helping to gain awareness of cervical cancer. One in eight females, teenage girls, are diagnosed with cervical cancer. I was one of those girls so I understand how scary it feels and how foreign all the information the doctors are giving you sounds. I would want to research current standings on causes, treatments, and cures.

Another issue has gained alot of momentum lately is bullying. There is more to bullying than not getting pick for the dodgeball team at recess but there is bulling in the work place and especially on the internet. Cyber bullying is huge. I was also bullied as a teen and had to switch colleges as a result. It ended up for the better but I felt very alone and empty. This could maybe help give these people a voice and not be hurting alone.

There are 2 other social issues that I fell very passionately about which is teenage pregnancy and domestic violence. While this two things are not related they are two things that are very promonate in todays media. Teens and youth are watching shows like teen mom and 16 and pregnant where girls are getting fame and attention for doing something that is far from glamorous or healthy. The same can also be said for domestic violence. Teens are watching there favorite singers and rappers beating the shit out of each other then making songs about it to make them money. This is a huge HUGE problem with generation y. But in looking for the problem behind the problem I wonder how medias influence on social behavior. And how can graphic design help to reverse the negative messages brought to teens through the media.

All of these issues and thought are totally in brainstorming mode. I am trying not to think about solutions at this point only problems. I also really want to design a piece I can be proud of and will really sum up to future employers not only the type of designer I am but some issues and morals I think are important.

What are your thoughts!

Visual Advocacy: Guerilla attempts

This is a video showing some of the feedback and guerilla attempts Tammy and I have made to help revamp, call attention to the kids going to the park.

guerilla graphic design from tammy shell on Vimeo.

VA_Rosedale

VA_Problems and Ideas for Rosedale

key problems I have though of in Rosedale

PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES

sidewalks

sport intramural sports

after school activities

stretched boundaries

poor landscape

rundown buildings

wide range of ethnicities

no grocery stores

high turn over rate

lines of communication

INTERNAL PROBLEMS

no pride

lack of self confidence

poor health

obesity

confidence

self worth

no since of home

no city support

IDEAS

Dance group/ Classes

The purpose of starting dance classes with in rosedale is first and for most to have an activity that can build confidence. Dancing is not only good physical activity but it teaches you to let go of your insecurities and feel comfortable in your own skin. This is an activity that boys and girls can do that would be after school would take place in a church or school. This dance group could be very inexpensive or free to its attendees. The poms would belong to the group to be passed out each class. Music could be chosen based on their given heritages and preferences. The dancers could make their own costumes and could preform at community evens such as the farmers market, soccer games, parades, ect. This is how these young children would learn what it is like to be on stage and feel what a high it gives you to feel confident.This could also involve the parent through father daughter dances and mother daughter dances and classes.

plays in the park

Tapping into kids imagination at this age is crucial. Having them participate in plays would be an after school activity, build confidence, and provide a free entertainment. This could be free for the community to attend and watch plays the kids put on. Or raise money through showings. They could build sets and make own costumes.

sidewalk chalk drawings for a book to raise money

This would basically be a campaign Kids do sidewalk drawings for donations to add new sidewalks. This could be in a book form or a printed photo. On the kids go to their homes and do it on their driveway.

photo backs to ask for help to raise money for spruce up- Can u see the beauty

There are some very cool buildings in Rosedale, even though most are overlooked due to the overgrown nature of most of the areas. Find the inner beauty to raise money to fix the remainder.

bikes for brains

Get bikes for those kids who are getting good grades and are excelling in school.

rental electric cars/ bikes

This is a kind of obscured idea but if there were 2 ports where residents can rent either an electric car to go to the grocery store, dr, or where ever they needed then you put them back and plug them in. Or you could do the some for bikes this would provide residents with a means of transportation to get to the healthy food and promote riding a bike.