POSTER

Task: Creating a poster reflecting the CI theme of the semester
Course Code and Name: MSJ11213 Principles of Public Relations
Project Name: I WAS AN ARTIST
Project Date: Spring 2021
Project Type: Group
Project Completed on Semester No: 4
CI Theme of the Term: Non-Violent Communication
Project Description:
This group project required us to create a poster reflecting the CI theme for the semester, which was Non-Violent Communication. Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the course was entirely online via Google Meet and Google Classroom. The poster was hand-painted by Zakia Sultana Sanam, who conceptualised the idea of depicting the struggles of an artist. The poster illustrates how violent communication can shatter someone’s dreams, showing a girl who abandons her art due to mental torture and ultimately descends into darkness.
Project Justification:
The poster portrays the struggles of an artist, emphasizing the impact of mental and physical torture. It shows a girl who used to draw but, due to constant verbal and mental abuse, burns her artworks and stops painting, symbolizing her withdrawal into darkness and depression. This handmade poster by Zakia Sultana Sanam effectively communicates how violent communication can force individuals to abandon their passions and fall into despair.

 

DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA STUDIES AND JOURNALISM

Course Title: Principles of Public Relations
Course Code: MSJ11213
Term: Spring 2021
Section: 01

Poster on Curriculum Integration Theme (Spring 2021) Project
Topic Title: I WAS AN ARTIST

Submitted To
Wafi Aziz Sattar
Lecturer
Department of Media Studies and Journalism
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)

Submitted By
Zakia Sultana Sanam (201012045)
Md Ashraful Islam (193012012)

Date of Submission: 26 May, 2021

1. Ensuring the idea reflects the CI theme correctly is a tough thing to do. How does your poster reflect the theme? What was your ideation process and how did you plan out the communication (illustration and words) you presented in the poster? (100 words – 200 words, 4 marks)

Ans: Our poster embodies the theme of nonviolent communication by vividly portraying the adverse effects when such communication is absent, especially towards female artists facing verbal and emotional abuse. During our ideation process, we aimed to capture a poignant scene where a female artist abandons her passion due to the destructive impact of societal violence. This was symbolized by depicting burned artworks and a path that leads into darkness. The phrase “I WAS AN ARTIST” starkly emphasizes the loss and devastation caused by violent communication. The inclusion of a bloody hand serves as a powerful call to end such abuse. Our planning involved extensive brainstorming sessions to ensure the illustration and words effectively communicated the theme and evoked an emotional response from viewers. We chose a hand-painted approach to add a personal and impactful touch to the message.

2. Who are your primary audience and who are your secondary audience? Did you consider any specific psychographic categories and demographic categories when designing the communication? If so, which ones and what message(s) in the poster were made to reach them? (300 words – 400 words, 5 marks)
Ans: Our primary audience consists of individuals passionate about social justice, gender equality, and art advocacy. These are people who are likely to empathize with the struggles faced by female artists and advocate for nonviolent communication. Our secondary audience includes those who may be unaware of the specific challenges encountered by female artists and the perpetrators of verbal violence. When designing our communication, we considered psychographic categories such as empathy, activism, and awareness. We aimed to resonate with those who value human dignity and the freedom of creative expression. Demographically, we targeted a diverse audience to foster inclusivity and broader understanding. For example, the message in the poster was crafted to reach both those who are already advocates for nonviolent communication and those who might need to be educated about its importance. By doing so, we aimed to create a more inclusive dialogue and raise awareness across different segments of society.
3. In your own words, what were the difficulties you faced in designing your communication given the topic you chose and your audience? What do you think you could have done better? (200 words – 300 words, 5 marks)
Ans: One of the main challenges we faced was effectively conveying the emotional impact of verbal violence on female artists without resorting to graphic or disturbing imagery. We wanted to ensure the poster raised awareness without triggering trauma in viewers. Striking this balance was difficult, as we needed to depict the severity of the issue while maintaining sensitivity. Another challenge was ensuring that the message was inclusive and resonated with a diverse audience. In hindsight, incorporating more diverse perspectives and exploring alternative visual metaphors could have enhanced the poster’s inclusivity and resonance. For example, instead of solely focusing on the burning of artworks, we could have included other symbols of lost creativity and dreams, making the message more relatable to a broader audience.

4. Did you use the R.A.C.E. model or S.M.A.R.T. model? If so, how? If not, why? (50 words – 100 words, 2 marks)
Ans: We primarily utilized the R.A.C.E. (Research, Action, Communication, and Evaluation) model to guide our approach.

• Research: We began by thoroughly understanding the nuances of nonviolent communication and the specific experiences of female artists who face verbal and emotional abuse.
• Action: This phase involved brainstorming sessions where we generated ideas, followed by the artistic creation of the poster. Collaboration among group members was key during this phase to ensure the poster effectively communicated our message.
• Communication: This step involved designing the poster and carefully crafting its message to align with our CI theme. We focused on making the illustration and words impactful and resonant.
• Evaluation: We solicited feedback from peers and instructors to assess the effectiveness of our communication strategy. This reflective process helped us understand the strengths and areas for improvement in our approach.

  

Learnings and Outcomes (Self-reflection):

• Developed skills in transforming abstract ideas into visual communication.
• Enhanced teamwork and collaboration through online coordination.
• Improved hand-painting techniques and creative expression.
• Gained understanding of how to convey deep emotional messages through art.
• Learned the importance of highlighting social issues such as non-violent communication and its effects.