MFA Graphic Design Thesis

MFA Thesis study by Sunjung Park

EduGun

MFA Thesis study by Sunjung Park

EduGun

Introduction

EduGun Gun violence is one of the most serious social issues in the US. Some people say that guns are essential to our freedom and represent real American values, but others insist that guns have to be eliminated.

While they debate endlessly, the problem of gun violence and its victims remains unsolved. As a foreigner from a gun-free country, I found the whole thing to be quite shocking. I feel that my status as an outsider gives me a little objectivity, or at least I am not stuck in the same debate as Americans.

From my perspective, American citizens need a unified and effective nationwide gun education program which at the same time does not have any extreme political agenda (such as the programs which have tried before and failed.) This program covers the gun-related issues from their historical roots to safety as well as the related mental health issues. I believe this deeper and more concentrated approach might help to reduce gun violence and help the citizens of the US find some unity around this issue.

This book contains everything from the initial research until the final deliverables; it also shows how I decided on and developed the original topic and presents this development all the way through to the making of the final results.

EduGun Graphic Design MFA thesis Designed and written by Sunjung Park Academy of Art University Graduate School of Graphic Design 79 New Montgomery Street (5th Floor) San Francisco California. USA Find out more about EduGun at: www.sunjungdesign.com www.edugun.info www.edugundetector.info Social media: Facebook @guneducationthesis Instagram @edugun__

View more work by Sunjung Park at: www.sunjungp.com Facebook @Sun Park Instagram @sunjung______ Copyright Š 2017 by Sunjung Park all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electric, mechanical, including photography or any storage and retrieval system, without permission. Respect copyrights, encourage creativity!

MFA Graphic Design Thesis Project

Contents Chapter 01. Introduction to the issue Background The problems Proposed solutions

1 2 3

Chapter 02. Research process Asking questions Connection mapping Audience research Discussion event Field Trip Interview Survey

4 5 6 7 8 9 9

Chapter 03. Strategies and design solutions Insights 3 key insights Materials Matrix

10 11 12

Chapter 04.Design process Identity development Visual systems changes Website design Booklet design & story telling Posters design Mobile application contents & design Movie storyboard & design

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Chapter 05.Final result EduGun Visual Guidelines Deliverable 01. Website Deliverable 02. Booklet Deliverable 03. Posters Deliverable 04. Mobile application Deliverable 05. Animated movie

20 21 22 23 24 25

Chapter 06. Conclusion & Future Conclusion Future opportunities

26 27 28

8

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

9

Chapter 01. Introduction

Introduction to the issue 1. Background 2. The problems 3. Proposed solutions

1 2 3

This chapter presents the background of my research into gun violence, a review of the current situation in the US regarding gun safety education, a discussion of potential problems dealing with the topic, and my proposed solutions as a graphic designer.

10

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Background

Gun violence is one of the most serious issues in America with ninety people per day losing their lives.

Gun violence is one of the most serious social issues currently facing the United States. Some people say that we have to get rid of the guns.

Others insist that we keep the guns because they are an inherent right and essential to our freedom. Meanwhile, every day 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence.The Mass Shooting tracker shows that last year there were 355 mass shootings in 336 days. Not only that, but according to the FBI’, the majority of mass killings are family-related and the killers often target family members.

Obviously, parents and teens are deeply affected by this problem. But it’s not just mass shootings. There are 900 suicides every year by young people in the U.S. and around nine accidental deaths of children. Almost all there incidents involve guns that belonged to the parents.

11

12

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

“Can we go beyond the debate and focus more on gun safety itself?”

13

The problems

There is no official education program or information available to all citizens about the dangers of gun ownership and the usage of firearms.

The time has come for a solution that bypasses politics and ideology. It’s time for a nationwide gun safety education program. In America, we all learn the dangers of unsafe sex, drugs and alcohol, even riding a bike.

However, with the exception of a few scattered programs, gun safety is off the radar. Some schools and organizations have gun education programs, but they are disconnected and in some cases influenced by political ideology.

A unified gun education program which focusses on the problem rather than on polarizing debates could start reducing gun violence right now.

Maybe education instead of legislation is what the country needs.

“What visual methods and elements can tie the ideas together and transmit them to the public effectively?”

14

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

15

Proposed solutions

A unified and apolitical educational approach to the gun problem could reduce gun violence, increase gun safety as well as accomplish a more unified public attitude to the issue in the US. EduGun is a combination of gun safety, training and awareness, covers on mental illness, anger management, the roots of gun violence, video games and the media. The program also teaches proper safety, storage, self-defense, and violence-avoidance strategies. The users will gain the understanding that the right to bear arms comes with a heavy responsibility, and they will learn how to enact that responsibility. This program also teaches the value of human life, which sometimes seems too cheap these days.

First, this curriculum system encourages people to be less politicized.

The complete gun education curriculum includes tips on anger management, warning signs of mental illness, and options for psychological counseling in the user’s area.

Second, a promotional campaign will promote the overall concept of gun education and make people more aware of the need for a nationwide program. An increased call for gun education around the country would be one outcome of this effort.

The last design opportunity is a digital platform such as a downloadable mobile application. The interactive function make it easy for people to access EduGun and its services. The emphasis of the app is community-building and support, not political discussion. There will be more solidarity around the ideas of community and safety as a result of this app and less polarizing political debate.

Maybe we can’t completely resolve the chronic gun debates any time soon, but we can learn more about guns, the dangers and the proper ways of dealing with them. Putting aside the politics and educating ourselves will be the best way to protect ourselves, our children and create a better future.

16

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

17

18

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

19

Chapter 02. Research

Research process 1. Asking questions 2. Connection mapping 3. Audience research 4. Discussion event 5. Filed trip 6. Interview 7. Survey

1 2 3 4 5 6

After I created the overall structure of the project, I tried to go deeper by utilizing several methods of research. Connection mapping helped me to obtain essential keywords for the project and I could be more precise about the target audiences through this research. At the discussion event, I gained three important insights related to the project’s strategies. Field trips helped me to understand more about gun culture in the US, and it was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the subject from an insider’s viewpoint. Interviews and surveys were also enormously helpful in building the brand strategies and deliverables.

20

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

“Is it possible not to have political opinions when we talk about guns?”

21

Asking questions

To be clear about the study, I posed some questions.

Should gun education be run by the state or the federal government?

Or by a private organization?

Why does gun violence happen and what evidence is there that the problem is lack of education?

- Federal government: they have the money and resources.

- State government: just experiment in some states to see if it will work.

(It’s not guaranteed.)

- Private organization: it’s easier to get started than via the government, but they don’t have the money or resources. Regardless of who runs it, it will be difficult to keep the middle ground because some powerful organizations such as the NRA will try to affect and influence the program.

Guns are cheap and easily available so anyone can buy one without any training or prior certification. There are a lot of social, cultural, and psychological reasons for gun violence. An education program can’t solve all of them at the root. And I am not sure if a lack of education is the problem. But maybe education can address the issues in an effective way. And I assume that gun education will work if it is done properly and non-politically. Additionally, I think the reason that there’s no a unified education in this country is that guns and gun violence are accepted as normal because of the historical background and the culture. These are all big problems, but they need to be addressed.

Why do I assume that gun safety eduction will reduce the rate of gun violence or improve the gun issue situation in the US? Education usually works in other cases, and other solutions to the gun problem are not working. So I suggest trying a unified national gun education program rather than just observing the increasing rates of gun violence and debating it. Although other gun education programs have failed, it doesn’t mean the effort should be given up. It’s a difficult issue with a lot of factors, but I think the problem is that some groups have had an obvious bias in their programs, and so they provoked a lot of resistance from either the right or the left. They also did not treat the mental health issue deeply enough. Rome wasn’t built in a day. The fact that it hasn’t worked so far doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be tried again.

What will the NRA think about my gun education idea? How might they try to stop it?

Even though I say that my position is in the middle, the NRA might want to control or influence the gun education curriculum or the way it is implemented. If the government runs the program, the NRA lobby would probably spend money and effort to take control of it. If it doesn’t represent their agenda, they might start a campaign against it. So this is going to be a challenge.

What if gun violence continues at the same rate after this program goes into effect?

Change the materials and approach until we get positive results.

As a foreigner from a gun-free country (South Korea), did I make these questions without fully understanding guns and gun situation in the US? Yes. I don’t have complete understanding of the situation here because I’ve been in America for only 2 years, and I’ve only been researching for 2 months, and that’s not enough. But I’m going to keep researching and learning. Also I think as a person from another country, I can see some of the gun-related problems from the outside, and that gives me a kind of objective view. Or at least I don’t have the same strong emotional and political relationship to the issue as Americans. So I believe I can bring a fresh perspective.

22

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

23

Connection mapping

Find eighteen of the most insightful connections within gun safety education Explore new connections related to the gun safety education topic by examining the following elements or ‘impacts’: environmental, economic, political, cultural, personal and educational. Afterwards, pick eighteen of the most insightful connections and come up with a word or term to represent each one.

By using 6 camps, I tried to make insightful or new connections which are helpful to developing my thesis. For the wildcard camp, I added statistics because I thought they were the main way to define the gun and gun violence problems. However after that I just realized that this is for gun education not really specifically just about guns, so I changed it to an educational element. Through the course of this activity, I could more learn about the background of my topic and had a chance to think about further research.

24

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

25

26

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

27

28

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

29

Audience research

Research audience spectrum: who needs / cares about gun safety education?

Define some possible audiences for the topic, including two extremist groups and two groups who have no interest in gun issues at all; then create a spectrum of eight audience types. Each of these must be represented by a quotation and specific characteristics.

Since the topic is usually discussed within the spectrum of the two extreme opinions (pro-gun and anti-gun), the audience spectrum starts with the anti-gun group and ends with the pro-gun group. Including these two necessary groups, I included 5 more groups who have different perspectives on guns and mixed political opinions. Also an immigrant was included and this represents my personal position.

30

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

“ The Second Amendment is outdated. Hunting is ok, but we need to ban guns completely for all other uses and especially the dangerous, military-type weapons.”

Dedicated Educator

Religious Conservative

“I don't like the idea of teachers carrying guns, but we need more security.”

“ I‛m just starting to learn about the gun problems in the U.S. It is an important issue for new immigrants.”

“I am a Christian and politically conservative, but I'm concerned about my kids.”

31

“ I‛m going to buy a gun when I become an adult because it gives me power and street cred.”

Right Winger “I want our cities to be safe but don't want my taxes to pay for it.”

“I'm basically liberal but I enjoy hunting and target shooting.”

“The Founding Fathers gave us the freedoms that make America great.

If we don‛t have guns, how can we protect ourselves and stay free?”

