Ellie Chappell COP3 Proposal
‘What is good? To what extent does social responsibility impact on the role and function of illustration? My growing interest in the human condition, particularly behaviour and health and well-being has lead to my creative projects revolving around people; what, why and how we all find solutions to every day problems as well as increasing awareness about the ever- changing world around us. I have a huge concern, but also an interest in the way that we interact with technology and social media, particularly the way that a large percentage of the population are living their lives through their mobile phones and not experiencing the ‘real world’ first-hand. Something that I would love to explore would be the ways in which illustrative methods of communication can break through the zombified, narrow-minded, bubbles that people seem to be concealing themselves within. How can the power of illustration inform and inspire the minds that don’t believe that there is more to life than gaining likes on a new profile picture? Additionally, I would like to research further into ways that illustration and other methods of visual communication can be utilised and more valued in the contexts away from those revolving around consumer culture.The 2000 version of the ‘first things first manifesto’ adapted by the Adbusters stresses that ‘many cultural interventions, social marketing campaigns, books, magazines, exhibitions, educational tools, television programmes, films, charitable causes and other information design projects urgently require our expertise and help’. This defines more worthwhile causes that require creative minds to create visual methods of communication in order to solve a problem, that could help people learn, engage and develop in a number of ways, as opposed to feeding their narcissistic ego’s. In particular, the role of art within the healing environment fascinates me, particularly the practice of art therapies and effectiveness of visual recovery aids. This may be a route in particular that my research may be shaped around.
Related Subjects Visual Language and Healthcare •
How crucial is the role of the designer when it comes to informing and educating people about their health?
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Use of language and imagery in synthesis to promote and emphasise the importance of a healthy lifestyle
Education •
Effectiveness of creative learning processes and encouraging exploration through expression of mark/mess making/building etc
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Increasing the use of educational picture books for all abilities
How the curriculum and the Government don’t value arts education as heavily as maths, sciences and humanities subjects •
Activism vs Passiveness Creativity needs to stop being exploited by consumerism, and used to encourage narcissism
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Illustration in context of good causes, e.g. charities
Art Therapy The importance and effectiveness of creating an additional medium of communication between the patient and the therapist •
Solving/reflecting upon difficult topics that cannot be expressed in alternative ways •
How this practice can be used to develop selfawareness of coping with difficult issues
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Therapy isn’t just for ‘psychos’. Realisation that it is helpful for absolutely anyone.
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Creative Healing Environments •
How the use of visual aids can enhance recovery
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Effectiveness of self-help books
Quotes •
‘Consumerism is running uncontested; it must be challenged by other perspectives expressed, in part through visual languages and resources of design’, (Adbusters 2000)
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‘Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist’ (Eileen Miller)
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‘All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual’ (Albert Einstein)
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‘I want life. I want to read it and write it and feel it and live it. I want, for as much of the time as possible in this blink-of-an-eye existence we have, to feel all that can be felt’ (Matt Haig)
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‘How different would people act if they couldn’t show off on social media? Would they still do it?’ (Donna Lynn Hope)
Books
Websites
http://www.creativereview-magazine.co.uk/ https://www.psychologytoday.com http://www.theguardian.com/society http://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/25-mostamazing-community-arts-projects/ http://www.ohcomely.co.uk
Images