Exercise 2.1: Finding the Questions


1.In the space below, write the title of your tentative topic (e.g. Internet addiction)

"propaganda posters"


2.Briefly state why you chose this topic.

I am intersested in graphic design and the psychology behind the manipulation that is required to sway public opinion regarding war.

3. Spend about five minutes listing what you already know (if anything) about your topic. For example, are you aware of any interesting facts, common misconceptions, your own assumptions, important people or institutions involved, key schools of thought, the extent of the problem, current trends, etc.?

I have taken a class on the history of graphic design and we did briefly go over propaganda, so I already have a little understanding of the topic.

Lithography had a great influence on the imagery that was attainable by the graphic artist.

I hope to address the use of propaganda in our current conflicts overseas.

4. Now spend at least fifteen minutes brainstorming a list of questions about your topic you’d love to learn the answers to. Make this list as long as you can, and don’t worry whether every question is a good one.

•Time frame of acvancements in printing technology?

•Color shemes and their influence on the emotions of the viewer?

•How the first and second world wars differed from previous wars in that mass communication was not as readily available to governments?

•How strong imagery has the ability to transend illiteracy. And how this becomes a valuable tool in the race for public support of war.

•The extent of graphic imagery that was used, and then to analyse the ability of society to justify their means by the validity of the ends.

•Hitler's use of propaganda and his techniques. His history with psychology or socialogy before his rise to power.

5. If you’re working in a computer lab (or generating hard copies of the exercise), your instructor may ask you to comment on other students’ responses to Steps 1-4. Focus particularly on what your classmates did in the fourth step. For each you view, do two things: add a question you would like answered about the student’s topic, and mark the question you find most intriguing.