Current Thesis focus
Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods, many of which have been bettered by the collective work of community associations. One possible angle is to create an ad campaign showcasing and promoting these community organizations and networks. I hope to strengthen the publics visual interaction with their city.
Focus Terms
mobilize
communities of practice
participation,
awareness,
visual landscape
opportunities
facilitator
urban vernacular
Possible design avenue/ Design deliverables
Poster series, Billboard, public installation
Reason/Purpose:
Engage community and public to get involved and become a part of target organizations.
Creating a new visual landscape with proposed ad campaign
Ad campaign / design will serve as a facilitator
Different from Baltimore “Believe” campaign, focus is more on engaging people in activities and organizations they might not be aware of. (example: cultural drumming, african dance, exploring heritage, wellness)
Audience:
Community organizations and networks, public, designers, possible implementations in schools, neighborhood community centers, buses, city billboards
Elevator Pitch (tentative)
A designers journey to mobilize community organizations to visually interact with their city
Encourage public to visually interact with their city
Mobilizing the community and public to visually interact with city
Engaging public consciousness through community ad campaign
Community Mobilizing Ad campaign re-defining urban vernacular
Target Organizations
Sankofa Dance Theater, West Baltimore
What they promote:
promote authentic African art forms through dance, music, folklore and crafts.
provides comprehensive art programs to increase the quality of life among families, especially families living in at-risk communities.
Drum and Dance classes (Young & Adult)
Goodwill Africa Performance Tour
Black To Our Roots Program, Central Baltimore
What they promote:
cross country travel, international travel community service, art & design, environmentalism, rights of passage program,
Organic Soul, Central Baltimore City
What they promote:
a long-running open-mic series and venue providing a creative outlet for local Baltimore poets, musicians and spoken word artists,
Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella, North Baltimore
What they promote:
Umbrella Radio is a nonprofit community based cooperative internet streaming radio station serving the communities of North Baltimore and the world. The audio stream broadcasts original indie music, poetry, local arts and community based programming
easier for artists and art lovers to find each other and work on projects that benefit both them and the community.
Vibez Community Space, Central Baltimore
What they promote:
Open community space for gallery showings and events promoting wellness, community dialogue,
Interesting research findings
United Way of Greater Rochester
United Way of Greater Rochester advertising campaign was based on a strategy to convey the very dramatic issues we face as a community and focus on United Way’s success in identifying and addressing them. Each ad has its own microsite and TV spot giving United Way a consistent message in all media.
-Dan Mulcahy
Brenda Brodsky art director & Tim Downs, creative director
I tend to concur with the musings of artist & designer Jordan Seiler,
Or do we take it upon ourselves to alter the landscape in which we travel, adorning the walls we live with so that they suite our needs and present our own image of a reality we have determined for ourselves?
I have found that visually interacting with public space has increased my sense of responsibility for, and dedication to my city.
