Get Out the Vote Campaign

I introduced a short project to the Advertising Design I class in late October, 2018. They had been working on a single grueling ad campaign for 8 weeks when I pitched them a new idea. I wanted the students to create a go vote campaign. To do this, they had to make a small three component campaign. Each student endeavored to encourage people to get out and vote in the coming mid-term elections. The turn around time was very fast, only ten days.

The Work

The students created and printed get out the vote campaign posters to hang around our building. Additionally they created a short animated video for release on social media as well as a billboard design. We were able to push the billboard designs live thanks to Ram Outdoor Advertising. This local media company allowed us to get into rotation on one of their newest digital billboards on the busiest avenue in Fort Smith. Thanks goes out to our esteemed alum, Bobby Rogne at Rightmind Advertising for connecting us to Mr. Ron Green at Ram Outdoor Advertising.

Design for Good

Since joining up with AIGA NWA and leading our student design club as advisor, I’ve looked for every opportunity to reveal to the students how they can use their skill as designers to influence the world around them. They are in training to create communication with clarity. So a project like a get out the vote campaign shows how designers could have a positive impact on a community and country. It is a perfect arena to design for good. Doing so helps the students understand that it isn’t just about making a living, it’s making a life.

Look Mom, I Did That

The students are very excited to see their work live. I still enjoy seeing my work in the wild to this day. So, I know how they feel when they see something they put together on a 27 inch computer screen splashed 20 feet wide on a major thoroughfare. Through this project they will know the pride, not only in their work on display for thousands to see between now and November 6, but in the fact that they are engaging their community. That’s what designers should do. Now get out the vote!

Check out the results below. If you live in or around Fort Smith, Arkansas, you can see the work live on the corner of Rogers Ave. and 79th street until November 6th. Like our page UAFS Department of Art page on Facebook to see other amazing student work. Or you can see more here.