propaganda - rhetoric of particular group in society to benefit them (not always the truth to happen but lies, so-called spin), sending particular message and enforcing power
George Orwell '1984' (science fiction book as prediction of the year 1984, possible
reality)
''Winston Smith is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in London, in the nation of Oceania. Everywhere Winston goes, even his own home, the Party watches him through telescreens; everywhere he looks he sees the face of the Party’s seemingly omniscient leader, a figure known only as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, even the people’s history and language. Currently, the Party is forcing the implementation of an invented language called Newspeak, which attempts to prevent political rebellion by eliminating all words related to it. Even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such thought crime is, in fact, the worst of all crimes.''
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/summary.html
reality)
''Winston Smith is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in London, in the nation of Oceania. Everywhere Winston goes, even his own home, the Party watches him through telescreens; everywhere he looks he sees the face of the Party’s seemingly omniscient leader, a figure known only as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, even the people’s history and language. Currently, the Party is forcing the implementation of an invented language called Newspeak, which attempts to prevent political rebellion by eliminating all words related to it. Even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such thought crime is, in fact, the worst of all crimes.''
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/summary.html
Political poster. 'Big Brother' term describes fictional character of Orwell's novel but also refers to any government/ruler invading privacy of its citizens (dictatorship, totalitarianism).
Enforcing power in a visual context
Keep Calm and Carry On was a motivational poster produced by the British government in 1939 in preparation for the Second World War. The poster was intended to raise the morale of the British public, threatened with widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities. Although 2.45 million copies were printed, and although the Blitz did in fact take place, the poster was hardly ever publicly displayed and was little known until a copy was rediscovered in 2000 at Barter Books Alnwick (England). It has since been re-issued by a number of private companies, and has been used as the decorative theme for a range of products. It was thought that only two original copies survived until a collection of 20 was brought in to the Antiques Roadshow in 2012 by the daughter of an ex-Royal Observer Corps member.
Reading Highway Code or just simply looking around as we can notice the colour scheme in the road signs(which can be much different in distant worldwide locations). European designs above offer direct, simple instructions in known and understood formats, using basic shapes and primary colours. In this case red signifies danger or blood, it forces to possibly stop or think before moving forward.
Besides the basic, rather similar for European countries use of signs for roads there is also a specific signage system/design for particular countries.
I've looked a bit into the article for Eye magazine online about British road signage which consists of two different systems for two types of signs: regulatory (warnings, mandatory and prohibitive) and 'informatory' signs. It's very complex system full of consideration for typeface and symbol application. Combination of functionality (direct and distant visibility) and aesthetics (to create a letterform with open counters and clear shapes) in new font by Jock Kinneir and his assistant Margaret Calvert, places this design ahead of their time. It is known as 'Transport''. Graphic design for British road system signage uses sans serif letters with careful consideration of colour palette and great attention to detail.
http://www.eyemagazine.com/feature/article/a-design-to-sign-roads-by
Power could be also enforced by an appeal to concerns, instinct or curiosity in graphics (information offered to ordinary people), for instance: ''It's probably nothing, but... your call could save lives. Anti-terrorist Hotline', where the content is as important as colours and typeface.
Contemporary landscape of power enforcement includes: CCTV cameras, road signs, direction signs, vehicles like police or fire engines (highly considered colour schemes). Red also signifies power (enforcing martial power) and through history it was and still is particularly relating to royalty or military (contemporary is possible more green - for soldiers).
Visual propaganda has started long ago with portrayals of leaders in noble, pious and courageous endeavours. It's also Russian Constructivist art done usually as clear, simplified, geometric photomontage.
Woman on this poster clearly represents working class people. There are words coming out of her mouth (shouting) that in Russian mean 'Books'. It aims to encourage people to education so they can raise awareness of what's going on in their own country and generally in the world. That means propaganda can have a good cause. It can also be a ministry of information. An image even without any words at all can become great manifestation and easily spread the message.
One of the most amazing wartime graphic designers using propaganda was Abram Games. I attended a lecture by his daughter Naomi Games last year. I also used his work as example for my essay so I got to know his biography and artwork very well. I think he was a real master in his profession. 'Maximum meaning, minimum means' was truly the personal statement in his practice.
