- PROTEST PACK -
Red Squirrels
For this project I have decided to focus on the conservation of Red Squirrels, they are my favourite native British animal and they mean a lot to me. Therefore the decline in numbers of reds and an increase in grey squirrels is incredibly important to me. Most recently I have noticed that there are grey squirrels at the University of Cumbria campus, then only a few miles away there is s a red squirrel crossing sign. Reds and Greys cannot coexist in the same environment therefore I think we need to raise awareness for Red Squirrel's in the Carlisle catchment area to prevent them being wiped out in this area which would be an absolute tragedy.
© Craig Shuttleworth/RSST
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"There are two species of squirrel in the UK; red squirrels and grey squirrels. Populations are currently estimated at approximately 140,000 red squirrels and 2.5 million grey squirrels. Red squirrels are our native species and have lived in the UK for around 10,000 years, Grey squirrels were introduced to the UK from North America by the Victorians in the 1800s, the first record of them escaping and establishing a wild population is 1876. Why do Red Squirrels need protecting? Grey squirrels are a familiar sight for many people across large parts of the UK and are often seen in parks and gardens, whilst the range of our native red squirrels is now limited to certain areas of the UK, such as Anglesey, parts of northern England and Scotland. In many cases they have retreated to wilder, remote locations. Unfortunately, without conservation management, red squirrels could become extinct in England in approximately 10 years. Time is really running out to save our red squirrels. To preserve red squirrels, they must be kept apart from grey squirrels as the two species cannot live together long term. The map below illustrates this as it shows that grey squirrels have replaced red squirrels across almost all of England and Wales." |
Red Squirrel Charities
To start this project I researched some red squirrel charities and seen what kind of things that they sell to raise funds for conservation.
To start this project I researched some red squirrel charities and seen what kind of things that they sell to raise funds for conservation.
Initial Ideas
I have created a few pages of initial ideas and sketches based on what I want to create for this project. I found this very useful as it made me consider reusing designs across multiple items.
I have created a few pages of initial ideas and sketches based on what I want to create for this project. I found this very useful as it made me consider reusing designs across multiple items.
When I think of artwork that makes a point and protests for a cause Jill Pelto is the first name that comes to mind, the way she incorporates statistics into her artwork is astounding to me.
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Only around 287,000 of the UK’s red squirrels remain in various strongholds, with Scotland being home to around 75% of the population. (Distribution)
The survival of many of these strongholds relies on active management by organisations, volunteers and land managers to remove invasive grey squirrels - introduced from North America in the 1870’s. Although some have natural barriers that prevent grey squirrel invasion, including islands like the Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island. |
Facts and Sketches
To start this project off I researched some facts and figures surrounding the decline in red squirrel numbers, these were collected to inform my protest pack and what I wanted to achieve through the creation of this. For me it was about raising awareness and hopefully encouraging people to donate to local read squirrel conservation charities. I additionally sketched out some quick concepts and ideas these really helped me to get an idea of the way I wanted to progress the project forward. My favourites are the middle two designs on the right hand page, the tree is very delicate and I also really like the orange tones illustration beneath it.
To start this project off I researched some facts and figures surrounding the decline in red squirrel numbers, these were collected to inform my protest pack and what I wanted to achieve through the creation of this. For me it was about raising awareness and hopefully encouraging people to donate to local read squirrel conservation charities. I additionally sketched out some quick concepts and ideas these really helped me to get an idea of the way I wanted to progress the project forward. My favourites are the middle two designs on the right hand page, the tree is very delicate and I also really like the orange tones illustration beneath it.
Poster Thumbnails and Protest Pack Items
I knew from the start of this project that the most effective form of communication would be posters to give people information and get the chance to explain why Red Squirrels are so important. I have added little stars to the designs that I liked best. It was also at this time that Dani gave me the idea of Vietnam War Propaganda Squirrel, we all laughed about it at first but the idea of little squirrel fighting back is actually really powerful! I also intended to create some merchandise to go alongside my posters these could be used to raise funds for conservation.
I knew from the start of this project that the most effective form of communication would be posters to give people information and get the chance to explain why Red Squirrels are so important. I have added little stars to the designs that I liked best. It was also at this time that Dani gave me the idea of Vietnam War Propaganda Squirrel, we all laughed about it at first but the idea of little squirrel fighting back is actually really powerful! I also intended to create some merchandise to go alongside my posters these could be used to raise funds for conservation.
Logo for the Protest Pack
I also though that it was important to have a log for this project., so I quickly created a few that I could later develop of use.
I also though that it was important to have a log for this project., so I quickly created a few that I could later develop of use.
Squirrel Distribution Map
I wanted to try and combine the shape of the map of the UK with the shape of a red squirrel but it turns out that is a very complicated thing to do. The shapes don't fit together well so it becomes quite confusing when trying to overlay the map and the squirrel together.
I wanted to try and combine the shape of the map of the UK with the shape of a red squirrel but it turns out that is a very complicated thing to do. The shapes don't fit together well so it becomes quite confusing when trying to overlay the map and the squirrel together.
