When choosing the medium for my project, I usually gravitate toward practical formats associated with advertising and visual communication in public spaces. However, for this specific project, I am still carefully weighing whether to pursue a strictly experimental approach or a more practical, promotional one. This decision is complex because both directions offer distinct, yet equally valuable, possibilities for communicating the chosen topic to a diverse audience.
If I opt for a promotional and awareness-based approach, the primary medium would be a comprehensive poster campaign. This would include both digital versions specifically tailored for social media platforms and printed materials designed for physical environments. In this case, strategic placement would be the most crucial factor for the campaign’s ultimate success. Printed posters would need to be strategically positioned in high-traffic locations frequently visited by the target audience, such as urban public spaces, educational institutions, and various cultural venues. Simultaneously, digital posters adapted for social media would play an even more significant role in achieving widespread visibility.
Social media materials are particularly vital because the primary target group for this project consists of Generation Z and Generation Alpha. These generations spend a substantial amount of their daily time online; for them, the digital landscape is not only their primary communication channel but also one of the key sources of the very problems this project addresses. Digital media allows for rapid distribution, high visibility, and direct interaction, making it an exceptionally powerful tool for raising social awareness. Additionally, digital content can easily transcend local geographical boundaries, allowing the campaign to reach audiences across all of Croatia or even internationally, depending on its aesthetic relevance and visual impact.
On the other hand, I am also considering a more experimental approach in the form of a specialized publication. This medium would serve as a dedicated space for deep visual exploration, where various graphic and conceptual strategies could be used to represent complex themes such as consumerism, financial instability, and the current state of financial literacy in Croatia. Through the use of experimental layouts, unconventional typography, abstract imagery, and complex data visualization, the publication could offer a much deeper and more reflective engagement with the topic. This medium would focus less on mass promotion and more on critical analysis and rigorous visual research. Such a resource would be particularly valuable for designers, marketing professionals, educators, or students working on similar social and economic issues.
A third compelling option would be to design a magazine that effectively combines both aforementioned approaches. This format could balance promotional communication with experimental design methods, depending on its internal structure and distribution strategy. A magazine allows for a much broader narrative, enabling both striking, immediate visual messages and more in-depth, long-form content. It could function simultaneously as a promotional tool and as a meticulously designed object that encourages long-term reflection and discussion, successfully bridging the gap between fast-paced awareness campaigns and experimental graphic design.
Each of these mediums carries its own set of financial and conceptual advantages. While digital and print posters are generally more accessible and effective for broad public communication, publications and magazines offer greater intellectual depth and creative freedom. My final decision will ultimately depend on the desired impact of the project and the specific balance between practicality and experimentation that best serves the core theme.
Disclaimer: AI used in the text