SOCIETAL PRESSURES

POSTER DESIGN | JAVA SCRIPT DESIGN | SOUND REACTIVE CODE

OVERVIEW

In the context of my graphic design studies at Iowa State University, I embarked on an intriguing project where I combined design and technology to create informative posters. Utilizing sound reactive code, these posters were crafted to effectively communicate the emotional impact of societal pressures on mental health. This unique approach allowed me to blend auditory and visual elements, providing a dynamic and engaging way to raise awareness about this critical issue.

Societal Pressures: An In-Depth Exploration" delves deeply into the complex interplay between societal norms and gender roles, unraveling their profound influence on mental health. This collection critically examines how these external forces shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, casting light on their often unseen yet significant impact. Comprising six thought-provoking posters, each piece meticulously focuses on a distinct societal expectation, offering a lens through which we can reflect on and challenge the status quo. This series not only raises awareness but also sparks a vital dialogue about the subtle yet pervasive pressures we navigate daily.

MISSION STATEMENT

In 'Societal Pressures,' I seek to illuminate the profound impact of societal expectations in fostering mental illnesses, underscoring society's crucial role in shaping mental health. Through this work, I am committed to raising awareness about the often unspoken pressures that contribute to mental health challenges. My endeavor goes beyond enlightenment; it's a call to action, aiming to ignite a movement towards the alleviation of these pressures. The ultimate goal of my artistic journey is to pave the way for a future with fewer mental health afflictions, fostering a healthier, more accepting world.

GOAL

In this project, 'Societal Pressures,' my ambition was to unravel the intricate layers of societal influence and its profound effects on individual psyche. The project is a tapestry of diverse elements, each meticulously chosen to underscore the gravity of this subject. At the forefront, I employed Photoshop to craft a captivating image, designed to seize immediate viewer attention. Complementing the visual allure, I integrated an innovative, sound-reactive feature using JavaScript – this dynamic element pulsates in a striking shade of red, symbolizing the urgency and intensity of the theme. Further depth is added through carefully curated statistics, offering viewers a tangible grasp of the concept’s magnitude. My aim with these posters goes beyond mere presentation; it’s a clarion call for greater discourse on the often overlooked yet crucial interplay between societal pressures and mental health.

DESIGN CONCEPT

In my latest series of poster designs, I delve into a critical societal issue that has gained immense prominence in contemporary culture: the impact of social media. This project is a reflection on how social media, despite its benefits, often perpetuates harmful ideals, creating an illusion of 'perfection' that many strive to emulate. The allure of seemingly perfect lives, faces, and bodies broadcasted across various platforms has led to unrealistic societal standards, pushing narratives like 'be prettier,' 'be more masculine,' or 'get plastic surgery.'

My objective with this series is to highlight the detrimental effects of this relentless pursuit of perfection on our mental health. Through my designs, I aim to challenge the notion of an ideal self, propagated by societal norms, and advocate for the celebration of individual uniqueness. This project is a call to recognize and embrace our distinct qualities, understanding that beauty lies in diversity. It's a statement against the homogenization of individuals, underscoring the belief that a world where everyone is the same would be devoid of the richness that diversity brings. Each poster is not just a design; it's a narrative, a plea for a shift in perspective — to value the individuality that makes each of us extraordinary.

FINAL PINUP

FINAL PINUP

PEERS EXAMINING POSTER DESIGNS

SOUND EXPLNATION

PROCESS

Below are stills that I created using code in JavaScript that are sound reactive.

SOURCES

Poster 1:

Statistics on girls & women’s self esteem, pressures & leadership heart of leadership: Lead. your world. Heart of Leadership: Lead. Your World. -. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://heartofleadership.org/statistics/

Eating disorder statistics - NDSU - north dakota state university. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/counseling/Eating_Disorder_Statistics.pdf

Poster 2:

Pressure to be happy puts psychological well-being at risk. Tilburg University. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/current/news/more-news/pressure-be-happy-puts-psychological-well-being-risk#:~:text=The%20societal%20pressure%20to%20pursue%20happiness%20ironically%20seems,to%20have%20adverse%20effects%20on%20people%27s%20psychological%20well-being.

Singh, M. (2016, December 2). Study: Vast majority of people who are depressed do not seek help. NPR. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/12/02/504131307/study-vast-majority-of-people-who-are-depressed-do
-not-seek-help

The Pursuit of Happiness Can Be Lonely - Researchgate.net. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51631109_The_Pursuit_of_Happiness_Can_Be_Lonely.

Poster 3:

Pandey, S. (2020, October 9). Too much pressure on women to have a “perfect body”. Sociology Group: Sociology and Other Social Sciences Blog. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.sociologygroup.com/too-much-pressure-on-women-to-have-a-perfect-body/

Clark, K., Shacknai, G., & Drew J. Davis, M. D. (n.d.). Rhinoplasty. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/rhinoplasty/

Connick, T. (2019, December 12). One in three young girls feel the need to look ‘perfect’ online. Metro. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://metro.co.uk/2017/08/23/one-in-three-young-girls-feel-the-need-to-look-perfect-online-reports-girlguiding-6872300/

Poster 4:

Jerry Kennard, P. D. (2020, December 10). Why more men are taking their own lives. Verywell Mind. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/men-and-suicide-2328492#:~:text=Research%20suggests%20that%20depression%20is%20diagnosed%20less%20frequently,use%20lethal%20suicide%20methods%20than%20women.%203%20%EF%BB%BF

Gonchar, M. (2012, November 20). How much pressure do boys face to have the perfect body? The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://archive.nytimes.com/learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/how-much-pressure-do-boys-face-to-have-the-perfect-body/

Poster 5:

W.A.I.T.S. plan program. Home. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://iamgracious.org/w_a_i_t_s_-plan-program

Why self-esteem?: Attitude is everything foundation. Why Self-Esteem? - Attitude Is Everything Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.attitudeiseverythingfoundation.org/why-self-esteem

11 facts about teens and Self Esteem. DoSomething.org. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-teens-and-self-esteem

Poster 6:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 28). Suicide data and statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/suicide-data-statistics.html

11 facts about teens and Self Esteem. DoSomething.org. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-teens-and-self-esteem

SOCIETAL PRESSURES

OVERVIEW

MISSION STATEMENT

GOAL

DESIGN CONCEPT

FINAL PINUP

SOUND EXPLNATION

PROCESS

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