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    Call to Action: End Gun Violence

    Add your voice to the “End Gun Violence” poster campaign

    The escalation of gun violence in our communities was evidenced most recently in the tragedy at the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012. While such events receive intense media coverage in the immediate aftermath, this disturbing trend typically slips from the attention of both the public and policy makers—until another horrific event occurs.

    We are not powerless. If the full strength of our profession’s creativity can be harnessed to clarify and give form to this subject, we may be able to command the attention of the public and to help effect a solution. As a community of designers, through AIGA, we can amplify our voices. 

    AIGA encourages you to participate in a campaign for change by submitting a nonpartisan public-awareness poster to the “End Gun Violence” project.  

    The purpose here is to take action, rather than remain passive observers. We call upon our fellow members to participate in a nonpartisan effort focused on this critical social issue. As a profession, we have a responsibility to address the things that matter. We have the ability to do real and lasting good.

    Like the “Get Out the Vote” campaigns, the primary vehicle will be an open, online collection of members’ designs bearing the AIGA campaign identity, where visitors can download a PDF version to print and post, or an image to share on social media.

    There is no single message—the power of the “End Gun Violence” campaign will be in the collection of our voices. Visuals and text must be nonpartisan, supporting the simple premise that gun violence is detrimental to the life of our communities. Any AIGA member will be entitled to post designs in the gallery.

    AIGA encourages members to seize the initiative in activating our community on issues that matter in a constructive, nonpartisan and persuasive manner. These efforts reinforce the power of the design community and the relevance of their creative talents.

    To participate, download the design brief to create your poster and return here to submit your entry.

    Sincerely,

    Richard Grefé                        John Clark
    Executive director, AIGA       AIGA member, AIGA Los Angeles

     

    The eight most recent submissions are shown below—visit endgunviolence.aiga.org to see the full collection. 

    Recommend 11 people have recommended this
    • Stop the Carnage
      Los Angeles

       Does a real hunter need a 30 round magazine to go deer hunting?

    • Guns In the Wrong Hands
      New York, Upstate

      Guns, per se, aren't the problem - hundreds of millions of guns are owned by responsible Americans. Guns getting into the wrong hands of the relative minority of people who shouldn't be allowed to handle guns is the problem.

      Statistics (easily found on the web) show that background checks work, have prevented the sales of guns to hundreds of thousands of those with criminal or certain psychiatric histories who attempted to purchase firearms. Currently, however, background checks do not extend to gun shows or private sales, including over the internet.

      In April, 2013, under pressure from the gun manufacturers-backed NRA, Congress rejected the Manchin-Toomey bill that calls for universal background checks, despite the support of 90% of Americans!

      We must continue to pressure members of Congress to support the bill.

    • Interrupted
      Los Angeles

      April 9th 2013

      A 6-year-old New Jersey boy died after being shot in the head by a 4-year-old playmate as their parents stood in the yard nearby. The .22-caliber rifle interrupted this 6 year old's life. A tragedy that shouldn't have occured. Help end gun violence.

    • This is not a game
      New York, Upstate

       A childhood game we can all relate to depicting a different message.

    • Pointed at You
      Vermont

       What if the gun was pointed at you? It is time to stop the madness and the time is now!

    • Nothing is Black and White
      Kansas City

      While creating this poster I was thinking about how there isn't a definite answer to fixing gun violence, and how the situation has an ambiguity to it. The only thing I know for sure is the value of life is priceless and no one deserves for his or her life to end in an act of gun violence. These thoughts lead me to the Rorschach test and how ambiguous inkblots turn into to imagery based on individual learning and perception of the world. I decided to pursue the idea because it can also lead viewers to think about the psychological effects of gun violence.

    • Just A Toy?
      Kansas City

      It's interesting to think that something as innocent as a water gun originates from something that is actually very violent. This poster was in no way created for parents to prevent their children from playing with water guns, but simply to bring awareness to what is seen in our society every day. Think about it. Is this just a toy?

       

       

       

       

    • The Innocent
      New York, Upstate

      Children are killed everyday by gun related accidents/incidents. Some of them don't have a voice...let's give them one. End gun violence.

       

    Recommend 11 people have recommended this