Enforcing power in a visual context
Keep Calm and Carry On was a motivational poster produced by the British government in 1939 in preparation for the Second World War. The poster was intended to raise the morale of the British public, threatened with widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities. Although 2.45 million copies were printed, and although the Blitz did in fact take place, the poster was hardly ever publicly displayed and was little known until a copy was rediscovered in 2000 at Barter Books Alnwick (England). It has since been re-issued by a number of private companies, and has been used as the decorative theme for a range of products. It was thought that only two original copies survived until a collection of 20 was brought in to the Antiques Roadshow in 2012 by the daughter of an ex-Royal Observer Corps member.
The Keep Calm and Carry On poster was designed by
the Ministry of Information
during the period 27 June – 6 July 1939.
It was produced as part of a series of three "Home Publicity" posters
(the others read "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution
Will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom Is in Peril. Defend It
With All Your Might"). Each poster showed the slogan under a
representation of a "Tudor Crown" (a symbol of the state).
They were intended to be distributed to strengthen morale in the event of a
wartime disaster, such as mass bombing of major cities using high explosives
and poison gas, which was widely expected within hours of an outbreak of war.
The remainder of the Ministry of Information publicity
campaign was cancelled in October 1939 following criticism of its cost and
impact. Many people claimed not to have seen the posters; while those who did
see them regarded them as patronizing and divisive. Design historian Susannah
Walker regards the campaign as "a resounding failure" and reflective
of a misjudgement by upper-class civil servants of the mood of the people.
The typeface is often assumed to be Gill Sans,
which is very close but not exact (see the terminals of the 'C', for example).
The lettering was perhaps hand drawn by a now-unknown designer.
In late May and early June 1941, 14,000,000 copies of a leaflet entitled
"Beating the Invader" were distributed with a message from Prime
Minister Winston Churchill. It begins "If invasion
comes..." and exhorts the populace to "Stand Firm" and
"Carry On". The two phrases do not appear in one sentence, as they
applied to different segments of the population depending on their
circumstances, with those civilians finding themselves in areas of fighting
ordered to stand firm (i.e., stay put) and those not in areas of fighting
ordered to carry on (i.e., continue vital war work). Each mandate is identified
as a "great order and duty" should invasion come. The leaflet then
lists 14 questions and answers on practical measures to be taken.
Wikipedia 
Besides the basic, rather similar for European countries use of signs for roads there is also a specific signage system/design for particular countries.
I've looked a bit into the article for Eye magazine online about British road signage which consists of two different systems for two types of signs: regulatory (warnings, mandatory and prohibitive) and 'informatory' signs. It's very complex system full of consideration for typeface and symbol application. Combination of functionality (direct and distant visibility) and aesthetics (to create a letterform with open counters and clear shapes) in new font by Jock Kinneir and his assistant Margaret Calvert, places this design ahead of their time. It is known as 'Transport''. Graphic design for British road system signage uses sans serif letters with careful consideration of colour palette and great attention to detail.
http://www.eyemagazine.com/feature/article/a-design-to-sign-roads-by
Power could be also enforced by an appeal to concerns, instinct or curiosity in graphics (information offered to ordinary people), for instance: ''It's probably nothing, but... your call could save lives. Anti-terrorist Hotline', where the content is as important as colours and typeface.
Contemporary landscape of power enforcement includes: CCTV cameras, road signs, direction signs, vehicles like police or fire engines (highly considered colour schemes). Red also signifies power (enforcing martial power) and through history it was and still is particularly relating to royalty or military (contemporary is possible more green - for soldiers).
Visual propaganda has started long ago with portrayals of leaders in noble, pious and courageous endeavours. It's also Russian Constructivist art done usually as clear, simplified, geometric photomontage.
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| Alexander Rodchenko Dobrolet Airline Poster (1923) lithograph |
Woman on this poster clearly represents working class people. There are words coming out of her mouth (shouting) that in Russian mean 'Books'. It aims to encourage people to education so they can raise awareness of what's going on in their own country and generally in the world. That means propaganda can have a good cause. It can also be a ministry of information. An image even without any words at all can become great manifestation and easily spread the message.
One of the most amazing wartime graphic designers using propaganda was Abram Games. I attended a lecture by his daughter Naomi Games last year. I also used his work as example for my essay so I got to know his biography and artwork very well. I think he was a real master in his profession. 'Maximum meaning, minimum means' was truly the personal statement in his practice.
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