2nd Amendment purist

liberal

32

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

33

Discussion event

Talk about gun safety education with people Invite people who are interested in the topic of gun safety education and have them share their opinions. This was the first time to put the idea out in the world and listen to others’ opinions. I invited a diverse group of people to the event and was able to hear a spectrum of insightful opinions.

The event preparation Running the discussion party was not easy. From the invitations to holding the party to synthesizing the results, it couldn’t have been possible without the participants’ cooperation. I invited more than twenty people vis Facebook invitation, e-mail, and text message. Finally I held the party with ten guests including a photographer and myself. I tried to invite as many Americans as I could because the topic is relevant to citizens, and I wanted some direct personal opinions which could not be gotten from books or the internet.

Invitations I made the invitation look like the paper targets used at gun ranges because I wanted to show the direct relationship between the gun topic and the discussion party.

Planning guide & materials The planning guide includes details of the discussion, i.e., the place and the time as well as the specific contents of the discussion. Handling the discussion party in English was a challenge for me, especially because there were native speakers there. I made a script for myself so I wouldn’t get lost.

Materials: Gun-related materials. The assignment for the participants was to bring something gun-related (news, photographs, etc), but I wasn’t sure everyone would be able to do that, so I also prepared some discussion materials ahead of time.

Questionnaire: This helped create for the bios for each participant. I would use it in the final report and also it could be a resource for further research.

34

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Event overview Finding a silver bullet Location: 737 Post st. San Francisco CA 94109 Date: April 2nd, 5pm Meeting agenda - Introduction - Share and discuss the materials you guys bring - Further discussion on guns and gun education - Fill out a simple questionnaire About the event The event was held April 2nd at 5pm in the lounge in my apartment building. The location in not in a high crime area exactly; it is close to the Tenderloin, where there have been many gun incidents, so the location would be an interesting and relevant place to hold the meeting. The participants were mostly Americans of various ages and with differing views on guns because my topic relates to American society in general, and I was curious about American viewpoints.

Overall the discussion started with gun issues in general, and then we moved on to gun education. Lastly, we finished with more general points and further discussion. There were many interesting points discussed, especially by the Americans, who had a wider spectrum of opinions than I expected. Also, in spite of living in the Bay Area, which I thought was liberal and anti-gun, most of them had moderate pro-gun positions. The foreigners seemed to be definitely anti-gun with not much variety in their opinions, but the Americans had more flexibility and nuance in their perspectives.

35

36

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

“A lot of the guys who do these mass shootings are also whacked out on pharmaceuticals, anti-depressants, who knows what. It definitely changes your brain chemistry, makes you do things you might not otherwise.”

—Tony

“You know if someone wants to break into your house, but they know you’re armed or you have a gun in there, they might think twice about it. Guns are the great equalizer.”

—Jim

“It’s not enough to just teach them about guns or safety or whatever. They have to learn how to use them, how to shoot, how to clean them the right. Cuz that’s how accidents happen.. when people don’t know what they’re doing.”

—Kathy

“Education leads to more rational decision making. Violent acts usually occur in the heat of emotion, and people need to have another voice to listen to. That’s where the education comes in, and some will choose to use better judgement.

We need to give people the opportunity to think more clearly before making decisions or taking actions they might regret.”

—Brett

“When I was in the military in Korea, we had to make a pledge after our training that we wouldn’t use the guns in a bad way.

I think everyone who is going to use a gun should make some kind of pledge like that.”

—Youngyun

37

38

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

39

40

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

3 silver bullets from the event 1. Education will make guns less taboo and therefore less attractive. a.

“You know when something is forbidden, people get more curious. They want to find out what it is, you know, the more you try to keep something from people, especially young kids, the more they’re gonna want to find out about it. Same with drugs, pornography, whatever. Criminals also might use gun education for their own purposes.” —Jim

d.

Comparison with drug education -2 “ One state-wide study (Donnermeyer 1998) reports evidence of a cumulative “booster effect,” i.e., students who participated in multiple drug use prevention activities reported less drug use than students who reported less exposure to school-based activities.”

b.

Making people face the facts; for example, if I show them some pictures of the victims of gun violence or the family members’ lives after these horrible killings, the guns won’t be seen as cool anymore.

Source: http://druglibrary.net/schaffer/Library/uic.htm

c.

Comparison with drug education -1 As with the effective drug abuse prevention efforts, we can expect similar effects like a reduction in the number of deaths from gun violence.

e.

Comparison with drug education -3 “The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, 1997) concluded that programs that prevent alcohol and drug use help participants develop resistance skills, including the ability to be assertive and effectively communicate around issues related to drug use.”

Source: http://209.198.129.131/images/AmPsy_WhatWorksInPrevention_6-7-2003.pdf

Drug abuse prevention efforts decrease Drug abuse decreases

Drug abuse rises

Cyclical Drug Use Concern over drug abuse rises Drug abuse prevention efforts increase

Source: https://www.addictioncenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Cyclical-Drug-Use-357x268.jpg

41

2. Gun safety education should teach the value of life; kids get negative messaging from movies and video games. a.

They have to learn the right way. Kids see movies, video games with lots of violence, and they don’t understand that they should value life. You can’t just kill someone for no reason. I think it should be part of the gun education.

—Youngyun

c.

A bad example of gun education The NRA put guns in a bunch of famous fairytale stories. Hansel and Gretel (Have Guns)

b.

Image from a video game In violent video games and movies, using a gun is not a big deal and even seems tough and masculine. However, it can lead to violent behavior, and kids may decide that killing is ok and that life is cheap.

Image: Oh Grandmother, what a big gun you have: The NRA rewrites classic fairy tales ww.washingtonpost.com

Image: Gameplay screenshot

The NRA is re-writing stories like ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and ‘Hansel and Gretel’. So the main characters are empowered by guns. The NRA says it’s to help teach gun safety and insists that their versions are less violent then the original stories. However, gun control advocates say it’s promoting gun culture. d.

Columbine school Video games have been blamed as one of the causes of terrible gun crimes like the shooting that took place at the Columbine School in the US in 1999. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, both pupils at the school, killed 13 people and wounded 23 others before using the guns on themselves.

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/carlpercival/audiences-and-videogames e.

Correlation with playing violent video games.

Dirty Harry, 1971

Source: https://english110062.files.wordpress. com/2014/11/i-07a7b2b8b30d64628108cb77d3c80917-videog.gif

42

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

3. The right to bear arms comes with responsibility. a.

As Americans, we have this right to keep and bear arms but it has to taken with a serious sense of responsibility. That’s part of the equation that’s missing and it would be a great thing for gun education to address. (Brett)

d.

Treating guns as we treat cars

b.

The relationship between Number of Firearms vs. Gun Homicide Rate.

Source: http://files.abovetopsecret.com/files/img/us50cd7d0a.JPG Source: percent_changes_since_1993_-_number_of_firearms_vs._gun_ homicide_rate_1993-2013.png?itok=2k90gxfi c.

Firearms safety rules -Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.

-Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

-Do not point at or cover anything with the muzzle you do not intend to shoot.

-Be certain of your line of fire and backstop. If you are not sure, don’t shoot.

Source: http://outdoorchannel.com/content/articles/firearm-safety-rules.jpg

e.

Quotes “I do not believe in the general promiscuous toting of guns. I think it should be sharply restricted and only under licenses.”

—NRA President Karl Frederick, 1934

43

44

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

45

Field Trip: Gun range

Experience the culture and try to understand and have empathy with unfamiliar US gun culture.

Before I had the midpoint presentation, I visited a gun range for a better understanding of gun culture in the US. From making an appointment to doing the activity, everything was very easy and the people were very kind. It was less scary and people regarded it as a sport. The staff emphasized safety but it was not very serious.

I personally didn’t like the sounds of staccato bursts of gunfire, so I won’t go there again but it was really good opportunity to see the real scene of a gun range and do some shooting myself. It’s much better than watching the documentaries or reading something.

46

01.

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

47

02.

01.

Visit to Jackson Arams Address: 152 Utah Ave #140, South San Francisco, CA 94080 Phone: 605-588-4209 Price: $50 per person including 25min safety instruction and 50 bullets.

02.

Shooting is just a sport to Americans, like bowling. It’s not that different.

People bring their own guns and other equipment, and the staff also sells or rents whatever the customers need. Everyone was friendly, and the customers seemed to enjoy shooting and were fully focused on what they were doing. I’ve also heard that it’s a great stress reduction activity for a lot of people.

48

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

03.

The gun range staff gave me 50 bullets and let me know how could I put them into the gun. The staff member always was there, and I could ask for help from him anytime I wanted. Sometimes the guns were not working very well especially when I did something wrong, such as not putting the bullets in correctly or forgetting to unlock the small safety button.

04.

The sounds of bursts and the physical impact when shooting the gun made me scared. The gun was heavier than I expected and made a big sound which was terrifying. I got 50 bullets but I only used 20 because I was too scared. During the shooting I felt pretty bad because I was controlling a machine which could kill people.

05.

It was my first shooting, but the score was pretty good.

49

03.

04.

05.

50

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

51

Field Trip: Gun show

Visit a pro-gun event and listen to their opinions Gun Show Date: Nov 6, 2016 Place: Cow Palace in San Francisco After passing the mid-point review, I visited a gun show. Before I visited the gun show I think I had a a vague concept and understanding of the pro-gun side. When I went, I saw the big title sign “Welcome patriots,” and it was really unforgettable. I could not take photos because of their rule so I just looked around the show and the exhibitions. There are not only guns but also some other weapons, for example knives and hammers, etc. Also many pro-gun organization promoted their business and handed out their booklets and business cards. The show also provided gun safety education, and people also could get gun licenses.

As a designer the show looked just like a market place which sells their products, and there were no visually interesting things. I expected something because the name was “show,” but it was a bit dull. It was just like a weapons flea market. On the other hand, I also found out that the people who work there as well as the manufacturers might lose their jobs if guns were eliminated.

52

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

53

54

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Interview overview

Meet people in person and discuss gun safety and the project During the research, I met two people: David, an SF police sergeant, who uses guns as part of his work as a police officer, and Ari, an attorney at the Law Center for Prevent Gun Violence here in San Francisco.

I wanted to interview about 20 people but finally I could meet only these two in person. Interestingly, they had completely different background about guns and opinions.

However, they agreed that we need gun safety education. David and Ari both confirmed that the availability of firearms to people with mental health issues poses a big safety risk.They both mentioned that a gun safety education without political opinions would be really difficult, but they supported my idea.

It was not easy to request the interview and make appointments, but I think it’s much better and more informative than just reading books, watching documentaries, and googling at home.

