Research - The Berkeley Political Protest Workshop

• Began in May 1970.
• Produced hundreds of silkscreen designs.
• Mostly protesting against the escalation of the Vietnam War.
• Encouraged by the Kent State and Jackson State shootings (students were shot by police for protesting).
• Printed on recycled computer paper and materials found in bins.
• Also created posters relating to issues more closely to America such as the assassinations of Martin Luther King and JFK.
• Multiple protest groups were being created around the world at this time.  

I found these designs when searching 'old protest posters' because I had seen the French 1968 designs a million times and wanted to find some new content to research.

The use of one colour in these prints suggests how fast they were produced. The main element of the designs is the idea behind it. Most of them are quite dark with large, clear imagery making it easy to see from a distance.

This design caught my interest because of the relationship between the image and the text with them both fitting into curved rectangular shapes.

I love the sarcastic tone behind it. A nice insult to the people of America who supported the Vietnam War.

This design is too good. I hope whoever produced it kissed the pig's ass whilst wearing lipstick.

The tone of voice in this piece is lighthearted but when it is put into context with the protests the dark undertone of the message is revealed.

I want to achieve this with my poster for the Illustrated Self Brief. I'm just not sure how to visualise my ethical personality.

The idea of using whatever materials that they could find is also a massive inspiration for my future work when it comes to being more experimental.

The use of repetition is the main focus of this design. It has clearly been made quickly but the rule of thirds has been considered making the shouting face central. Too good.

Minimal line work has been used to draw the character's faces, making them barely representational. The relationship between the text and imagery makes it clear to the viewer that these are faces of the silent (most likely scared/stupid characters).

The speaking face almost represents the sun, making them seem almost like the protagonist of the poster.

The tone of voice isn't quite as dark as some of the other designs as it only slightly mocks the people who stay silent making the people who speak out heroes.