Recycling posters - Research and review

I have done abit of research into existing posters which promote and encourage recycling and I have found some varied results. Quite alot aren't very artistic and are just crammed with information.

"Minimum means, Maximum Meaning" - Abram Games

In order to create an effective graphic design poster to encourage recycling, I must make something as simple as possible but gets across the best message.

Out of both these posters I think the one on the left image wise and text wise. It is just a simple image on a simple background with simple facts centred down the image. No over complication or lies, Just the truth.

The one on the right has the best title of the two with the alliterative caption and meaningful heading but the urgency of recycling is not portrayed in the type on the poster. It is very rounded and happy as if it is an invitation to a children's party, not to combat environmental issues. In order for this kind of poster to be successful, it needs a strong bold striking title and an easy to digest subheading below an equally striking image. Possibly the effects of global warming or the very real impact not recycling has on the planet.

Out of all the posters I have seen, this is probably my favourite and has changed my opinion mid-blog on what a recycling poster should have. It can be sharp and bitter and almost scare the reader into recycling or it can utilise humour to get the point across and still make an impact. And this is what the above poster does. The combination of bold type, witty wording and childish yet stylish imagery all makes out for a balanced and most importantly, effective graphic design poster. I will experiment with both kinds of poster and see which achieves the best results. 

The poster as a whole isn't that complex at all and the background was clearly drawn freehand and scanned in to photoshop for editing and colour addition. The way both sides blend together and balance against each other is very well deigned. and the fact that the trees and hills are almost numbed down with the vibrance of the boxes and type mean it isn't too in your face which means it can be colourful and fun while still staying very professional.

This one uses very back to basics type in that it doesn't make use of any play on words or imagery. it's just said how it is, However the part of the poster which does speak is the image. It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words and this one certainly does. The one image of a grandfather and granddaughter embracing one another in the outdoors is one that without actually saying anything, it gets the message across loud and clear. That even though we might not care too much about our future as we'll be dead before the effects of global warming and littering are drastic, our loved ones will be. And it is for them that we must do our bit to help and get this Earth back on track.

It is made with a photograph of a grandfather and his grandchild and then the horizon line has been blurred so the centre images of the people and the boat look sharper than before. The type on the top has been set to neutral colours with the sky so although they are similar colours amongst the clouds and sky, It is still very much readable. The banner with the type on the bottom is added as without the banner, The text within would be lost. With the addition of that banner not only does it make the type readable, It also balances out the poster horizontally. The image is then balanced vertically as well with the addition of the oar in hand to counteract the boat. In my poster, I will try to make sure that my poster is balanced both vertically and horizontally.

This poster contains no imagery, only type. And in my opinion it is just as effective. The quote is quite striking and the colouring gets brighter and stands out more as the quote gets more meaningful. As a poster to encourage people to treat the Earth well, It is good. But for me, I would prefer an image on my poster, on this one it wouldn't work but on my own design, simply type will not do on it's own.

None of the language in any of the reviewed posters is particularly hard to swallow, as on this matter having complex and unnecessarily undigestible language would hinder the effectiveness of encouraging people to recycle.

The next stage in this process for me will be to actually go out in to the environment and observe the large scale littering and tipping and to sketch what I see. Then I think I will also sketch objects which are renowned for thier usefullness and try to combine the two in one drawing. I will then experiment with different media's and techniques such as photography, prints, photoshop and anything which may or may not be get the message across. And on this I have provided a list of what my poster MUST include:

. A clear, bold message.

. An image or photograph that is seen as striking/thought provoking.

. A very short and sweet paragraph about recycling.

. The recycling logo.

20th December 2010

Jamarch