55

David S. Maron: a San Francisco police sergeant I met him at his office and interviewed him about an hour. He worked as a member of SWAT for 7 years and now he is a sergeant of police in San Francisco. We started the conversation with a question about what the biggest cause of gun violence is, and he said that the availability of guns and the problem of drugs and gangs are the biggest causes. As for violence in the media, his opinion was that it doesn’t contribute to violence, but that it makes people numb to it.

I also asked about the relationship between gun violence and violent media, and he answered that people are numb to the violence in media.

The gun education program could address these problems with sensitivity classes.

Lastly for the contents of my thesis project, especially a gun safety education curriculum, he suggested that proper storage must be included as a part of it. According to him, inappropriate storage allows kids to play with their parents’ guns; the kids might find the guns and show them off to their friends, and this can cause serious accidents. Moreover, many crimes are committed with stolen guns. The sergeant has seen many cases where householders have had their guns stolen because they stored them unsecured in a closet or under a bed, and this has led to gun crimes as a result.

Ari Freilich: An attorney at the Law Center for Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco For this interview I contacted the Law Center for Preventing Gun Violence in SF because it is easy to meet them in person, and I could meet someone with different experience and viewpoints from the first interviewee. So I sent an email and several days later the Center connected me to the attorney, and we made an appointment. The office is in downtown San Francisco, and everyone was very kind.

The most impressive answers were: first, he said that an apolitical gun education program might be a tough sell, but if we focused on gun safety and responsibility, it would be possible. At this time I had a hard time not having political opinions in my education program and in the visual approach. But after hearing Mr. Fleilich, it encouraged me and made me more dedicated to the project. Second, when we talked about the contents of a gun education curriculum, he mentioned that various kinds of counseling, art therapy, and anger management programs might be effective in conjunction with gun safety education. Ari was very supportive to my project and at the end of the interview he gave some other organizations’ email addresses to aid in my further research.

56

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

57

Survey

Ask more questions to the public and listen to their opinions on my project During the interviews I also conducted surveys with about 240 people: 122 people overall, including 60 parents and 59 educators. The top three age groups were 1. 45-59 (71%) 2. 30-44 (31.9%) 3. 18-29 (20), and among them, about 60% of participants were female. For the regional aspects, the top three participants were from the Northeast, Middle Atlantic and Pacific regions of the US. I asked 11 questions and it was fascinating listening to opinions with different perspectives from a range of different people.

Questions: 01. As a U.S. citizen, are you satisfied with current gun policy in the US? Why or why not?

02. How serious is the problem of gun-related crimes and deaths in the U.S.?

03. Do you feel you or your loved ones are in danger from gun violence?

04. Are you open to the idea of gun education program in your schools?

05. What can and should schools do to keep students safe from gun violence?

06. Do you think gun education would reduce gun violence? and why do you think so?

07. Which of these should be the main focus of gun education?

08. Would you be willing to participate in a campaign promoting non-political gun education in our schools? Why or Why not?

09. What do you think is the biggest cause of gun violence?

10. What is the most important and effective action we could take to reduce gun violence in the long run?

11. Do you support using federal and state taxes to fund a nationwide gun education program?

58

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Q1. As a U.S. citizen, are you satisfied with current gun policy in the US? Why or why not?

Yes 30%

No 70%

Opinions 01 : Yes - Yes, I don’t think criminals care about laws, so more laws are not helpful - I’m satisfied with current measures. Gun control policies only affect law abiding citizens. Criminals are not affect by policies and will get access to weapons through more nefarious means.

- I feel that it protects our 2nd amendment rights and background checks give good safe guards against criminals buying guns - Yes, there are enough safeguards in place for Legal gun ownership - I think our current policy of allowing gun ownership is fine.

- Mostly I am. I am not in favor of restrictions on how many guns a person may own. We have a background check system that works. Usually the people who are committing crimes acquired their guns through illegal ways. I live in an open carry state. I have not seen any issues yet because of this and have only seen two people that are open carrying, so it has not been a problem.

Opinions 02 : No - No, because anyone can buy a gun in what they call black market.

- No. More regulations are needed - I don’t feel educated enough on this topic to provide an answer - I am not satisfied with enforcement of the current gun laws, which may be adequate if enforced.

59

Q2. How serious is the problem of gunrelated crimes and deaths in the U.S.?

Not very serious 6.22%

Somewhat serious 25.73%

Very serious 68.05%

Q3. Do you feel you or your loved ones are in danger from gun violence?

Not very serious 6.22%

Not Sure 23.24%

No 37.34%

60

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Q4. Are you open to the idea of gun education program in your schools?

No 25%

Yes 75%

Q5. What can and should schools do to keep students safe from gun violence?

- Teach about gun safety, explain social conditions producing gun violence, advocate enforce existing gun laws

- Tell students what to do in case of violent attack; have drills; teach difference between fantasy (TV MOVIES) and reality

- What we are doing (I’m a teacher) is updating our response plan to something much more effective. I won’t go into the details here, but on the school end we are doing everything that we can to protect our children, the weak link in this chain is the policy that makes acquisition of deadly weapons so easy and simple.

- Educate at EVERY level. Don’t wait...start in kindergarten.

- One big thing is mental illness and bullying is the cause of these attacts. More counseling for the students - Teach gun safety and safe handling. They should not just tell them guns are bad, as they aren’t, but the people that violate others rights are what is bad.

- Teach them to never play with a gun at home or in a friends’ home.

- Education is the only way. Just yesterday, 2 kids were shot: a 14 yr.old shot a 6 yr.old in the leg as he got shot in the leg also while trying to “protect” them. The gun should’ve been locked up with no parent in the home.

- Practice similar to fire drills, turn off lights, lock door, stay away from windows, get out of sight - Educate kids on all areas of gun safety instead of letting them learn from tv & video games!

- More education would be helpful, and security measures should be in place. Teachers should have a plan, and students should know how to respond.

61

“Education and awareness are almost always a good thing.

However, the education given would need to be very serious and talk realistically and reasonably about the dangers and risks associated with guns.�

62

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Q6. Do you think gun education would reduce gun violence? and why do you think so?

Not sure 30%

No 24%

Yes 46%

Opinion 01: Yes - Yes because people will be more aware of the problems.

- Guns are currently viewed by many as toys and have a “cool” factor (video games and movies unfortunately reinforce this concept in children). Guns should be presented as tools and like any other tool, the proper use needs to be taught and a proper respect for the dangers of the tool need to be taught. This is one tool that can kill.

- Education is always at the for front of a progressive movement

Opinion 03 : Not sure - On one hand, educating people is a good thing, but on the other hand, people shouldn’t feel comfortable around guns and making them a more familiar and common object might have the opposite of the intended effect.

- It would reduce accidental gun deaths, but I don’t think it will change the mind of criminals who use guns to commit crimes.

- I hope it would but I fear that among the ones causing the problems, no amount of education will change them.

- Education & knowledge is power - As I said in the question above, comprehensive sexual education has led to decline in teenage pregnancy and STDs, so it is likely that it would have the same affect on gun violence.

- Unlikely. I suppose it would depend on the audience. Law abiding citizens that own guns are not causing gun violence. Educating criminals about gun violence would be pointless since former convicts lose the right to own weapons - Parents have more influence than anti gun education

Opinion 02: No - Look at the statistics; matters are worse after anything that encourages gun use, even “safe” gun use - The people who want to use guns for violence already know about guns - Knowing/not knowing about guns is not the reason why gun violence occurs. The ability to access guns and the conditions leading people to want to access/use guns is the reason why gun violence occurs.

There needs to be other education/support for people to prevent these conditions.

- Depends on the type of education- ‘How to’ vs ‘health risk’

63

Q7. Which of these should be the main focus of gun education?

Safety

How to use guns

Responsibility

Anger management and counseling

Hearing testimony from experts, perpetrators and victims

Art therapy

All of the above

Others

64

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Q8. Would you be willing to participate in a campaign promoting non-political gun education in our schools? Why or Why not?

No 43%

Yes 57%

Why? - Yes, all school staff could participate

Why not?

- too many volunteer programs, keeping me busy as it is

- Yes, if the program held promise of being effective

- no - I do not want to support guns in any way

- Yes, I think gun safety and responsibility is a good thing

- Not that passionate about it.

- Why not?

- I don’t believe it would really be non political

- It coukd reduce gun related accidents

- I am a teacher so I don’t think my employer would allow it.

- Could make a difference

- I’m no expert

- Yes, because we need children to understand what they need to know.

- Yes. Education on gun safety/use is important. Students should be prepared to make life decisions following formal education. If we teach students about safe sex (to keep them from getting infectious diseases) then we should teach them about gun safety (to inform them about inheirent dangers associated with improper weapon handling/usage).

- I have experience with guns and have taught both of my kids gun education/safety. Its important for kids to realize what they see in movies is NOT reality. Guns can kills if used improperly and it not glamorous as Hollywood portrays.

65

Q9. What do you think is the biggest cause of gun violence?

Poverty

Influence of gangs

Availability of firearms

Declining police legitimacy

Drug usage

Violent media (movies, TV shows, video games) Shut down violence prevention programs

Others

66

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Q10. What is the most important and effective action we could take to reduce gun violence in the long run?

Focus more on a non-political nationwide gun education safety program in schools 27.01%

Reinforce background checks 26.07%

Launch stronger gun-related laws 36.49%

Others 10.43%

Q11. Do you support using federal and state taxes to fund a nationwide gun education program?

Yes 40%

No 24%

It depends 36%

67

68

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

69

Chapter 03. Strategies

Strategies & design solutions 1. Eighteen Insights 2. Three key insights 3. Materials matrix

1 2 3

After the various types of research I gathered the ideas and tied them together as 18 significant insights. Each one is for the strategies and contents of the deliverables. Among the eighteen, I picked the three most important insights and built the project’s strategies. Based on the strategies I planned which deliverables I would make.

70

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

71

Eighteen Insights

Gather the ideas from research and organize them as 18 insights From the research (connection mapping, discussion event, field trip, interview, and survey) I’ve gotten many new ideas and perspectives. By using the ideas I built 18 significant insights, including 3 most important points and 15 sub ideas which will be a part of the final deliverables.

01. The debate is politicized, and therefore the gun violence problem is not easy to solve.

02. Gun violence is preventable as long as we can recognize the signs.

03. An effective gun safety education program requires cooperation between parents and teachers.

04. The common element in gun deaths is the gun. But the causes are very different, and that means the solution must be, too.

