WORDS + POSTER = WORD ART

    I like the power of "words" to visually teach, express, awaken and tell the stories of our world's images and needs. Our students, with Asian and European backgrounds had experienced many conflicts at home and in their new country as well. This was an opportunity to look into some of their personal issues and with words as a paint brush, create a poster-story of views they wanted to tell.

    This poster would encourage computer use for words or image assistance.

What is a "Social Reform" Poster?

1.Symbols, drawings, words that portray an opinion to demonstrate, correct, extol or decry a personal belief.

2. Since "words" are a dominant feature here, students were encouraged to experiment with computer fonts that best expressed the tone and character of their idea.

3.Requirements: 3 symbols and 80-100 computer words or 40-60 drawn words; 1-4 word Heading; 1 collaged word and background/media of choice. A great time for creative writing!

These 3 demo's were content offerings. Above is an "Anti-War" poster, has missiles, a peace sign, and a dove as "symbols", and 74 computer words. The word "War" is collaged.

Content: "Generations of Hatred ENSURES THAT TOMORROWS'S CHILDREN WILL CONTINUE TO RENEW THE SICKNESSES OF THE PAST INSTEAD OF CREATING THE HOPES AND JOYS OF A WORLD AT PEACE. WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO FORGIVE? PEOPLE WERE CREATED NOT TO OWN THE WORLD BUT TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS. The young must have the courage to turn the world around.

The theme, "The CITY" has 71 words; a building, bridge, and bricks as symbols.

Some content: "Home for some, homeless for others, a place of painted wall, gangs, garbage, and drugs...rich, poor, young, old, all living their unique call to destiny." Some other words: Universities, Golf Courses, Soup Kitchens, Trucks, Jails, Hospitals, Polution, Trains, Schools, etc.

What thoughts would you add?

I know very few teenagers who don't like driving cars, which prompted this idea. The Car Poster aims to both admire the wonderful technology developed over the decades, and to stress the importance of this gift in the hands of the driver.

It has 81 words with lots of repetition (speed kills) with roads, a hub cap and bricks as symbols. Other words: X-Ways, Motion, Racing, Brakes and Pedestrians.

Some considerations: (1) Black or colored computer words printed on white added to a white background show no edges. (2) We worked some posters in a small 9X12 size, took it to our Resource Center and had them enlarged to 22"X28" as shown here. (3) Students also liked creating and printing computer "textures" and adding these in their compositions. (4) It was important to write and re-write the text that would comprise the poster contents.