Propaganda

When we had to search quick, accessible ways to tell serious information, I had a hard time finding creative ways people do that. Then I thought of propaganda. Both of those are effective means by which to tell a message. And there could be very little directly telling us what to think too.

Below are three decently known WWII propaganda posters. Though they do not say what the problem is with "someone talking" or "loose lips" directly, the art portrays the message. Talking about the navy (and other military departments) would provide opportunities for the enemy to hear and use that information to their advantage. The connotation suggests speaking is dangerous. Even without the accessibility of the internet, these posters stuck up all over cities were enough to get the message across the entire nation.

It may not be awe-inspiring, but as I research cycles of awe and the psychology behind it, I find it interesting that we cycle ideas or effective means of communication. Brian Moore (work shown below) took these old WWII propaganda posters and parodied them to be effective propaganda posters for today's time. He came back to the original sources of well known propaganda posters and used them again. What does that say about the new posters? Do you find it effective? What would have changed in terms of the message if he had just created new propaganda posters? I think because the idea of propaganda is heavily tied into WWII posters, that feeling is echoed in the new posters. Parody of old propaganda posters automatically brings a certain connotation to the new ideas being presented in Moore's work.

Posters, whether propaganda or not, must convey or sell a message immediately. Minimalist posters present an idea or message with minimal images or text. Billboards must be structured so that a passerby can see the message quickly. We cycle back to posters to tell a message because it can be effective and accessible.