Graphic design and visual communication can be a powerful tool to affect change, shape culture, and persuade opinions and actions of audiences across social, cultural, economic, and/or political circumstances. This project introduces students to graphic design as a tool for action and social impact. Students develop messaging campaigns that build awareness, educate and inform on overarching themes and topics with a shared intent to reach a broad audience and shift behaviors and attitudes among people.
Students work across digital and physical media and must consider how their campaign functions cohesively across digital and physical environments including social media messaging and (OOH – Out of Home) printed media.
Not only do students learn how to design a cross platform messaging campaign across social media and print, but they also learn how to measure its impact on community by working with stakeholders and other participants and collecting and analyzing data.
Students work through research and framing phases to develop unique campaigns within the overarching assignment parameters. Before design phases begin, students outline impact objectives they wish to achieve via their campaigns. Students then begin design development and upon completion, implement their campaigns with participating audience members and stakeholders. Students are asked to collect data during implementation based on their impact objectives, and then report on these findings in conclusions.
This work was completed by upperclassmen, undergraduate graphic design students at ECU.
See below to view collaborative video presentations by students that discuss the final outcomes of implementing their campaigns in the community, which includes details on the successes (and failures) of impact goals based on their data collection techniques and final analysis.
This work was also featured as an exhibition at the ECU Student Center Gallery this spring. It is currently on view through February 2021. The exhibition features the work of all graphic design senior students (listed below) with over 75 pieces in the show.
Madison Wicks
Hannah Rowerdink
Chelsea Davis
Edwin Averette
Imani McCray
Carter Jewell
Jordan Crass
Myiah Nueman
Sarah Brock
Sabrina Fink
Desteney Hopkins Edwards
Tiana Robinson
Adriana Cadorniga
Andrew Crane
Savannah Durham
Ty Huff
Graesyn Lockhart
Casey Parker
Natalie Pray
Athena Ratzman
Joshua Smith
Hannah Stevens
Shelby Scott
Kat Tayar
Hunter Winslow