05. Funding is a big part of sustainability of gun education program.

06. A successful gun education program could be designed based on some existing prevention program like D.A.R.E..

07. The proper storage of guns could be a main component of the gun education.

08. An easy and effective way to reduce gun violence is to educate people.

09. The goal is to increase gun safety rather than to eliminate guns.

10. Some teachers are willing to adopt a gun safety program in their schools, but its’s not unanimous.

11. The fact of guns in wrong hands is one of the big causes of gun violence. We have to focus on the accessibility.

12. Gun education should teach the value of life; kids get negative messaging from movies and video games.

13. It will make people less emotional in the moment. Anger management and rational process are the keys.

14. Current magazines and media groups do not represent a non-political or middle ground position on the gun issue.

15. There is no non-political gun education system in schools.

16. Real gun ownership can lead to a moderate view, i.e, guns are ok as long as users are educated.

17. The right to bear arms comes with responsibility.

18. Testimony from experts, perpetrators, and victims from people who deal with violence in urban neighborhoods could be a part of the education.

72

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

73

74

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Three key insights: no1.

The debate is politicized, and therefore the gun violence problem is not easy to solve.

According to many news reports these days, the debate over guns is more polarized than ever. This polarization make it hard to solve the problem of gun violence. Sometimes people focus more on who’s right or wrong than on the guns or on safety itself. When I interviewed Ari Freilich, staff attorney at the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, he said that an apolitical gun education program might be a tough sell, but if we focused on gun safety and responsibility, it would be possible.

Therefore, we have to make it clear that gun safety education is not about the 2nd Amendment or the right to own guns. This is about our safety, so we have to achieve national unity rather than debate.

Sources: –NBCSL (National Black Caucus State Legislators) –Interview, Ari Freilich, Staff Attorney of the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Dec 7, 2016

75

76

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Three key insights: no2.

Gun violence is preventable as long as we can recognize the signs.

Based on my survey, 75% of 241 people interviewed said they were open to the idea of gun education, but when asked if they were willing to participate in the gun education program, only 36% said yes. It shows that there is debate about who should have responsibility for teaching and running the program. For example, in the survey, some people said that schools are the best place to implement the education, but others said that the gun education should be taught in the individuals’ homes.

In the article, To Teach or Not Teach Gun Safety in School, by Claire Moore at ABCNEWS.COM., Moore expresses concern that teachers and parents will come to rely on gun education too much. In addition, “education alone won’t do it and it can sometimes make parents and teachers somewhat complacent,”according to Daniel Webster, a health policy researcher at The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.

Moreover, Melinda Maliko, a department spokesperson at the Department of Education said that “in schools the only thing that works to stop gun violence is some education combined with intervention, counselors in every school, parents getting involved, teachers being trained and involved and so on. Education is no silver bullet.”

Therefore, we have to understand that education cannot work alone. It requires cooperation with the educators; parents need to get involved, teachers trained and involved, and there needs to be support from the community.

Sources: –Gun Education Survey, Survey monkey, October 2016, 241 responses. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/628RBBK –To Teach or Not Teach Gun Safety in School, by HREF, MAILTO, CLAIRE.MOORE, ABCNEWS.COM and CLAIRE MOORE, abdnews.com, Aug 20, 2015 http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96091&page=1

77

78

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Three key insights: no3.

An effective gun safety education program requires cooperation between parents and teachers.

Nicole Hockley, the founder and managing director of the Sandy Hook Promise, a non-profit working to end gun-related deaths, says that most gun violence shows signs and signals before it happens. Research shows that there are many high-risk behaviors that can be observed before violence occurs. For example, most mass shootings are planned at lease 6 months in advance, and nearly all cases give off warning signals. More than 70% of the victims of gun suicide had talked to someone about their problems. A gun education program can teach how to observe and hear others’ problems in order to prevent gun violence before it happens.

Moreover, there is an interesting approach which treats gun violence as a public health crisis such as Ebola or other diseases. Gary Slutkin, an epidemiologist, has stated in a Ted Talk that we should treat violence “like a contagious disease” and that when he and his team did this, conducting the treatment through several stages, the first experiment resulted in a 67% drop in shootings and killings in the West Garfield neighborhood of Chicago. This approach has shown possibilities in several different areas in the U.S..

In addition, Vivek Murthy, American physician, vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the 19th Surgeon General of the United States, strongly believes that gun violence is a preventable health problem, comparing it to seatbelt and swimming pool safety.

Similarly, teachers and parents could also prevent violence if they diagnose the symptoms through a regular gun education program in their schools or homes.

Sources: –All Gun Violence is Preventable If You Know the Signs, Nicole Hockley, Ted Talk, Mar 21,

– Surgeon general stands by comments on gun violence, Sally Ho, The Boston Globe,

2016

August 17, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DD4wmwBUzc

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/08/16/surgeon-general-has-re-

–Let’s treat violence like a contagious disease, Gary Slutkin, Ted Talk, April 2013

grets-about-gun-violence-statement/sEqxetKNaOhBgZpzkRA7yI/story.html

https://www.ted.com/talks/gary_slutkin_let_s_treat_violence_like_a_contagious_disease?language=en

79

80

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

-

81 TOPIC:

OUTCOMES:

AUDIENCES:

Gun Safety Education

Reduce gun violence,

Teachers

increase gun safety

Parents

Provide a moderate alternative to the extreme opinions in the gun debate and encourage teachers and parents to teach children about gun safety education from an apolitical perspective.

Encourage teachers and parents to participate more actively in the gun safety education program.

Inform people with up-to-date news and knowledge from experts on the recognizable signs of gun violence and how to deal with them.

Gun Safety Education Curriculum

Gun Safety Education Awareness Campaign

Symptoms of Gun Violence Recognition Campaign

An apolitical gun safety education curriculum which will help students develop informed opinions from an early age.

A campaign which encourages teachers and parents to teach the principles, ideas, and methods of the gun education system in the classroom and the home.

4

1

A campaign which will help people understand that gun violence in preventable and show them how to recognize the symptoms before violence occurs, making our children and neighborhoods safer.

GUN EDUCATION

Materials Matrix STRATEGIES

DELIVERABLES

PROMOTION SPECIFIC INFORMATION

—Teachers and parents can use this apolitical educational website so that a standardized gun education system can be maintained in the U.S..

—The website provides the education guidelines so that it can be implemented by anyone.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF PROMOTION

An Educational Website —This website will provide information and the curriculum for the gun safety education program.

A Promotional and Informational Booklet —This booklet will introduce and promote the gun safety curriculum website.

—The booklet provides simple instructions on how to use the website and the curriculum.

1

A Promotional Poster Series —Three posters that promote gun safety education and encourage people to participate in the program.

SUNJUNG PARK

ssunssi02@naver.com

PROMOTION

PROMOTION

4 An Interactive Mobile Application —Through this mobile application, the users will be able to identify the symptoms of gun violence and share their ideas and experience.

1

A promotional movie —This 1-minute movie will promote the mobile application.

—The movie will help people understand how we can diagnose the symptoms of gun violence through the app.

82

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

83

Chapter 04.Design development

Design process 1. Identity development 2. Visual systems changes 3. Website design 4. Booklet design & story telling 5. Poster design 6. Mobile application contents & design 7. Movie storyboard & design

1 2 3 4 5 6

The research and building strategies helped me to plan which deliverablesI would do for the final. I decided to create an educational website, promotional and informational products like a booklet and posters, an interactive mobile application which helps people to prevent gun violence as well as a promotional movie for the app. Also I made big changes to the brand visual systems so the chapter shows each step in the process for the deliverables from ideation, through changes and the refinements.

84

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

85

Identity development

Creating a brand name and developing the brand identity After I built the structure of the brand developing, I created the brand name and the identity. At first, I tried to use a word which represents my brand, but in the end I concluded that the brand name should show the concept directly, so I named it EduGun. My brand name explorations can be found below.

Brand name exploration Beyond debate Harmony ReConciliation ComBine / Gunbine Unity / Gunity Know/Learn About Guns Understanding Guns Gun Story Gun Safety Gun Friendly Living With Guns Gun Teach gunteachamerican.com gunteachusa.com Gunstruction Awareguns GunEducation Learn&Safety Learning safety gunedu.com gunsafety.edu Learn and Guns UseWise Aegia Spears&Shied Safeseeking Safety Keeper Be the First The First Aid Gun/Safety pedagogy The Guidance Armor Salvage Piece and Peace

86

EDUGUN

Brand identity development

MFA THESIS PROJECT

At first I wanted to make the logo without any symbolic elements because I thought the name itself was very important and it should represent via its name without any images. However while developing the logo, I’ve heard some feedback that it’s better to have visual elements that represent that this is about guns and gun safety. However when I added some images related to guns, it seemed like the brand had a political perspective. So I thought that it would be really hard not to have any political opinions even when it came to this visual aspect.

87

01.

02.

03.

04.

05.

06.

07.

08.

09.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

88

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

89

90

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Visual systems changes

Identifying an appropriate visual system for EduGun During the thesis study, I made a major change to the visual system.

At first it was more playful and juvenile. However, when I was refining the deliverables, I realized that it should be more serious. So I used fewer colors and a more structured typeface.Â

91

Color pallet

Before the color pallet was composed of a combination of warm and color colors. It was ten colors total, but during the changes, I realized that the color pallet made the project too happy and not too serious. I reduced the numbers of colors to orange, navy, and gray scales (from white to black). The new color scheme makes the project seem serious enough.

01.

02.

92

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Typography

I used two typefaces (Brandon grotesque and Trade gothic), but their rounded shapes make the project look too light and trivial, so I decided to change to a more structured typeface, i.e., Franklin Gothic. One more thing is that I want to use just one typeface because I want to keep it simple since the topic itself is already fairly complicated. Also Franklin Gothic has various weights so it’s sufficient to use this as the one main typeface.

01.

EduGun EduGun is an educational program that dedicates to increase gun safety reduce gun violence. in the United States gun issue is threatening our daily life. While people are arguing about the existence of the guns the incidents and accidents are happening every day. In order to stop the gun death we encourage people to go beyond the debate and focus more on our safety it self.

02.

EduGun EduGun is an educational program that dedicates to increase gun safety reduce gun violence. in the United States gun issue is threatening our daily life. While people are arguing about the existence of the guns the incidents and accidents are happening every day. In order to stop the gun death we encourage people to go beyond the debate and focus more on our safety it self.

93

Photography

The photography style was a combination of black and white and color photos with duo tone colors. The photography should be back and white and the duo tone should only be used for emphasis. However since making the color changes, I had to change the duo tone color and decided to use it for all photos instead of using a part of them. Also I created a new approach to the photography, which meant dividing the pictures and making them as one image - indicating that EduGun would unify citizens around the guns safety issue.

01.

02.

94

EDUGUN

Icon design

MFA THESIS PROJECT

The icon was created by combining thin and thick stocks. They were mostly a thin line-dominant style but used thick lines for some icon elements and the images are cropped. However, the combination of thin and thick lines and cropped images made the visual very complicated. I decided to just use one line and not crop the images.

01.

02.

95

96

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

97

Website design

An apolitical curriculum which will help students develop informed opinions from an early age.

