Ramon's Blog

"So Where The Bloody Hell Are We?" Sketch

"Which Bank?...Seriously" Sketch

This sketch displays various popular bank logos that would initiate confusion on a new migrants wanting a bank. Each migrant that enters Australia NEEDS a bank to choose and this image emphasizes the choice involved in reality.

The banks include:
> Commonwealth Bank                    > Westpac
> HSBC                                       > NAB
> ANZ                                        > St. George

This is a REAL situation that migrants experience upon entrance into Australia.

"Do You Know What Lies Ahead?" Sketch

This sketch shows a moving walkway (travelator) at an airport that has a distant exit, emphasized by a partially visible exit sign at the end. At the entrance of the travelator, a massive enter sign is displayed on the floor, followed by "mind your step" at the beginning of the walkway. On either side of the walkway are various advertisements and Australian tourism campaigns, which would distract the migrant from the end of the passage.

Through interpreting this image, the viewer will gain a first-person perspective understanding of the migrant experience upon entrance into an Australian airport and the confusion involved in the process.  

"AUSTRALIALAND" map sketch

I have created a sketch showing Australia depicted as a theme park on a map, which is being held up by a migrant at an airport. The main attractions on this map include:
- Home & Property
- Jobs
- Shops
- Bank
- Childcare
- Information

The legend on the left-hand side of the map informs the viewer to "find the rest yourself". This image relates to the unknown journey that migrants experience when first arriving in Australia.     

"Australia" graffiti sketch

i have created a sketch that depicts the word "Australia" in an abstract graffiti font on a wall located in/near an airport. There are silhouettes of a few migrants in the foreground of the image, questioning "Should it take this long to understand?".

This sketch illustrates the confusion which migrants experience during assimilation into Australian society.

Sketches

I have created a series of sketches (in a sketchbook) that depict some ideas that could be incorporated into my final propaganda images.

These sketches give a glipse of the style and concept to be used in my images.

The sketches include various concept ideas and a graffiti alphabet.
I have also written "australia" in different languages to show how migrants view australia upon entrance. 

Visual Concepts

Four visual concepts that could be included in my images:

- A foreigner is at the immigration office and is told that their temporary visa has expired. Then, in confusion the migrant holds up their ‘visa’ credit card and says that it expires in a few years time.
(Illustrating the number of migrants overstaying their temporary visa)

- A migrant asks his friend why they have decided to move overseas. They reply by stating it will be a generally better lifestyle. However, their real thoughts involve migrating for a better job and better life which they are too ashamed to mention.
(Depicts the attitude that migrants generally have)

 - A line of migrants are in an airport just entering Australia. As each of them pass through a security gate, they endure a makeover from wearing their traditional clothing to wearing shorts, a singlet, and thongs while speaking “Aussie slang”.
(Emphasizes the integration of migrants into Australian society)

- A shadow/silhouette of migrants are standing infront of a graffiti-filled wall with the word "Australia" in an illegible style. They stand there in confusion with the words, "...does it take this long to understand?" in the foreground.
(Showing the slow assimilation of migrants into Australia)

Concept Images

These are a series of images that i gathered to depict the concept/s i am hoping to use in the final propaganda images:

Design Style - 'Graffiti'

Artistic/Design Statement

Refined Topic Understanding

My refined topic understanding involves using the created images to depict the process of migration from the viewpoint of the migrant - this incorporates both entering and leaving Australia. This perspective is normally not considered, as it is usually viewed from the entire nation which is emphasized in the media.

Some issues that can be considered from the migrant's viewpoint include:
> Understanding the significance of a 'visa'.
> Identifying the physical appearance of a migrant (migrants can also be blue-eyed blondes)
> The real reasons for migration (better life, better job - not particularly for a better lifestyle)
> A migrant's assurance of a better, more positive life in Australia.
> Migrants adapting to Australia's culture, their 'way of life'.  

Solid Topic Understanding

Australia's Overpopulation

Immigration Comparison

The idea of immigration isn't taken very seriously in the media. They only focus on issues that are affecting major countries, while the smaller countries are struggling to survive. Immigration can be seen from various perspectives such as: formal immigration, after signing endless amounts of paperwork before entering a new country and illegal immigration, which involves desperate migrants searching for a new homeland to survive in the world - however it won't always have a happy ending.

From a universal perspective immigration is very underestimated which is shown through the television show: The Amazing Race which depicts people travelling around the world to complete a game. The show reveals how easily people can cross countries throughout their journey involved in the game. This aspect of immigration/crossing borders is greatly contrasted to reality.

This is all questionable?????

Citizenship/Immigration Images

These are various images that i have found on the net that has some association with citizenship/immigration:

- The powerful 'all American' Ford Bronco is contrasted with
the idea of American patriotism and citizenship.

