OUGD505 - Studio Brief 01 - Initial Ideas

For this brief we were asked to look into design relating to social, political and ethical change. We were to choose a current issue which we are personally interested in and passionate about.  We were then to collate a body of research surrounding this topic which will later inform practical work aiming to provoke social, political or ethical change focusing on the identified issue.

It took a while to choose an issue to focus on but after some deliberation I narrowed my choices down to two topics; our reliance on technology and overpopulation. 
I began looking into both topics online and attempted to find information and visual outcomes relating to both.

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There wasn't much visual work surrounding either topic which I was pleased about as I dislike working on projects that have already been done. I don't feel there is any value in producing work that is too similar to existing projects.

I did find some nice design and illustrative pieces which attempt to tackle these issues, a few are shown above. I especially like the illustration by John Holcroft shown directly above. This is part of a set of illustrations looking at various current issues but this piece was most relevant to my project. The use of vintage style illustration juxtaposed with the very modern issues is effective, it adds to the humour behind the work. 

Overpopulation is an issue which definitely needs addressing however it is very difficult to do this. People don't want to hear about it as the only real ways to tackle it are very extreme and I don't want to produce propaganda inciting people to cull a large portion of the people on earth or telling them not to bother reproducing. Although there is scope to be a bit tongue in cheek with this, I feel it is too sensitive an issue and this would be a massive restriction on what I could produce.

Looking into our reliance on technology and how this is affecting the way we think and the way we interact with one another is something I have been able to find reams of articles and scientific studies on. This will be invaluable when gathering research. I also feel it is a topic which is relevant to the majority of the population. 
The issue is something which I feel strongly about as I see it in day to day life. I work part time in a restaurant and the amount of couples and families I see sat on their phones and tablets, when they should really be conversing with the people they have chosen to go out and eat with, is shocking. I myself am also guilty of focusing on whats on the screen in front of me rather than what the people around me have to say. This is an issue I am attempting to address in my everyday life and the prospect of getting others to do the same is exciting.