EduGun website is one of the main deliverables within this project. The website shares all the curriculum information through this website and the target users: teachers and parents can use this apolitical educational website so that a standardized educational system can be maintained. Also, the website provides simple instructions on how to teach students and children in classrooms and in the home.

The curriculum ideas and contents are all from my research. After I built the prototype, I conducted user testing with potential users, teachers and high school students and made some changes and finalized the prototype. However after this step, I made some major changes to the visual aspect, and I had to re-design the website with the same structure and contents.

98

EDUGUN

sketch

MFA THESIS PROJECT

ske

etch

99

sketch

100

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

EduGun website structure

Since the contents are heavy in subject matter, I tried to make the structure very simple. Furthermore, because the educational approach is a new approach, I’d like to provide information about what it is and how to use it in detail. So from the Home, About and For parents and teachers menus, the users can get detailed information on the EduGun program.

After the users figure out the program, they can take the 10 week class curriculum. The website also provides the guidelines, which make the

HOME

education program standardized. Each week has a topic with a quiz so the users (teachers and parents) can lecture or simply explain the contents and give the quiz after the lecture or discussion.

Through the news and story sections, the users can find current news about gun violence and testimonials about the program and share their opinions of the news, the program, and their communities’ news.

ABOUT

FOR PARENTS& TEACHERS

CURRICULUM

NEWS

STORY

WEEK 01

WEEK 02

WEEK 06

WEEK 07

101

WEEK 03

WEEK 04

WEEK 05

WEEK 08

WEEK 09

WEEK 10

102

EDUGUN

edu gun

ABOUT

GUN/EDUCATION

BLOG

MFA THESIS PROJECT

The first three concepts of the website

CONTACT

At the beginning I experimented with three completely different visual concepts for the website. I tried to use big types, small types, quotations, and various types of shapes as a part of main design elements as well as icons with b/w and colored photos and duo tone colored photos.

I didn’t pick one of them, but I decided to combine some good elements from each design concepts, such as a big quotation mark from the first design, icons from the second concept and broken words from the third concept. And then I finalized the website design before I conducted the user testing.

edu_gun aims to increase gun safety and reduce gun violence.

about

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et

safety education Š 2017 by Sunjung Park

lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam.

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook linkedin

103

edu + about

gun&education

about

blog

gun_education

blog

contact

contact

edu_gun aims to increase gun safety and reduce gun violence.

&

we are only talking about our safety.

the_program

edu_gun aims to increase gun safety and reduce gun violence. we are only talking about our safety.

our_mission

we_connect

safe

sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

lorem ipsum dolor sit amet mmy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

mmy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud.

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook linkedin

ty

edu cation

lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Š 2017 by Sunjung Park

how_to_use

lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euis mod tincidunt ut laoreet

violence

dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, tion ullamcorper sus

sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

Š 2017 by Sunjung Park

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook linkedin

104

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Website development

After figuring out the visuals, I added contents to each menu.

Since it has a 10 week curriculum, there is so much writing as well as design work.

about

curriculum

communication

news

contact

edu gun

EduGun aims to increase gun safety and reduce gun violence by using an apolitical approach.

Let’s talk about our safety.

Talking about safety Going beyond the debate

safe ty

At EduGun, we understand the need to acknowledge the different sides in the gun debate. However, we seek common sense

solutions based on education that will unify us and protect our children and communities at the same time. In the current

climate, this won’t be easy, but we think the approaches we suggest on this site will be a step in the right direction and hope that you'll join us!

About EduGun Increase gun safety and reduce gun violence This apolitical and nationwide education program allows people to learn all the necessary facts and get information about gun

edu cation violence and gun safety.

Whether you own guns or not, or support gun ownership or not, we all need to be educated as citizens of the United States.

Through this important education program, we can increase gun safety and reduce gun violence together.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

© 2017 by EduGun

—Nelson Mandela

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook

About EduGun

105

EduGun is a unified, nationwide and internet-based gun safety education program for all of us.

about

curriculum

communication

news

contact

EduGun looks for solutions that we can all agree on.

Why do we need EduGun? Stop the senseless gun violence In many parts of the United States, gun violence is still a threat to our communities and schools. EduGun wants to apply practical and common sense remedies that avoid the political debate.

About the curriculum

This curriculum does not focus on specific opinions about guns.

It only focuses on guns and gun safety. It also includes both sides of the arguments about gun ownership and explains why we have

In 2016, there were almost 60,000 incidents of gun violence in

become so divided. It also explains how we can cooperate for our

the U.S.. Isn’t it time for a new approach?

safety rather than being stuck in our polarized viewpoints. The

curriculum also includes mental health treatment for some of the emotional causes of gun violence. Keep reading below and explore the EduGun curriculum!

A unifying approach

Curriculum overview

Finding the middle ground To further a non-controversial gun education program, we have to move past political and polarizing opinions. We understand these opinions have widespread support in many places, but we want to unify through education and common goals.

The debate will probably never be resolved, and the two sides may never convince each other. However, we are all Americans, and we have solved problems together before. Now is the time for EduGun!

EduGun: Nationwide & local

Intro

Safety

50 states but we’re in it together

This is the first step. This chapter explains why we

In this chapter, people can learn about gun safety

Many states have different kinds of gun laws reflecting local

need this program and discusses the current situation

features, proper storage, and accessibility and what

attitudes and politics. So this gun education program will work to

of gun violence in the U.S..

happens when guns end up in the wrong hands.

Week 01: About the class

Week 03: Proper storage

Week 02: The middle ground?

Week 04: Accessibility

Philosophy & Values

Awareness & treatment

These days people think life is cheap because there

Some current studies show that gun violence has

is so much violence in the media. So this chapter

warning signs and symptoms that can be diagnosed.

reminds people to reflect on the real value of life as

In this chapter you can learn what the signs are and

solu tions

bring unity while also acknowledging that different regions have different ideas about guns and gun culture.

Check out the curriculum here

© 2017 by EduGun

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook

about

curriculum

communication

news

well as the responsibilities of gun ownership.

how to prevent violence long before it happens.

Week 05: The value of life

Week 08: The signs

Week 06: Responsibility

Week 09: Gun violence & public health

Week 07: Alcohol & guns

Week 10: anger management

contact

EduGun education guidelines week

01.

01 About this class

This is a 10 week-long educational curriculum.

05. Teachers and parents can modify this curriculum based on

regional or state gun laws and customs.

02. Teach one topic per day. You can schedule it daily, weekly or

bi-weekly but don’t make the schedule monthly because it

Have you ever thought about a gun education program which might be apolitical and non-controversial? Have you considered that guns and gun safety could be separated from the political arguments? It might be hard to do that at first glance.

However, it is possible when we realize that beyond all the

might be difficult for participants to retain the information.

06. NO POLITICAL OPINIONS ARE ALLOWED 07. Please be well-informed of all the contents before you use

03. Each class should be 30 min

this curriculum in your class or home.

04. Each class includes 1 topic, overview and materials on the

08. When you finish the education program, encourage your chil-

topic, as well as a discussion or activity and reading or video

dren or students to participate in discussions and to keep up

links.

with the news updates and testimonies from experts.

debates and arguments, there is a common concern for our security. So we encourage citizens to focus more on safety instead of on the debates about guns. The debates might never be resolved, so we need to move to reduce gun violence and increase gun safety through education.

© 2017 by EduGun

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook

Introduction to EduGun about

Contents of week 01

Activities & discussion

What is EduGun?

Discussion

In the first session, we introduce the reasons

There are many gun safety education programs in

and principles behind the EduGun program. We

the U.S.. Talk about your experience of these.

explain why it's important and why the EduGun

If you don’t have experience, talk about why you

approach will help the country make progress

haven't encountered it.

curriculum

communication

news

contact

towards reducing gun violence.

Why do we need this?

Links

In the United States currently, there are more

New law allows schools to teach gun safety to

guns than people. The statistics go up and down,

first-graders:

but the problem as a whole is not going away.

www.cnn.com/2013/07/15/politics/missou-

And it affects all of us - our communities, our schools, our young people, and our society. More than 100,000 people are shot every year in the U.S.. Current solutions aren't working. This is why we need EduGun.

An apolitical position The gun debate in the U.S. is dominated by the extremes on either side. It's important that we realize where they are coming from, but the EduGun program is an attempt to deal with the problem in a practical way beyond political ideologies. Our idea is that we can find a middle position that acknowledges both sides but finds solutions in safety, common sense and a range of apolitical solutions.

edu gun ri-first-grade-gun-lessons/

For teachers & parents

EduGun brings up-to-date research and articles on the gun issue and puts them in a simple, easy-to-use format.

EduGun was created for teachers and parents.

For teachers A flexible, easy-to-use curriculum EduGun realizes that teachers have a busy workload and don’t want a difficult, complicated lesson plan. That’s why we’ve created a flexible, interesting set of lessons that will give you everything

Read more and download pdf

Week 02 The middle ground? © 2017 by EduGun

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook

you need to teach the basics of an apolitical, practical gun education program wherever you are in the U.S..

106

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

“It encourages teachers and parents to show their kids, but can be used by anyone.”

— Ricky Wranitz, Navy veteran, Mathematics tutor - City College of San Francisco

107

User testing

Bring the website to the public and get some insights I’ve completed the user testing on the EduGun Website (both the contents and visual treatment).

Since this website will be implemented by teachers and parents at their schools and homes, the user testing was conducted at Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132. I met two teachers at the school; one of the teachers is the mother of two teenagers, so these participants represented the primary audiences for my project.

Four Lowell High School students also participated in the user testing as the second target audience of the project.

I also met a veteran of the armed forces who is now working as a mathematics tutor in the math lab at City College of San Francisco. We met in the lab and did the testing. He is not a member of my target audiences, but as a citizen and a veteran, his opinions were helpful.

I began the testing by introducing the concept of the website briefly; the users tested the site, and then they were asked 14 questions.

108

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Feedback Dropdown menus People really liked the dropdown menus and said that the menus helped them explore each section and easily locate the contents.

However, one problem involved clarity in the ‘curriculum’ section; most of the users wanted to see each topic listed in the dropdown instead of just ‘Week 01, Week 02’, etc. I think this makes sense and like the idea of seeing each session’s topic at a glance, so I’ve applied this suggestion.

Color scheme Regarding the color scheme, half the users liked it, but the other half didn’t. Some said that the colors were friendly and comfortable as well as less aggressive and mellower than what they’d expected, so that was good. However, one user said that there were too many colors, and another said that some sections seemed empty due to their only being white, black, and grey.

109

about

curriculum

communication

news

contact

week 01 week 02 week 03 week 04 week 05 week 06 week 07 week 08

“Under the “curriculum” tab, there should be subcategories for the weeks.”

