Us & Them

Finding An In

The more I research the more transparent the complexity becomes regarding immigration issues. I am still very much intersted in alternative means of communication, though after the series of wheat-pasting posters it has become clear that such a gruff medium is not ultimately condusive for such a delicate issue.

The underlying current in the whole matter is a perceived fundamental threat from the newest incoming wave of migrants.  Once a welcomed and accepted staple of US labor the nuances of this most current wave have shifted the model, and we are just learning about these impacts. Even more remarkable in this context is the fact that what is now America was once Mexican soil. Simply incredible.

Next steps: Find an 'in' to the conversation, an acute aspect relating to the impact of Hispanic-Immigration into America and explore further. Perhaps find an aspect or a cause to champion, to promote change, and find appropriate vehicles of communication for this message.

This week I will explore aspects of alternative map making and arrange a meeting with Wayne Cornelius, director and founder of UCSD's Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies.

Feedback

No more than 6 hours went by before the first poster was defaced. This poster was placed on the corner of McBean and the the I-5 North exit, and someone clearly didn't appreciate the message. I'm glad people have something to say about it. Probably the most poignant feedback I could have received.

A Glance At Democracy

I am interested in making design that breaks down barriers, and just took a stab at a sketch of what that might look like.  The original poster design turned into a series of posters, each depicting a different face, with the copy "Difference is Good For Democracy."

I plan to futher explore this concept through the creation of various design systems that aim to educate/enlighten Americans by initiating a public dialogue  regarding specific aspects of hispanic immigration in America.   

Initial Sketch

This is just a ROUGH initial sketch. Slapping together photographic elements of local election banners/signs and american citizen portrait work by pablo delano.

Content of Form

A scanned quote by Jose Marti, one of the great writers of the Hispanic world. His writings condemn despotic regimes and the curtailment of human rights. Marti denounced the arrogance that we find in the current American political landscape.

"The scorn of our formidable neighbor who does not know us is Our America's greatest danger. And since the day of the visit is near, it is imperative that our neighbor know us, and soon, so that it will not scorn us. Through ignorance it might even come to lay hands on us. Once it does know us, it will remove its hands out of respect. One must have faith in the best of men and distrust the worst."

—Jose Marti,
January 10, 1891

Recap

In an effort to try to make sense of what I have been blogging about and processing the responses that have come from group conversation as well as post-feedback, this post is going to serve as a recap of the week.

In terms of thematics drawn from my own posts it seems that several issues are core to what I am interested in. A clear underlying current is responsibility of design. I am interested in social impact through design, potentially making the world a better place; a riff on my utopian vision from the Design Geneology project. Regarding format, the idea of generating public discourse or making use of formats that lend themselves to public participation are very intersting to me. Tanya had a really great comment about design 'doing the thing that it's talking about rather than simply talking about' which I am keeping in the back of my head. It's a challenging goal to achieve but  goal worthy nontheless. 

Some key points that were brought up in our group conversation during seminar were for me to be open to the idea of using humor to communicate ( a la Alex Rivera). Broadening my pre-conception of neutrality, and that a neutral perspective may not be key. Perhaps demonstrating the stance that I am taking can be more impactful. With that said, I am pro-immigration: it is what this country is founded upon. It is happening, the best we can do is to facilitate it and make it the most productive and meaningful process available. Points of departure: multi-ethincity, individuality, neutrality, conflict resolution.

Distilled from the above points, the core concept that I am interested in pursuing is the elightenment of the American population via education regarding the true impact of immigration.

Some approaches to image making: Using environmental communication to educate, promote, facilitate conversation & foster dialogue.Chose one group, one piece of factual data, explore visually. Reference the current public/political vernacular common to the US electoral publicity process.