OUGD505 - Studio Brief 02 - Concepts and Crit

1- Missing Pieces

Illustrate the issue of missing persons and connecting with the public by using objects that are easily lost. I went around the room asking for things people lose:

Puzzle piece
Keys
Socks
Watch
Money
Glasses
Screw

Often small things that make a big difference.

2 - Pattern

Creating a pattern and removing a small part of it to illustrate the effect of missing someone. The rhythm of the pattern refers to the predictability of every day life but when an element is missing it can have devastating emotional effects.

Grid:

3 - Dot-to-dot

Requires the audiences participation to solve the puzzle and find/reveal an outcome. To demonstrate this concept, I used an empty chair inspired by Sting - The Empty Chair:

During the crit, I explained the aim of solution is to raise awareness of the support systems and advice that is available for people on the run, contemplating running away and the families and friends seeking closure to the whereabouts of their loved one. I questioned whether I should create a public awareness campaign in association with a charity such as Missing People because they provide support specifically for missing people cases. People agreed that this would be a good way to increase awareness of the donation funded charity and increase awareness of missing people. Avoid telling people what to do in order for them to make their own decisions. This means the tone of voice needs to be serious but also consider the vulnerable and fragile position of the target audience.

This will make people on the run feel comfortable to get in contact. I aim to avoid using the term missing persons too often because the perceived stigma as to what it means to be labelled a 'missing person' prevents adults from talking about their experience and returning home. I explained how broad the target audience was to which it was suggested that I found more of a focus such as a specific age range because different age groups are effective by different things therefore they all have different motives for running away/coming home.

The crit made me aware that my current concepts weren't solving the problem and the ambiguity of the messages wouldn't be appropriate for a public transport campaign therefor I aim to rethink my concept.