— Soo Park, Korean teacher at Lowell High school, mother of two teenagers

week 09

edu gun week 10

about

curriculum

communication

news

contact

about curriculum

We encourage teachers and parents to use this program at their schools and in

their homes. Whether they have guns or not, this educational program is necessary for the safety and security of people in our communities.

Here we provide an overview of the website, curriculum and guidelines for the gun education program. Please read it through and consider how you might apply it in your class or home.

Curriculum overview

“The lack of red & blue makes it seem less aggressive.”

— Ben Finch, Spanish teacher at Lowell High school Introduction

Safety

This is the first step. These chapters explain why we need this

In this chapter people can learn about gun safety features, proper

program and the current situation of gun violence in the U.S..

storage, and accessibility and what happens when guns end up in the wrong hands

week 01: about the class

week 03: proper storage

week 02: the arguments

week 04: accessibility

Philosophy & Values

Awareness & treatment

These days people think life is cheap because there is so much

Some current studies show that gun violence has warning signs and

violence in the media. So this chapter reminds people to reflect on

symptoms that can be diagnosed. In this chapter you can learn what

the real value of life as well as the responsibilities of gun ownership.

the signs are and how to prevent violence long before it happens.

week: 05: value of life

week 08: the signs

ms to increase gun safety and reduce gun violence.

Let’s talk about our safety. week 06: responsibility

week 09: gun violence and public health

week 07: drug and guns

© 2017 by EduGun

week 10: anger management

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook linkedin

110

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Legibility issues Some people pointed to legibility issues. Some said that the pinkish color on a grey background made it hard to read and also that it would be better to have a white background with dark colored text.

Typography Some people also were not sure about the hyphenated type treatment.

It was my idea to do this to make the connection between guns and education, and between EduGun and people. However, this intention was not clear to the users, and I had to explain it.

Moreover, there was feedback on the font choice and the density of the typesettings. For some reason, a number of the students didn’t like the font, and they thought the body text was too dense.

111

about

curriculum

communication

news

contact

is class

olitical and

separat-safety and reduce gun violence. eld begun However, it is there isabout a alk our safety.

edu gun

more on safety

ever be

n safety

No politial are allowed about opinions curriculum communication

news

contact

safe ty

On this website, we are only talking about safety. No political opinions are allowed.

In the current debate and polarized climate, this is difficult, but we think going

“Most of the wording is on a white background,

beyond the debate is the best way to focus on protecting ourselves and our families making it easier to read.” from the threat of gun violence in our communities.

based educa-

— Rickey Wranitz, Veteran, Mathematics tutor

EduGun is a 10 week-long educational curriculum that teaches the basic rules and

to increase gun issues safety reduce gun violence. facts of gun-related in the and U.S.. Teachers can use it in the schools, and parpaims instructweek ents can use it in the home. We encourage educators to cover one topic per day. unified nation- Let’s talk about our safety.

You can schedule it daily, weekly or bi-weekly but don’t make the schedule monthly

rticle, To

01 about_this_class

ety

E.MOORE at

d parents will

e won’t do it

ent,” accord-

s University

okesperson at nthat all the works to

y. nselors in

olved and so need to at education

because it might be difficult for participants to retain the information. Each class

“I’d like to know the reason why you used

should be thirty minutes long and include one topic, overview and materials, aswords.” well hyphenation between the

Melissa Wong, High school student as a discussion or activity and reading or video links. Since—all the states in the U.S. Have you ever imagined a gun education program which might be apolitical and have different laws on guns, teachers and parents can modify this curriculum based non-controversial? Have you considered that guns and gun safety could be separatNo and politial opinions are allowed on regional or state gun laws customs.

However we require that you not add ed from the political arguments? It might seem hard to do that at first. However, it is

EduGun your personal to these class Please be well-informed possiblepolitical when weopinions realize that beyond all materials. the debates and arguments, there isofa

On this website, we are only talking about safety. No political opinions are allowed.

all the common contentsconcern before you the curriculum.

When you finishthis the In use the current debate andencourage polarized climate, difficult, but we think for our security.

So we citizens toiseducation focus moreproon safetygoing

the debate about is to theparticipate best wayThe to focus on protecting ourselves and our families gram, and encourage your children students in discussions tobe keep unity instead ofbeyond on theor debates guns. debates might and never “The text is too dense.”

from the threat of gun violence in our communities. up withresolved, the news testimonies from experts.

Dominic, High school student soupdates we needand to move to reduce gun violence —and increase gun safety

through education.

In any case, the reason that people are arguing with each other is for our safety.

However, while they just focus on the existence of guns in this country, the prob-

112

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Page connections Some users said that it would be more convenient if there was a link that led directly from week to week, or just left and right arrows on each curriculum page. I think this is a good idea, so I’ve applied this suggestion.

Photography Actually the users didn’t have many comments on the photos, and even some said that the photos were a nice touch and looked good even though they were stock. However, it was a problem that the pictures were instantly recognizable as stock photos. I already knew this might be a problem, so I’m still experimenting with the photography.

113

about

curriculum

communication

news

contact

week

01 about_this_class Have you ever imagined a gun education program which might be apolitical and non-controversial? Have you considered that guns and gun safety could be separated from the political arguments? It might seem hard to do that at first. However, it is possible when we realize that beyond all the debates and arguments, there is a common concern for our security. So we encourage citizens to focus more on safety and unity instead of on the debates about guns. The debates might never be resolved, so we need to move to reduce gun violence and increase gun safety through education.

Introduction of EduGun

contents of week 01

activities & discussion

What is EduGun?

Discussion

There are many gun safety education programs in the U.S..

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

Talk about your experience of these.

Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum

If you don’t have experience, talk about why you haven't

sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes,

encountered it.

nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim.

Why do we need EduGun?

Links

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

New law allows schools to teach gun safety to first-graders:

Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/15/politics/missou-

sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes,

ri-first-grade-gun-lessons/

nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim.

An apolitical position?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes,

about

nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pel-

curriculum

communication

lentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim.

news

contact

Read more and download pdf

© 2017 by EduGun

contact:

Social

edu_gun@google.com

instagram facebook linkedin

“For the curriculum section, it would be convenient if there was a link that led directly from one week to another.

Or even just left/ right arrows on the pages would help to reach the previous and next week sessions.”

— Melissa Wong, High school student

“Nice stock photos!”

— Soo Park, Korean teacher at Lowell High school, mother of two teenagers

We frequently update our news and events page and bring you gun-related news from the U.S.. We encourage our users to keep checking back for updates and to

114

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Overall structure and appearance Most of the users liked the overall structure and feeling of the website.

They easily understood its purpose and who the website is for. They said that it was well-organized and easy to use as well as being accessible, informative, concise, and clear. Just one person (the teacher/mother) said that it was a little bit difficult to get what it was about exactly until she scrolled down the home page.

All the users said that the website was well-organized and easy to understand. They liked the way I had structured each class according to the different topics in gun safety.

about

curriculum

communication

edu gun

“The information is easy to access, and the different elements are neatly organized and accessible.”

— Andrea Zamora, High school student

news

contact

115

116

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

117

Booklet design & story telling

A basic informational booklet provides simple instructions of the website The booklet promotes the EduGun program and informs people about the website, and it will be in schools so that teachers can distribute it to their students, who can then give it to their parents. Also, the booklets can be placed be in public places, stores, local markets, and libraries.

At first the booklet was text-heavy, so I had to reduce the text and add more visual elements. Also during the refinement, I also reduced the contents of the book so the book was getting simpler and easier to understand.

Moreover like the website, I created the booklet before I made the visual change, so I had to change the visuals again after I finalized the booklet.

118

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

119

1st draft

120

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

02

A new approach www.edugun.com

www.edugun.com

06

08

07

What is EduGun ?

INTERNETBASED

APOLITICAL

EduGun

EDUGUN IS:

UNIFIED

Beyond the politics We’ve developed some non-controversial approaches based on current research that will help solve the problem.

A unified and nationwide program SAFETY PROGRAM NATIONWIDE

The U.S. is a complex place with lots of local differences in gun culture and ideas about guns. However, EduGun believes we need to bring everyone together to be safer.

An easy-to-use curriculum Everyone is busy these days. EduGun’s education plan is based on the latest research and is easy for everyone to use, especially parents and teachers.

121

2nd draft 03

04

Solutions that go beyond the debates.

09

05

Education Safety Unity

10

EduGun presents innovative, practical education solutions to the issue of gun violence - solutions that unite us and help make our communities safer.

11

Seven children and teens are killed with guns in the US on an average day.

Curious about solutions?

www.edugun.com

www.edugun.com It’s hard to imagine a world without unnecessary gun deaths and without the ongoing political debate about guns. EduGun offers a way forward with practical solutions that we can agree on. Please help us create safer neighborhoods for our kids and for everyone.

EduGun has done the research and created the curriculum. You might be surprised how easy it is. Come check out our website to learn more and to find out how you can participate in this hopeful new solution.

Come visit us at edugun.com Let’s take the time to create safe communities for everyone!

122

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

123

Posters design

The posters promote gun education and encourage people to participate in the program The poster series emphasizes the serious gun violence situation in the US and suggest EduGun as the solution. Each poster shows a statistic illustrated within the EduGun visual system. Like the booklet, the poster could be put up in schools and throughout the community to raise awareness of the EduGun system and the apolitical approach.

At first I tried to use simple and strong tagline but it didn’t work. I also found it difficult to make the poster visually strong, so I adopted some infographics for the poster design.

124

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

125

126

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

01.

STOP

gun violence

STARTS

gun safety education

TAND

for safety

02.

BE AWARE Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

BE SAFE Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

BE EDUCATED Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

127

03.

Decr ease

t he vi ct ims

ea se

ba

a r e

so

Inc

te

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

Incr ease

ty se a ri li d

Incr ease

gun sa fe ty

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

t he user s

de

cr De

Decr ease

Gun Violen ce Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit.

W

children Lorem from ipsum dolor sit gun amet, consectetuer violence

HERE IS GUN SAFETY EDUCATION

adipiscing elit, sed diam nonum

EDU

GUN

EDU

GUN

GUN

HERE’ THE

SAVE our

EDU

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonum Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonum

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. adipiscing elit, sed diam nonum Lorem ipsum dolor sit

SILVERBULLET.

04.

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

05.

Firearm-related deaths 1968-2015

Deaths from warfare 1775-2015

1,516,863 Firearm-related deaths 1968-2015

1,396,733

1,396,733

Deaths from warfare 1775-2015

1,516,863

128

More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.

More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.

129

05.

25 more injured themselves

In 2015, on average, a baby in America shoots someone about once a week.

