Posters for Earth Week: Theme: The Rainforest

"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."

— John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day

My original idea was to have a photo collage of the endangered plants and animals. But keeping in mind that this was supposed to be more of an information poster, I added a few lines of description below each photo, as well as introduction paragraphs for the endangered plants and animals. Photos were kept big and plenty so as to capture more attention.

                                             

 Had the most fun doing up this poster. Made with spray paint and masking tape, simple yet cool finish. It captured a lot of attention during the exhibition outside the school canteen and drew many to come forward to take a look at the other posters. Got my hands bloody red after finishing the poster, but it was fun and worth it. Besides, I managed to scare my mother into thinking that I had an accident earlier in school. An added bonus :D

After making the poster in the earlier photo, I thought that there ought to be some information about poaching to add to the severity of the whole situation. This is when this poster came in. Not as attractive, and there's too much white (negative space) making the poster rather dull and empty. But then again, this is the crucial information that had to convince people that poaching is a serious problem. Well, the earlier poster can do the 'attention-drawing', and this one will do the 'talking'.

 This is the wallpaper that I designed for the school computers. It shows the before and after photos of deforestation and poaching, two of the most severe problems faced by the rainforest. A stark and even shocking contrast between the two. The vast green forest reduced to a dead pile of chopped up tree trunks; the cute bear playing with itself on the field, reduced to the paws, skin and raw flesh. Many are aware of such threats faced by the forest and the animals living in it, but few do their part to prevent such cases from happening. It's sad and frustrating to know that it's impossible to stop this from happening myself, without changing the stubborn mindset of the masses who think that it is none of their business.

You would probably have guessed my intention for this year's Earth Week activities and exhibitions; to scare and make those who are guilty of wasting paper and buying real leather feel guilty. Indeed, when this was first displayed on screen for my class, several looked away and there was much commotion about the gruesome nature of the photos. But this is reality and it will remain a reality if everyone continues to be irresponsible and indifferent to such cruelty of mankind.