Note: You will only be able to install CUNY-licensed Adobe Creative Cloud applications using your CUNY Login Credentials—do not use Google, Facebook or Apple credentials.
Designing for Impact: Creating a Social Issue Awareness Poster
Posters have long been a powerful tool for social change, used to educate, inspire, and provoke action. Whether addressing climate change, mental health awareness, or equality, graphic designers play a crucial role in shaping public discourse through visual communication.
Let us explore how to create an impactful social issue awareness poster, drawing inspiration from historical design movements and modern examples.
The Power of Posters in Social Movements
From wartime propaganda to contemporary activism, posters have been central to mobilizing change. Some of the most influential social posters include:
• Black/White: Stark contrast for powerful, minimal designs
3. Digital Draft: Bringing It to Life
Use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, (or draw by hand, useProcreate, sketchbook or adobe fresco) to create a digital draft. Test different compositions, focusing on:
Visual Hierarchy: The most important element should grab attention first.
Alignment & Spacing: Avoid clutter—let your design breathe.
Contrast & Readability: Ensure text is legible from a distance.
4. Feedback & Refinement: Test Your Design
Before finalizing,
Ask:
• Does the message come across clearly?
• Is the color scheme effective?
• Does the typography enhance or distract from the message?
Once refined, export your poster from Adobe Illustrator as a high-resolution (300 DPI) PDF with proper CMYK color settings for print. I will also show you how to export a .JPG file.
Mockups Matter!
Present your work using real-world mockups (e.g., posters on a subway wall, billboards, or community boards) to show its impact.
Your social issue awareness poster has the potential to make an impact beyond the classroom. Whether exhibited in a gallery, shared on social media, or printed for protests, design can drive change.