19 toddlers have inadvertently killed themselves 13Â injured other people

2 killed other peopleÂ

EduGun provides information, tips, and updates on proper gun safety. Help us lower the number of victims of gun violence. www.edugun.info

130

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

131

132

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

133

Mobile application contents & design

An application allows users to identify the symptoms of gun violence and share their ideas and experiences.

An application allows users to identify the symptoms of gun violence and share their ideas and experiences.

The EduGun Detector application helps users detect signs of gun violence and it suggests solutions. This idea is from the 3rd insight, which says that gun violence is preventable as long as we recognize the signs.

During the research, I found the “Know the Signs� program from the Sandy Hook Promise organization, and I decided to make the program interactive which makes the program more accessible and usable in this digital era. The app also connect users to professionals who can provide advice on gun violence, guns, gun laws as well as mental health care.

To build the app, I first wrote a creative brief which provides background on the app development, what it is, the target audiences, the value of the app, how it provides its services, and what technology makes the service possible. After that, I created the app name (EduGun Detector) and researched the personas. The personas were teachers, parents, teens and people who are close to teens, i.e., family doctors, mentors and private/after school activity tutors or coaches. The first three audience groups were used for the website, so I chose people who are close to teens as the persona for the app.

After I did all the research, I sketched the structures, added visuals, and put all the screens into the prototyping program(Invision).

134

EDUGUN

sketch

MFA THESIS PROJECT

ske

etch

135

sketch

136

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

EduGun mobile application creative brief Background Recent research indicates that gun violence is preventable because there are often warning signs before the incidents or accidents take place. However, the programs which help to prevent gun violence are not always easily accessible. This mobile application makes it easier to access and use these resources; it will also help people understand and identify the signs and symptoms of gun violence and maybe help prevent it from occurring.

Tech/trend that makes the service possible At a time when it is possible to identify the signs of gun violence and create an identification program which can detect who is at risk of hurting themselves or others, this app provides the means to do so. Once the users identify people who potentially need help, the app suggests immediate hotline services and connection to law enforcement, school officials, or mental health professionals. This real time counseling service can provide immediate treatment.

What it is I am building a gun violence-related mobile application that seeks to prevent gun violence before it happens. The app provides information on the symptoms of gun violence so that users can identify potential warning signs in their friends, students, or children and detect how at risk they are of harming themselves or others. The app also suggests solutions and connects users to professionals who can help.

Scope of the service The mobile application will be tested first in California for the following reasons.

Who it’s for The app is for people who are worried about the safety of their family members, students, and loved ones and want to prevent gun violence before it starts. Also it’s for people who are interested in participating in the EduGun program and want to help those who are in danger of gun violence.

2) According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco, California is a leader in adopting smart gun laws, and this has saved thousand of lives in California over the past twenty years. So the state could be a good starting point for implementing this new mobile application.

Value provided In order to prevent gun violence, the app provides detailed information on the symptoms of gun violence. The users can identify the status of their friends, students, or children and recognize if they are in danger of committing gun violence. By using the app, the users can help at-risk people quickly and effectively. This app also increases people’s awareness of the subtle signs and behaviors related to gun violence and that could lead to serious consequences. Also the app connects users to professionals, law enforcement, school officials, and mental health counselors as necessary.

How it does it By providing information on the warning signs of gun violence, the app helps users diagnose the status of their friends, students, and neighbors. The app content is based on the Know the Signs program created

by Sandy Hook Promise and on the information contained in Warning Signs: Preventing Gun Violence In Crisis Situations, produced by Smart Gun Laws. The app uses an easy self-diagnosing checklist and other user-friendly tools such as a Gun Violence Hotline to provide instant information and resources for a range of scenarios.

1) California has both rural and urban areas. Although about 80% of California’s population is in cities and urban areas, there are enough people in rural areas to allow testing for both.

3) Lastly, California is a center of innovation that is open to new technologies and services, with many new apps being developed here every year. Once the app is tested and succeeds in CA, its scope can be expanded to more states and finally the entire country.

137

138

EDUGUN

App name explorations Final app name: EduGun Detector Other options EduGun app Gun Violence Signs / GVS The Signs Signals Know Gun Violence Signs / KGVS SoS / See o… Signs SOS / Signs of S… The Hint Clues Identification Detector Signs of Gun Violence / SoGV / SOGV Gun Violence Identification / GVI Identify Gun Violence Signs / IGVS Gun Violence Signs Detector / GVSD Detector of Gun Violence / DOGV

MFA THESIS PROJECT

139

140

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Persona researches

1. Teachers: They want it because: •they want to identify the signs of gun violence to prevent mass shootings in their schools.

•they want to help their children.

Features for them: •Collects the information on symptoms of gun violence.

•Evaluates their students’ at-risk behavior.

•They can connect their students with professional help Why they will love it: When they believe their students have problems, they can suggest the solutions right away through the app. They don’t need to spend their time searching for information on the symptoms or how they should deal with the problems.

2. Parents They want it because: •they want to protect their children from gun violence.

•they can be advised by professionals, law enforcement, and counselors.

Features for them: •Information on gun violence signs.

•Access to professionals.

•Access to the EduGun program.

Why they will love it: The application helps parents to identify the signs of gun violence for their children or their neighbors. The information from the app is clearer and more reliable than from other sources. Also parents can be advised by professionals and learn about how they can protect their children from gun violence.

141

3. Teens They want it because: •they can protect themselves from gun violence.

•they can recognize who among their friends needs help.

Features for them: •Checklist of the significant warning signs of gun violence and search options •Ability to find advisors for specific problems Why they will love it: By using the app, teens can recognize who needs help among their friends. Once they find people who need help they can get advice on how they can help and connect those in need with mental health care professionals.

4. People who are close to teens: Family doctors, mentors and private/ after school activity tutors or coaches They want it because: •they can help their children avoid gun violence and provide appropriate help before it is too late.

•they can let the parents know who might need treatment or intervention.

Features for them: •Reliable information on the signs of gun violence •Hotline services to mental health care professionals Why they will love it: People who work closely with teens are sometimes more aware of warning signs of gun violence than the busy parents are. So they can report teens’ problems to the parents.

142

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

EduGun Detector persona Jacob Barnett A worried pre-parent Age: 38 Occupation: After-school mathematics tutor Status: Married, pre-father Location: San Francisco, CA Position on guns: Moderate

“I want to raise my son in a safer environment, and I’m interested in participating in programs which will help to create a safer community and living space.”

Motivations: Incentive / Fear / Achievement / Growth / Power / Social Goals: 1. To understand the signs and indicators of gun violence in teenagers.

2. To interact with other professors, teachers, and community members and to share experiences and perspectives.

3. To have access to real-time resources for emergency situations.

Frustrations 1. He can’t identify which emotional problems might lead to gun violence.

2. It’s hard to find reliable and apolitical advice on gun issues.

3. It’s difficult to find local resources and communities.

Bio He is a part-time mathematics lecturer at a university and on the side, he teaches middle and high school students because he loves working with teens and helping them to achieve their academic goals. Since the parents are often busy, he sometimes counsels the students on their personal issues and emotional difficulties.

Furthermore, he is going to be a father in 5 months. He is excited about this, but also has worries about the safety of his and other kids. Gun safety is one of his main concerns because currently, 1) the number of guns in California is rapidly increasing, and he lives in a county which has a high rate of homicide victims among its youth. So he’d like to do something to protect his child and his students.

1) Gun Violence Is Killing California’s Youth: Here Are the Facts You Should Know

143

144

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

EduGun Detector structure Since the app has heavy and complicated subject matter, I made four simple menus: Master detector, Other detectors, Gun Violence hotline, EduGun community. This is a full service app that diagnoses gun violence symptoms and provides solutions.

1. Master detector Users can find out how serious the gun violence symptoms are. When the users click the boxes next to the signs and then hit the Results button the app analyzes the results and suggests solutions.Â

Landing

Sign up

Home

2. Other detectors This menu deepens the search: for more information, the Other Detectors menu provides answers quickly. Users can select all five categories at the same time or explore separately. Like the master detecter the app shows results on the subject when the users finish the check lists.

3. Gun violence hotline On the menu, authorized professionals wait for users. Through the hotline menu, the users can connect with professionals in law, mental

Setting

Check the signs

Sign 1

I

Sign 2

Sign 3

Sign 4

Sign 5

Sign 6

Sign 7

Sign 8

Check the result

Result 1

145

health, law enforcement, and education and get answers (Or 911 in an emergency.) A button lets users know which of the professionals is available, and the users can text or call if necessary. Appointments can also be made through the app.

4. EduGun community Through the menu, the users can share their experiences, comment on gun violence, or leave a testimonial. Users can also create or join their own communities.

Gun violence hotline

More Information

Anger management

Chronicle social isolation

Result 2

Result 3

Threatening behavior

Mental health

Antisocial behavior

EduGun program

911

Share your experience

Regional advice

Law enforcement

School officials

Mental health professionals

146

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

147

148

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

149

Movie storyboard & design

A 1-minute movie promotes the EduGun Detector app The last deliverable is a promotional movie. This is a one minute animated movie which promotes the EduGun detector application. The movie explains several features of the app and helps people understand how we can diagnose the symptoms of gun violence through the app.

150

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

The first draft of the movie story telling The problem: Gun violence in the US is a serious and complex problem. The issue of gun ownership is hotly debated, but the problem of gun violence remains.

Gun violence is preventable: according to recent research, gun violence is preventable if the signs are identified early on. With insights from the Sandy Hook Promise program, our app allows users to detect these signs, and it provides solutions and real time advice.

Introducing EduGun: One way to diagnose gun violence signs The EduGun Detector helps diagnose early signs of gun violence and then address potential violence right away. Whether it’s an imminent threat or simply a case of anger management, the app always suggests a solution.

Feature 1:Use the Master detector first Answering the questions helps users determine how serious the symptoms are. Click the boxes next to the signs and then hit the Results button - the Detector automatically analyzes the results and suggests appropriate solutions.

Feature 2: Other detectors deepen the search When users want more information, the Other Detectors menu provides answers quickly. Users can select all five categories at the same time or explore them separately.

Feature 3: Authorized professionals waiting for you Through the EduGun hotline menu, users can connect with professionals in the fields of law, mental health, law enforcement, and education.

Or to 911 in an emergency. A button behind the professionals’ profile lets users text or call if necessary. Appointments can also be made through the app.

Feature 4: My saved detector My saved detector allows users to save results and track a subject’s changes. When the results show an imminent threat, the user can report to professionals anonymously or call the police and request a welfare check on the subject/s.

Feature 5: Share your experience and create/join communities Through the EduGun community menu, users can share their experiences, comment on gun violence, or leave a testimonial. Users can also create or join their own communities.

Fin: You can find out more at EduGunDetector.info To download the app, search for EduGunDetector at any app store.

