Working with a small group of designers known as the DDG, we decided to try to do what they could to help in some way. Inspired by the iconic Works Projects Administration posters of the 1930s and 1940s, they elected to do a series of public service posters that encouraged safe practices such as mask wearing and social distancing, as well as showing respect and care for others. Collectively, they help chronicle one of the most difficult years in human history and are the substance of the book.
The design of each poster involved a significant amount of craftsmanship, which included extensive use of hand-lettered headlines and custom illustrations. These posters are characterized by vibrant imagery and bold colors, deliberately chosen to captivate the viewer's attention and pique their interest.
These screen-printed posters were produced by a specialized printer, End Hymns. Beyond social media promotion on platforms like Facebook and Pinterest, we created a series of Out of Home boards strategically placed in and around Detroit.
The posters were made available for purchase through Instagram and other social media channels, resulting in the sale of over 1,000 posters. These sales helped offset the printing and production costs and allowed us to make a significant donation to Detroit Forgotten Harvest, assisting families in need.
To commemorate the entire program, we designed The 2020 Pandemic Poster Book, featuring a corrugated cardboard book cover with the posters bound inside. Each poster is accompanied by a quote or news article from reputable sources like the New York Times, providing context for the themes of the posters.
