Brief
The aim of this project is to explore how visual rhetoric can be employed to conceptually interpret and communicate a societal issue. I was tasked to design two persuasive posters that employ visual rhetoric to communicate a standpoint on a societal issue. They must convey key themes of the issue in a conceptually and visually engaging manner.
Rationale
My two posters delve into the intricate subject of the fragility of student mental health, employing the rhetorical device of metaphor to convey their message. Both compositions centre around the symbolic use of rope to encapsulate the essence of this theme.
Poster 1 employs a somber and direct approach, employing meticulous details in the depiction of frayed fragments of the rope to accentuate the prevailing tension surrounding mental health within the student population. The visual representation serves to underscore the incessant strain endured by students, evocatively reinforced by the poignant headline, "Don't wait until the breaking point." By portraying the rope as irreparably damaged, the poster invokes connotations of a desperate state, alluding to the gravity of the issue, including the potential for tragic outcomes such as suicide.
The second poster adopts a somewhat more optimistic tone, while still incorporating the imagery of a rope. This portrayal, however, harbours a sense of hope as the person has a chance to reach the end of the rope, suggesting the possibility for individuals to successfully traverse their mental health challenges. The overall aesthetic maintains a raw and precarious quality, symbolising the delicate nature of the subject matter at hand. Additionally, the background featuring a cloudy sky evokes a sense of melancholy associated with the issue while intensifying the visual impact of the individual depicted walking on the tightrope, further emphasising the vulnerable nature of their mental well-being.
