As stated in my aims and interpretation of the brief, I want to explore money as a platform of communication accessible for everyone. I took a list of idea's to the first critique prior to creating a range of initial sketches, allowing conceptual development prior to experimenting with artwork.
After explaining my initial idea's to the crit group, Tutors and peer's felt the best avenue to explore was social and global issues facing us today. We discussed other idea's such as implementing humour, tributes to musicians, exploring futuristic money and subsequently the use of glow in the dark inks for production. Other idea's included: world currency valid anywhere, exploring one specific undesirable country (such as Syria) for its benefits and beauty and exploring the relationship between humanity, animals and race. As money is only available for those in a certain position, I wanted to introduce a concept where the wealthy are encouraged to give to the homeless and unfortunate, promoting humanity and living in harmony. Unfortunately this idea was rejected in the critique as wealthy people seldom carry change to give and shouldn't be guilted just because they are successful.
Mind map of world issues //
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In the critique the idea arose to communicate the largest, most pressing issues on the lowest denominations (£5) as this is what most people will encounter daily. As we move up the numeric denomination it is possible for the topics to alter, yet all areas of investigation need to be shocking to prevent thought. |
Initial Sketches //
In the first critique we chose the idea to pursue with global issues. I was very conscious that the bank note design and concept had to be feasible and universal, overlooking the fact that it was for a exhibition and has the potential to be a stimulating exhibition piece only. With this in mind, I attempted to sketch in a communicative way, incorporating styles previously researched on Bechance. It is possible to incorporate photography similar to Byran Rodriguez, yet I will need to pre-consider traditional printing methods if I explore this avenue.
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Exploring homelessness and abuse. It has become common knowledge that homeless can occur after a unfortunate situation, yet may people don't acknowledge this and still take their good fortune for granted. After my parents divorce my father was forcibly made homeless, so this topic of instant change is quite close to my heart. I am unsure of how to convey this message without sounding patronising or it loosing the severity, so perhaps showcasing this in more abstract ways may be more effective. |
Investigating more global issues including abuse (both sexual and mental), alongside investigating the world's economy and travel. Due to many recent campaigns such as the Slut Walk and Kesha's battle with Sony sexual abuse has been very prominent in daily life. As this is still quite a taboo subject I wanted to address it head on, with the intention to stimulate a change of attitude or awareness. Just like homelessness, sexual abuse can effect anyone making it just as much of a issue as sexism, racism or politics. I wanted to convey fear and true emotion within the compositions, yet not so scary children or survivors would be afraid of interacting with the currency.
After conducting further research into the financial state of other countries, I found it shocking that £5 is the equivalent to 25 Brazilian Dollars. Due to the state of terror the world has been sucked into I wanted to explore travel in a way that stimulates both economies, highlighting the purpose of currency. As Brazil is still considered quite a popular destination (compared to other bad economies such as Venezuela), I thought this would grab attention and perpetuate thought further.
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Exploring deforestation over a series of bank notes. This could be presented as a new £10 note every few years, or simply represented over £5/10/20's released in the same year. As deforestation is such an under rated world concern, I feel this may be the most important and unifying problem we all share as humans. Without humanity becoming more aware of the severity of deforestation, the world will naturally be depleted of its resources and eventually the human race all together. With regards to climate change I could explore the same style yet with the ice caps melting, alternatively this can transcend human barriers and tackle racism/poverty equally as well. I feel the idea of a sequence to be effective in communicating a message's severity clearly, yet am concerned that only one will be available to view at the exhibition meaning it needs to be understandable on it's own. |
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Exploring transitions of humanity through the gadgets we posses, alongside conceptual and traditional methods of design. The bottom idea further relates to deforestation, showing a tractor ploughing through a set of tree's. My intention for this design was to include minimum typography, possibly include a set of numbers complemented by informative photography. |
Despite not wanting to delve straight into digital design, I have realised my creative process evolves best when working digitally. I wanted to show the transition of the rainforest being diminished through the use of colour and a playful illustration. As the subject content is quite harsh for younger viewers I wanted the tree illustration to be quite soft and fluid, introducing curved lines- not just jagged tree tops. The use of the circle, increasing in size throughout the design transition is to represent the sun, alongside giving a modernist quality. The colour and scale is changing each time, showing the effects of climate change on the world, alongside the darkness of colour becoming more ominous throughout the jungle because of this.
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The bottom set of images are intended to be released in the same year, with the most severe and type heavy messages being communicated by a £5 note. I experimented with small (12pt) type saying "In change we trust, In humans we trust", bringing the responsibility back down to the viewer. The wording also connotes to the American dollar, suggesting a global unity and Western responsibility. A subtle glow/smog covers the space where the rainforest has been, remaining the same size each time yet constantly looking different to the viewer due to the contrast of tree's. I am unsure wether to progress down an illustrative or typographic route, as naturally this will impact my production method. I am currently considering a 2/3 colour screen print with letterpress overlaid, yet feel this could be too intricate to produce accurately via Screen Printing. |
I later investigated the use of facts on each bank note, increasing in severity the further up we go.
I opted for the most powerful fact to be on a £20 as with a 20, you often receive more change and may be prompted to give some in local donation boxes. I am unsure of a typeface choice as I am still considering the production method and what I want the type to convey. I feel a strong typeface could be most responsive, highlighting the importance of the message, yet would not want the type to distract from the artwork and design itself.
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