- An American 'Citizenship Quiz' that questions
society on whether they can pass their 'own'
country's test, comparing their knowledge
to the knowledge of migrants.

- A simple cartoon that effectively relays the impact of the Australian citizenship test on
migrants.

- Another simple cartoon exaggerating the racist aspect of the citizenship test.

- A clear photograph of airport signs showing distinct directions in realtion to entering and leaving a country.

- A humerous cartoon exaggerating the simpleness of the British citizenship test.

- A photograph of an open draw bridge, symbolizing the importance of timing in terms of migration.
(if migrants arrive at a country at the right time the bridge will be closed - welcoming them, however it may by open, obstructing their journey)

- This photograph basically depicts a journey into the unknown - just as many migrants experience.

- A great image that suggests boating migrants entering a new country.

- Another fantastic image that suggests the difficulties in escaping a nation in order to migrate.

- An airport queue of 'Other passports', showing the grand number of migrants that enter various countries around the world.

- A humerous image of a street sign depicting a family escaping from their home
in order to survive.

- An interesting picture emphasizing a migrant's journey into the unknown once entered a new country, starting a new life.

- A perfect picture of a 'Return/Enter' key.
- This is one key that has two contrasting meanings:
1. To return (go back)              2. To enter (to go forward - proceed)
- This key symbolizes the decisions that migrants need to make along with 'Escaping (Esc key)' while
encompassing on their journey into a new country.

- All of these images were retreived from a wide variety of websites. 

Various Citizenships

Through my research on the internet i visited a series of websites that deals with applying for citizenship in Australia, Britain and the United States of America.

In my research i have found signifanct constrasts in applying for citizenship in these three nations:

Australia - mainly focuses on detailed knowledge of the Australian country
                http://www.citizenship.gov.au/test/preparing/index.htm 

Britain    - involves taking a pledge and oath of allegiance to the queen, showing loyalty to the
                commonwealth.
              - However, even school children are required to review their citizenship in
                taking the oath and pledge, not knowing the signifance of the procedure.
                http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/alice_miles/article3533064.ece

America   - consists of a series of questions relating to the history of the United States of 
                America, a redesinged test includes much harder questions compared to the previus test, 
                making it significantly harder for the applicants.
              - a website for applying for citizenship contains a 'do-it-yourself' approach to application, 
                 where an 'ebay-styled' product guide gives the applicants the feeling that they are
                 simply purchasing their citizenship over the internet. 
                 http://www.us-immigration.com/information/citizenship_tutorial/index.html
                 http://www.us-immigration.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22

- After conducting this research i am slowly advancing through my project and by analysing the theme of citizenship in greater detail i am gaining a better understanding of the ideas that are available to me for use in the propaganda assignment.

Assignment Research

After reading 'Propaganda and Persuasion' and 'Stories of Australian Migration' i have a greater understanding about the meaning, purpose and significance of propaganda. Aswell as the process of entrance into Australian society from the perspective of an immigrant themself.

I have currently been researching migration into the Australian nation, however through discussion with Andy i am considering researching other nations aswell including England and America. These countries have varying citizenship procedures that affects each migrant as an individual, therefore it would be suitable to research nations other than Australia for my project.  

Propaganda theme found!

After speaking to Andy yesterday, he has reassured me to choose the theme of 'Citizenship' while focusing on the aspect of migrants physically entering Australia. This is a theme that can be portrayed by a visual design on many levels and from various perspectives.

Follwing my discussion with Andy i visited the university's Fisher library in search of historical documents regarding Australian migration. I ended up borrowing the following books relating to propaganda and migration:
- Jowett G S & O'Donnell V (2006) Propaganda and Persuasion, 4th Ed. SAGE Publications Inc, Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi
- Hardy J (1988) Stories of Australian Migration, New South Wales University Press in association with the Australian Academy of the Humanities

Propaganda Themes

Researching various ideas that can be used in each of the four themes (citizenship, the state, economy, the body) in seacrh of a final theme for use in the assignment.

Still not found....questioning between citizenship and economy????

Citizenship (Australia):
- Becoming a member of the Australian political community and having political participation.
- Actually becoming "Australian".
- The problems/issues as a migrant becoming an Australian citizen and entering Australia,
- Are "Australian" really "Australians" ?
- The cizitenship test.
- How migrants are represented by the Australian public.
- One's "identity" - a new "identity".

Economy (Australia):
- The poverty that is evident in the world (e.g. homeless people)
- The significant contrast between rich and poor in some countires,
- Increasing fuel prices.
- Spending income wisely.
- The Australian Tax Office (ATO) taking endless amounts of money. 

Propaganda research

I researched the general description of propaganda including the basic techniques that is commonly associated with propaganda. While researching on the internet i found that most propaganda was focused on the various wars throughout history. This had diverted my attention from the main task a tad, however i can use the techniques i found in my design.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda