DPI: Project 2B - Poster Design "Refugees in Malaysia"

10.5.2021 - 31.5.2021 (Week 6 - Week 9)
Wendy Seto / 0348805
GCD61204 Digital Photography and Imaging / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 2B: Poster Design

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PROJECT 2B: POSTER DESIGN

1. WEEK 6: Research

1.1 Moodboard

fig 1.1.1 my moodboard (poster references from Pinterest) 10/05/21


fig 1.1.2 a movie that reminds me of the poster design sub-topic I decided to work on 10/05/21

1.2 Topic

INTRODUCTION:

By March 2021, there are approximately 178,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia registered with UNHCR. About 11 percent of them are from other countries, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. About 67 percent of refugees and asylum-seekers are men, and 33 percent are women. About 36,331 refugees are children under the age of 18. What you might not know is these people need our help, they are currently seeking for survival

. One of the main reason is that they are facing difficulties on finding a job.

PARAGRAPH 1: The new Malaysian government, elected in May 2018, has pledged to ratify the international refugee convention and allow refugees to work in the country. However, it has yet to do so. Furthermore, a 2019 report by the (Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) estimates if refugees were allowed to work legally, they could contribute up to RM 3 billion to the GDP and RM 50 million annually in taxes by 2024. The IDEAS report also indicates that most registered refugees in Malaysia work in the agricultural, construction and cleaning sectors often considered “4D” jobs – dirty, dangerous, difficult and demeaning. Many are now highly reliant on aid from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and well-wishers to survive.

PARAGRAPH 2: Giving the right to work can help empower refugees in Malaysia, it could actually be beneficial for all parties. By them being able to receive an income, they can fulfill their families need and contribute on paying taxes legally to the country. Malaysia is a developing country, by giving opportunities to foreigners it will help to bring new ideas for a sustainable future for everyone. SUMMARY: Everyone deserves a job, we all have the right to work regardless to who we are and where we came from, no exception for refugees. How are they supposed to survive if their rights are not being recognised?

2. WEEK 7: Concept Defining

2.1 Creating a sketch for each layers: (Title, Slogan, Call for Action)

fig 2.1.1 title 22/05/21

fig 2.1.2 slogan 22/05/21

2.1.3 call for action 22/05/21

2.2 Mock Up Poster(s)

fig 2.2.1 my mock up posters 22/05/21

3. WEEK 8 - WEEK 9: Poster Design Development & Finalization

3.1 Photograph and Graphical Elements

I accompanied my mom going to a traditional market nearby our house and brought my pocket camera with me. I love taking street photography, capturing moments simply makes me happy. Things change, people changes, memories dont. I do not have a professional camera though, but I see the value and quality in art not only from its resolutions. Well, it is way too wide to be elaborated that way.

Here are some pictures that I took that day:

fig. 3.1.1 pictures I took around the traditional market 22/05/21

I selected two pictures that I think might work for this project and colour grade them on Photoshop. Well, actually I colour graded all not only these two hahahah. Also, I should have colour grade it later when finalizing the poster design but this is just how impatient I am so here we go.

fig 3.1.2 colour grading 22/05/21

I actually got a picture that is pretty similar to my second mock up poster design but I am afraid that it was 'too balinese', not 'malaysian' enough hahahah.

fig 3.1.3 one of many pictures I decided to not use 22/05/21

I am not a Malaysian citizen so I searched for refugees pictures on the internet and decided to use this silhouette graphic.

fig 3.1.4 refugees silhouette graphic I found on the internet

3.2 Composition

I started creating a composition for my poster design. 

fig 3.2.1 composition progress 24/05/21

I realized that the board showed an underwear advertisement which is so irrelevant to the topic so I did a modification on it using Procreate Pocket on my phone. It was not that smooth but I think it was enough, it is not the main part of the poster anyway.

fig 3.2.2 modifying on procreate pocket 24/05/21

fig 3.2.3 inserting the refugees silhouette graphic and make a slight adjustment 24/05/21

3.3 Typography

I created 3 different typography compositions in Illustrator.

fig 3.3.1 three different typography compositions I created in Illustrator 27/05/21

When combining with the background design I composited in Photoshop, I noticed that the texts were not really visible so I decided to add some shadow effects. 

fig 3.3.2 adding shadows 29/05/21

fig 3.3.3 my 3 finalized poster designs 29/05/21

I have to choose one for my final submission so I asked some of my friends which one is more appealing to them and they said they liked the first one. They are not design students but I think how public react to this kind of poster or awareness matter as much as designers because we actually designed this for them, aren't we? 

fig 3.3.4 final project 2b poster design 29/05/21

And finally, here is my final poster design for the theme: “Refugees in Malaysia” focusing on the issue of their working rights. I really like how it turned out especially the colours and composition. I am really glad that I got the shots of these 2 pictures that I put in the background especially the bottom one, it is actually a picture of a closed market but I imagine it as a refugee camp or warehouse. I also love how I colour graded them, as you can see I do prefer warm tones over cool tones. Talking about the composition, I intentionally put the people walking in queue on top of the closed market picture to show how they live under their hard work. Let’s say the roof is the bridge of “opportunity” for them to survive. It is kinda hard to explain it in words but I hope you get what I am trying to convey. Moving on, why did I chose to use a silhouette for the people? A journey is identical with the term sunrise to sunset and what does the sun creates? Silhouette. Exactly. For example, when we are taking a picture against the sunlight, it will create a silhouette. The most challenging part is probably the typography, I am so indecisive so it was hard for me to finally be able to pick one to submit as my final poster design. Well, even until now, I am still not sure if I picked the right one. I hope this poster does deliver my messages well and can actually be used to help the right of the refugees in Malaysia to be recognized as it should have. Otherwise, how are they supposed to survive?