Type Illustration_Updated Creative Brief

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A type illustration portrait of writer/activist Arundhati Roy would primarily serve as promotional material for the annual World Social Forum held in January in India for which Roy is a featuredspeaker. The portrait will connect Roy to her work and writing on human rights and criticisms of globalization and neoliberalism by utilizing her own words (speeches, books, articles,etc) to create a powerful, recognizable portrait that illustrates the politics of “small” voices and plurality.

target audience
Considering Roy’s international presence, this portrait would largely target a cross-cultural audience (mid-20s to 50s) of both marginalized peoples opposed to corporate global control and postmodern scholars, activists, and leaders. It would serve as a call to participation in the next World Social Forum and action toward a new world order.

objectives
The World Social Forum is a global campaign for social change/awareness building that points toward an alternate world order. This portrait would push its audience to view globalization and the American presence with a new perspective through the writings and person of Roy. It’s not a charity campaign, it’s an attempt to shift minds (a good place to start when changing social habits).

obstacles
Globalization and the American presence in the 21st century are accepted as a given - no matter how environmantally unstainable and despite the very real human cost . Convincing an American audience (and global) that the New American Century is not in the best interest of the world, not even Americans, rubs against deep cultural barriers and defensive attitudes buit on a uni-vocal, hegemonic world order. Trying to reach a cross-cultural audience also risks alienating or offending both extremes while leaving the center unimpressed or moved. Speaking to multiple cultures at once poses unique design challenges in word choice, color, perspective, message, etc.

key benefits
Despite wide cultural resistance and a seemingly passive acceptance of globalization and neoliberal principals, awarness is the first step to changing minds and envisioning a new world - a world that Roy believes is not only possible but already on her way. Alllowing more minds to see this world as an alternative to the course it is currently on could only benefit all peoples and potentially save our planet from humanity’s self-destructive tendencies. An image of Roy is a recognisable connection to these goals and tangible place to start.

tone
The tone should fit Roy’s character - nonheroic, deliberate, no apologies and hopeful.

media
Both print and online, although I envision mostly print as part of a promotional ad campaign, which, ironically, Roy would probably hate.

creative consideration
Although there are no official colors for the World Social Forum, it looks like 2012 advertising/website is drenched in orange.

Editorial Illustration_Issuu[ed]

Open publication - Free publishing - More groupthink

Photorealism Project_Photo Ideas

I'm not much a photographer. But hopefully something in here could work. 

Chosen Portrait

Arundhati Roy: devilfinder.com

Project Statement: Type Portrait Illustration

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A type illustration portrait of writer/activist Arundhati Roy would primarily serve as promotional material in a political/feminist article by or about her or for advertising material in an awareness campaign - for example, promotional material for the upcoming International Women's Day 2012 on March 8. The portrait will connect Roy to her work and writing in women's rights by utilizing her own words (speeches, books, articles, statistics) to create a powerful, feminine portrait. 

target audience

Considering Roy's international prominence, this portrait would largely target and international, cross-cultural, female audience (mid-20s to 50s). Primarily, the portrait would attempt to call privileged populations attention to Roys' work and the marginalized peoples for which she so actively speaks. 

objectives

Campaign for social change/awareness building. This portrait would push its audience to view women's issues/feminism with a new perspective, through the writings and person of Roy. It's not a charity campaign, it's an attempt to shift minds (a good place to start when changing social habits). 

obstacles

Feminism and women's issues are not universal - per se. Although similarities in perspective and practice run through all cultures, each culture has thousands of years of history that informs how it perceives and understands gender roles. Trying to reach a cross-cultural audience risks alienated or offending both extremes while leaving the center unimpressed or moved. Speaking to multiple cultures at once poses unique design challenges in word choice, color, perspective, message, etc. 

key benefits

Despite wide cultural differences, similarities do exist, particularly in the need for all societies to view and treat women as equal contributors - a primary focus in Roy's writing and political activism. Those who see this portrait will connect her words and desire for a better, more equal word connected to the passion and life of a real, physical woman - not an idea, not a philosophy. 

tone

The tone should fit Roy's character - eccentric, deliberate, no apologies. 

media

Both print and online, although I envision mostly online through international reports, journals, news publications, and awareness campaign advertising. 

creative consideration

Although there are no official colors for International Women's Day, it looks like 2012 advertising/websites are using lively purples, natural greens, and spring-inspired colors. Roy's portrait should also utilize this colors, but with sophistication and sobriety. The colors and design should celebrate women and the progress made toward equality without downplaying the gravity of the work Roy represents. 

Type-based illustration ideas

...a bit late...but might as well post it anyway.

1. Portrait poster of local musician (cliche, but hey)

My first idea is to do a portrait of a local musician or band for a promotional poster (I do have a musician in mind, but I'd like to run the idea past him/take some photos before blurbing it here).  I like the idea of doing a local musician because 1) a musician would give me plenty of words to work with (lyrics), and 2) poster promotion is a neat, Seattle-musician niche that I would love to get into.

Here are a few examples/inspiration:

Steve Butabi
Yes...it's Erik Spiekermann. Ha. But you get the idea.

Matt Jamont
Portrait of Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots
...this is probably closer to what I had in mind...

2. Portrait of Arundhati Roy

Roy is an Indian auther, poet, journalist, political activist (well-known in a global context, probably not so much to an American audience). I adore her. I think she would also be a good figure for this project because Roy is most known for her political activism and out-spokeness in India. She is an advocate for marginalized groups world-wide...and basically has a lot say...finding relevant text to create the poster would be a cakewalk. 

Arundhati Roy

Inspiration....

Duraznita: DeviantARt
I love the idea of being super close-up and using color to describe Roy

sarthahirah: deviant art
An entirely different style, but I think still fitting considering the work for which Roy is best known.

3. Architecture: Clocks

Two possibilities here: 

        Either Musee D'Orsay (because I'm secretly French and am having an affair with Paris). Fingers crossed I can dig up my own photos of the clock that I took back in 2009...if not...something like this might have to work. But I don't want the people in it. 

Paul Warner
He actually has some other pics of the clock posted here that could work too.

OR...St. Mark's Cathedral...same idea, but local (could be used for promotional work for events such as Compline or Cathedrals through the Fremont Abbey...I could just do the Abbey for that matter). 

Seattle Daily Blog

Once again, I wouldn't actually use this image. I would either take a photo of my own, or request permission to use the image the Abbey currently uses for its monthly Cathedral concert promotion. 

Like this one, designed by Alexie Hoffman. 

Progress Sketches

I will post the rest of my illustrator progress once I figure out how to do so...