Space Debris
Decolonize Waste Propaganda
BACKGROUND
I have a deep interest in the field of astronomy and have recently acquired a telescope to observe celestial bodies. During one such observation, a thought occurred to me: "What happens to the satellites we launch into space? Are they ever retrieved?" This question inspired me to embark on a research project that seeks to investigate the impact of human ambition and technology on space and our atmosphere.
GOAL
I aim to raise awareness about the environmental impact of space exploration and to encourage scientists to consider potential negative consequences and backup strategies prior to conducting space experiments.
TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effect
RESEARCH
GATHERING INSPIRATION
To gather ideas and inspiration for my project, I conducted extensive research on the topic of satellites and the current conditions of Earth's atmosphere. One significant finding was that due to the Earth's strong gravity, many broken satellites continue to orbit the planet. However, the gravity pull on the moon is decreasing.
To convey my message and raise awareness about the consequences of space exploration, I decided to create a series of propaganda posters and videos. In order to create impactful and memorable visuals, I researched propaganda posters from various historical periods, including WWII and communist countries. I was particularly drawn to the vivid colors and striking images used in these posters, which effectively capture the viewer's attention and leave a lasting impression.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
In the initial stages of my research, I consulted various articles regarding the impact of space debris on Earth. It became evident that scientists may have overlooked the potential negative ramifications of satellites on human beings. Moreover, the issue of efficiently collecting and disposing of broken satellite parts has not been adequately addressed, resulting in the escalation of new satellites colliding with space debris. Building upon these findings, my goal is to create a series of propaganda posters that incorporate a color gradient to represent the worsening situation of space debris.
VIDEO DEVELOPMENT
Drawing from the principles of propaganda advertising, I endeavored to create a complementary video that would accentuate the message conveyed by the posters. My objective was to convey a sense of the magnitude and kinetic energy associated with the destruction of space debris. To achieve this, I aimed to produce my own musical composition and sound effects that would complement the visuals and create a more immersive and engaging experience for the viewers.
VISUAL CONCEPT
VISUAL FLOW
In designing the posters, I employed thick and bold lines on the drawings to emulate the style of a comic-like propaganda poster. Additionally, I strived to maintain a consistent text layout across the four posters to encourage the viewers to make connections between them. Furthermore, I divided the text into two lines in each poster to create a juxtaposition between the primary word and the overall sentence meaning. For instance, in the first poster, I aimed to draw the viewer's attention to the message "SHARE" at first sight. However, upon closer inspection, they would realize that the poster is actually conveying the idea that "sharing is not enough."
COLOR
In consideration of the concept of destruction and the influence of communist posters, I made a deliberate choice to use a variation of the color red as the dominant color in all the posters. The color red was chosen for its ability to communicate a sense of urgency and danger. In addition to the main color red, I also incorporated different supplementary colors into each poster to symbolize the specific situation being portrayed. For example, in the "Ain't That My Home?" poster, I utilized a deep brown to emphasize the uncertainty of space and create a visual contrast with the Earth's satellite atmosphere. Similarly, in "Focus on Space Crisis," I employed the color of environmental cleaner as the primary color to draw attention to the urgent need for action.
PROPAGANDA POSTER
On the left is the first poster in the series, which depicts the beginning of space colonization in 1961. The intention of this poster is to emphasize that humans are already depleting too many resources from Earth and are now reaching out into the unknown space.
PROPAGANDA VIDEO
This is the promotional video I created to introduce viewers to the chaos of space. To emphasize the human uncertainty of exploring space, I carefully edited and delayed some of the sounds and music. Additionally, I purposely limited the amount of text used in the video to draw the viewer's attention to the sound and graphics, allowing the sound to serve as the narrative of the story.
RETROSPECTIVE
DESIGNING IS FUN
Even though this is just a small personal project, my experience in researching and exploring the problems of space and satellites was one of my most fulfilling design processes. This project allowed me to not only push my creative boundaries with design but also was a great way to apply my design skills to topics that I am passionate about.