The second draft of the movie story telling The problem: Gun ownership is a hotly debated topic in the US, but the problem of gun violence is undeniable.

Gun violence is preventable: according to recent research, gun violence is preventable if the signs are identified early on. With insights from the Sandy Hook Promise program, our app allows users to detect these signs, and it provides solutions.

Introducing EduGun: A full service app that diagnoses gun violence symptoms and provides solutions.

The EduGun Detector helps diagnose early signs of gun violence and then address potential violence right away. Whether it’s an imminent threat or simply a case of anger management, the app always suggests a solution.

Feature 1: Use the Master detector first Find out how serious the gun violence symptoms are. Click the boxes next to the signs and then hit the Results button - the Detector analyzes the results and suggests solutions.

Feature 2: Other detectors deepen the search For more information, the Other Detectors menu provides answers quickly. Select all five categories at the same time or explore separately.

Feature 3: Authorized professionals waiting for you Through the hotline menu, connect with professionals in law, mental health, law enforcement, and education and get answers. Or 911 in an emergency. A button lets users know which professionals are available.

The users can text or call if necessary. Appointments can also be made through the app.

Feature 4: My saved detector My saved detector saves results and tracks a subject’s changes. When an imminent threat is seen, the user can report it to professionals or call the police and request a welfare check on the subject/s.

Feature 5: Share your experience and create/join communities Through the community menu, users can share their experiences, comment on gun violence, or leave a testimonial. Users can also create or join their own communities.

Fin: Be part of the gun violence solution at EduGunDetector.info To download the app, search for EduGunDetector at any app store.

151

OTHER DETECTORS DEEPEN THE SEARCH

Detector

THE PROBLEM Gun violence is one of the most serious and complex problems in the US currently. However, while the two sides are debating the availability nd legality of guns in America, the problem of gun violence and its victims remains unsolved.

When users want more precise information or a deeper understanding, the Other Detectors menu provides answers quickly.

Users can select all five categories at the same time or explore them separately. These detectors also provide suggestions and possible solutions.

AUTHORIZED PROFESSIONALS WAITING FOR YOU Through the EduGun hotline menu, the users can connect with experienced professionals in the fields of law, mental health, law enforcement, and education. If the situation is urgent, the EduGun app connects immediately to 911.

A button behind the professionals' profile image shows their availability so users can immediately text or call if necessary. If the professional is unavailable, the users can reserve an appointment through the app.

GUN VIOLENCE IS PREVENTABLE According to recent research, gun violence is preventable as long as we can recognize the signs and symptoms of gun violence before it happens. Utilizing insights and information from the Sandy Hook Promise Organization's Know the Signs program, this app allows users to detect gun violence symptoms in others, and it provides solutions as well as real time advice from professionals.

INTRODUCING EDUGUN One way to diagnose gun violence signs The EduGun Detector enables users to diagnose gun violence signs in friends, relatives, students, neighbors, etc and then address potential violence right away. Regardless of whether the issue is an imminent threat or simply a case of anger management, the app always suggests an appropriate solution.

MY SAVED DETECTOR My saved detector allows users to save the results and track a subject’s changes as well as maintain other status updates. (Since this information is critical and should be not accessible to anyone besides the owner of the phone, this menu requires a password.)

When the results show signs of an imminent threat, the user can report to professionals anonymously or call the police and request a welfare check on the subject/s.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND CREATE/JOIN COMMUNITIES Through the EduGun community menu, users can share their experiences, comment on gun violence (in a non political manner), or leave a testimonial.

Users can also create or join communities through this section of the app, which encourages people to think about more ways to prevent gun violence.

USE THE MASTER DETECTOR FIRST Answering the nine main questions helps users determine how serious the symptoms might be.

When the user clicks the relevant boxes next to the signs and then hits the Results button, the EduGun Detector automatically analyzes the results and suggests appropriate solutions. It then shows how the users can take action, which professionals to contact, etc.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE AT EDUGUNDETECTOR.INFO TO DOWNLOAD THE APP, SEARCH FOR EDUGUNDETECTOR AT ANY APP STORE.

152

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

153

Chapter 05.Deliverables

Final results 1. Identity development 2. Visual systems changes 3. Website design 4. Booklet design & story telling 5. Poster design 6. Mobile application contents & design 7. Movie storyboard & design

1 2 3 4 5 6

All the deliverables are finalized. Using the integrated EduGun visual guideline system, I’ve completed the deliverables (the EduGun website, a promotional booklet, poster series, the EduGun Detector mobile application, and an animated movie).

154

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

EduGun aims to increase gun safety and reduce gun violence by using an apolitical approach.

155

EduGun visual guidelines

Brand introduction The EduGun project aims to promote a non-political gun education program to teachers, parents, and the public and to make it a nationwide program which will reduce gun crime and provide alternative solutions to gun violence.

These days the debate is getting more and more polarized, and unfortunately, there’s no apolitical gun safety education program in schools to counter it. A unified and effective nationwide gun education program without a strong political agenda would help to moderate the extreme debate and focus efforts on gun safety itself.

The EduGun project’s design solutions reflect the 18 insights derived from research and will help to achieve the project’s goal of increasing gun safety, protecting our family members and loved ones, and stopping gun violence before it happens.

The EduGun visual guidelines will help build and maintain this project’s visual consistency across all the deliverables.

156

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

Visual keywords Communication EduGun tries to find effective solutions to the gun issues through education and communication, between teachers and students and between parents and their children. EduGun also seeks a unifying alternative to the polarizing debate on this issue.

Connection The project proposes education as a path to gun safety, and EduGun also helps people connect with and care about each other.

communication & connection

157

EduGun logo The EduGun logo conceptually and visually represents the idea and principle of the brand. EduGun is trying not only to combine the ideas of education and gun-safety but also to unify the opposite factions on the gun issue and help them focus more on gun safety itself. So, the ‘plus’ symbol between the words shows that this program creates a connection between education and guns. Moreover, the lines around the word marks emphasize that EduGun ties education and gun safety together.

When the logo is used by itself, it should include the colors, but when it is used with photography or a colored background, the logo must be black or white, and the photography should be simple.

158

EDUGUN

EduGun color pallet

MFA THESIS PROJECT

The color pallet is very simple: EduGun orange, EduGun navy, EduGun white and EduGun black. Within the four colors you can use scales. Consistent color usage promises maximum brand recognition. The corporate color, the EduGun orange, is the foundation of the brand and should always be used properly to reinforce brand equity.

159

EduGun typography

One of the most unifying elements within the EduGun identity system is the consistent use of typography. There is one typeface that should be used to express the EduGun brand. To keep the brand simple, EduGun allows users to use one typeface (Franklin Gothic) but to avoid redundancy, we also allow the use of various weights of the font.

The title and subtitle font should be Franklin Gothic Demi size, and the body text should be Franklin Gothic regular size.

Additionally with the typography, we add a special visual treatment. All titles and subtitles (including small amounts of text) should be used with underlines, which represents student notes and also for emphasis.

FranklinGothic / Demi

EduGun

FranklinGothic / Regular

EduGun is an educational program that dedicates to increase gun safety reduce gun violence.

FranklinGothic / Regular

in the United States gun issue is threatening our daily life. While people are arguing about the existence of the guns the incidents and accidents are happening every day. In order to stop the gun death we encourage people to go beyond the debate and focus more on our safety it self.

160

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

EduGun photography style The photography treatment style has 3 features 1. Photos in black and white In general, photos are all based on mono tone; to emphasize the contents, the photography should not be distinctive.

2. Photos in duo tone + special treatment Photos which are emphasized can have b/w and orange duo tone color with a special treatment. As you can see in the example below, the photo is separated into 3 parts and by combining these three parts, the photos create a new image. This means that EduGun will connect the separated ideas of education and gun safety and also bring people together around gun safety.

3. Photos in vintage effect The third photography style is a vintage photo filter treatment. Some additional or small visual elements like guns, pencils, and targets etc are all given this vintage effect.

161

EduGun icons EduGun icons are a line dominant style and the shapes of the icons are simplified images. They should show the full images and shouldn’t be cropped. The background should be a circle. All the line weights should be the same.

162

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

163

164

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

165

166

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

167

168

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

169

170

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

171

172

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

173

174

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

175

176

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

177

178

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

179

180

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

181

182

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

183

184

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

185

186

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

187

188

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

189

190

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

191

192

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

193

194

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

195

196

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

197

198

EDUGUN

movie screens

MFA THESIS PROJECT

199

200

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

201

Chapter 06. Future possibilities

Conclusion & future 1. Conclusion 2. Future opportunities EduGun website opportunities Mobile application extension Social media utilization After the two year long study, I have the final results and am thinking about the process and its implementations. This chapter shows the conclusion of long journey as well as how can I expand this idea based on the EduGun project.

1 2

202

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

203

Conclusion When I started the project, I don’t think I fully understood that this is a very serious issue in the US. However during the research, I eventually understood how serious it is and how difficult it is to stay out of the gun debate.

However, I’ve tried to be very clear, logical, and most importantly, very simple when it comes to this topic. I think I’ve achieved my initial goal: to suggest a new form for the gun safety education program as a graphic designer. If I have some regrets, that is for the future possibilities.

204

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

205

Future possibilities EduGun website opportunities Now the website contains a 10 week program, but if it becomes popular and is adopted everywhere, the curriculum might be modified based on the users’ requests. I was trying to include all the general concepts around guns, gun violence, and gun safety, but there could be slightly different versions based on state and regional differences.

EduGun Detector mobile application extension Now the app is designed only for California because I wanted to keep it simple. Since this is just the start of the app creation. I wanted to focus as much as possible on the functionality, so if I made it for all the states I might need to add more menus. However, after publishing it to the world and seeing the users’ response, EduGun can make changes and implement the app in all the states in the US. Social media utilization EduGun has two accounts on social media: a Facebook page and an Instagram account.The Facebook page was created during the thesis project process, so I used it as an archive for other news, articles, and videos. However, in the future EduGun can use the page as a promotional platform. For example, the EduGun website has a blog so the website will share the blog articles to the Facebook page and more people can have an opportunity to connect to the website. Also, on the Instagram page I realized that when I post deliverables with hashtags like #guns or #gunsafety, nearly 10~20 people follow the page. So if I upload photos of news about EduGun regularly, the account could become a really big part of the promotional effort.

206

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT

207

Colophon School Academy or Art University School of graphic design and digital media San Francisco California Instructors Phil Hamlett Jeremy Stout Carolina De Bartolo Photography Sunjung Park Bindery & printing Blurb Contact Sunjung Park sunjungp.com choice.park0428@gmail.com +1 415 939 0682

208

EDUGUN

MFA THESIS PROJECT