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Students designed billboards to encourage voting as part of the graphic design program. Allie Clouse • The Daily Beacon
UT students light up the sky with political billboard Allie Clouse
Contributor UT students are encouraging their peers to vote as Rob Heller, professor in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media in UT’s College of Communication and Information, and his media graphics students design posters during Presidential elections. Four years ago, students first designed posters that were placed around campus to encourage political participation. This year, however, Heller wanted to take it to the next level. Students were assigned early in the semester to create non-partisan advertisements encouraging others to vote. McKenzie Sherman, junior in journalism and electronic media, described the importance that
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this assignment held specifically this year. “We’re at a pivotal time in our country, and you’ve got to vote,” Sherman said. “It’s your duty … It’s your right.” These projects have strict guidelines to ensure that the messages were effective and creative. Heller asked his students to use three words (one of which had to include some form of the word vote) in black in combination with one other color and only typography. Sherman talked about how these restrictions helped her form her idea and design a graphic for this project. “You can see a part of someone’s personality by what they create, and I believe that was a fun part of the project,” Sherman said. Despite these limited parameters, the students’ work successfully showcased their talent. In an attempt to expand this assignment, Heller
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called Lamar Advertising for local billboard placements. This put more pressure on the students to create designs that could be easily read while in motion. The national advertising company contributed several print and digital billboard spaces across Knoxville so pieces made by UT students could be displayed throughout the community and reach a broader audience. The signs were deemed a success, and Lamar Advertising publicized them to other regional offices. UT’s students’ work can now be seen in Phoenix, Arizona, with other potential cities willing to pick up the designs. Heller’s media graphics class and UT’s communication program look to gain positive momentum from this. See BILLBOARDS on Page 3
Tuesday, November 8, 2016