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Protest Pack Concept 1 - Blue and Orange Ink Design
For this project I create three concepts that I could take forward within the final protest pack. This design would be based around the contrast between orange and blue, it is forest themed focusing on the destruction grey squirrels cause to the red habitat and in turn the damage that this does to our environment. I really like this style however it my not be the mot effective way to get across the importance of Red Squirrels.
For this project I create three concepts that I could take forward within the final protest pack. This design would be based around the contrast between orange and blue, it is forest themed focusing on the destruction grey squirrels cause to the red habitat and in turn the damage that this does to our environment. I really like this style however it my not be the mot effective way to get across the importance of Red Squirrels.
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Protest Pack Concept 2 - Vietnam War Propaganda
The second of the three concepts is based upon Vietnam War Propaganda, the bold colours and black outlines give and automatic feeling of power which could lend itself wonderfully to a Red Squirrel Protest we need to make a big impression to get peoples attention. A protest pack like this would appeal to a younger generation of teenagers which are the people that have the biggest impact on our future, by influencing a younger audience we could hopefully make a positive impact on the future and protect the red squirrels for future generations.
The second of the three concepts is based upon Vietnam War Propaganda, the bold colours and black outlines give and automatic feeling of power which could lend itself wonderfully to a Red Squirrel Protest we need to make a big impression to get peoples attention. A protest pack like this would appeal to a younger generation of teenagers which are the people that have the biggest impact on our future, by influencing a younger audience we could hopefully make a positive impact on the future and protect the red squirrels for future generations.
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Protest Pack Concept 3 - Maps and Figures
The final of the three concept is based upon maps, this is just too confusing I can tell already. Therefore I have discounted this idea straight away, it doesn't communicate effectively.
The final of the three concept is based upon maps, this is just too confusing I can tell already. Therefore I have discounted this idea straight away, it doesn't communicate effectively.
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Spare Ink Experiments
I never like to waste ink so when I had some extra ink I used it to create these four loose ink paintings.
I never like to waste ink so when I had some extra ink I used it to create these four loose ink paintings.
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What to include in the Protest Pack?
I used these three pages to try and decide what to include within my protest pack, the page on the right definitely helped me to decide what colours to use for my protest pack.
I used these three pages to try and decide what to include within my protest pack, the page on the right definitely helped me to decide what colours to use for my protest pack.
Edited Designs
I edited my quick designs digitally to create little designs which could become posters.
I edited my quick designs digitally to create little designs which could become posters.
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Map Design Planning
I still wanted to try and include a map in one of my protest pack items so I tried to develop a less confusing way of showing the numbers but unfortunately it still just looks like a confusing mess, I think I just have to admit that the most effective version of this map is the original created by Craig Shuttleworth and anything I do to it will only make it less effective.
I still wanted to try and include a map in one of my protest pack items so I tried to develop a less confusing way of showing the numbers but unfortunately it still just looks like a confusing mess, I think I just have to admit that the most effective version of this map is the original created by Craig Shuttleworth and anything I do to it will only make it less effective.
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Logo Creation
I digitally edited the earlier logo designs that I created to make myself a logo, my favourite is definitely the one in the middle so this is the one I chose to take forward as a logo.
I digitally edited the earlier logo designs that I created to make myself a logo, my favourite is definitely the one in the middle so this is the one I chose to take forward as a logo.
Badges
I used my chosen logo to create some enamel pins, my favourite is the one on the left but I just enjoy the simplicity of this pin and I think that the different colours would allow people to chose the pin that appealed most to them. I also used the ink experiment that I created earlier as a backing texture.
I used my chosen logo to create some enamel pins, my favourite is the one on the left but I just enjoy the simplicity of this pin and I think that the different colours would allow people to chose the pin that appealed most to them. I also used the ink experiment that I created earlier as a backing texture.
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Greyscale Ink Washes
I started these poster by giving them a black ink wash and lines to try and get close to the style of the the Vietnam War Propaganda posters, I found it interesting to try and create squirrel paintings in this way when usually I would make them very cute and fluffy whereas this time my aim was to make the sleeker and more powerful and grounded in the page.
I started these poster by giving them a black ink wash and lines to try and get close to the style of the the Vietnam War Propaganda posters, I found it interesting to try and create squirrel paintings in this way when usually I would make them very cute and fluffy whereas this time my aim was to make the sleeker and more powerful and grounded in the page.
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Coloured Ink Posters
After the grey layer I used coloured inks to overlay and create a more bold design, I decided to use the exact same colours across all of the posters so that they match and look like a set, I think this is very effective and ties the images together. I found it interesting to be painting with another style in mind, especially a style that I am not usually familiar with.
After the grey layer I used coloured inks to overlay and create a more bold design, I decided to use the exact same colours across all of the posters so that they match and look like a set, I think this is very effective and ties the images together. I found it interesting to be painting with another style in mind, especially a style that I am not usually familiar with.
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Final Protest Posters
These are the final set of posters I am pleased with how they turned out, and I feel as though I have managed to unify them all really well through the use of colours and paper background texture. My favourites are the bottom two posters, they are definitely the most powerful designs because of the squirrel stance.
These are the final set of posters I am pleased with how they turned out, and I feel as though I have managed to unify them all really well through the use of colours and paper background texture. My favourites are the bottom two posters, they are definitely the most powerful designs because of the squirrel stance.
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