Module 4.1 Writing Task – Creating Generative Value
Peace, Pop and Politics
Peace
In response to increased US and UN support in Haiti, redbubble.com featured a zomboy t-shirt design on their homepage.
The design is called all we are saying is give peace a chance. The title is inspired by lyrics from the famous Beatles song ‘Give Peace a Chance’. I created the design in recognition that peace is a contributed effort by all members in society. The concept is simple and broad, two qualities that often work well in t-shirt design.
Detailed View:
When I created this design back in 2008 I was inspired by three members of an organisation called Doctors without Borders that were killed while trying to provide humanitarian aid in Somalia. I regularly donate to this organisation. When I created this design I did not anticipate that it would be featured in response to Haiti disaster relief. However the fact that it has highlights an interesting aspect of design in general. Designs will be interpreted differently according to what is happening in the world at that time.
Pop
There are many examples of t-shirt designs that come in and out of fashion according to pop culture and current events. For example, when Michael Jackson passed away there was an increase in t-shirts that featured the pop star. For example this design by vips depicts an 8bit Michael Jackson through the various stages of his career
People want to wear designs that mean something to them, and more often than not people are affected by current events.
Politics
When president Obama was campaigning in the US for presidency there was a Poster designed by Shepard Fairy with a picture of Obama and the word ‘Hope’ written across the bottom of the design.
This poster became an icon during and after the US election. So much so that many t-shirt designers started to mimic the design and apply it to other famous figureheads. For example, Star Wars spoofs became popular including this design by Tom Ledin.
Other famous people were being portrayed including Conan O’Brien in this design by djcoffman.
The Hope design has taken on new direction back on the political front also, with the Hope is Fading Fast design released by LA streetwear company Freshjive.
T-shirt design is a powerful medium for displaying peoples’ personal opinions and beliefs on current events and pop culture. When people wear a t-shirt that depicts something they believe in they are wearing it proud and taking it to the streets for other people to ponder. What people wear reflects what is happening in society.
References
Red Bubble Home Page [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2010, from http://www.redbubble.com/
All We Are Saying is Give Peace a Chance [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2010 from http://www.redbubble.com/people/zomboy/t-shirts/2801114-2-all-we-are-saying-is-give-peace-a-chance
King of Pop [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2010 from http://www.redbubble.com/people/vips/t-shirts/4030076-3-king-of-pop
Trap [Image] (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2010 from http://www.redbubble.com/people/tioem/t-shirts/4051703-3-trap
