That'll Do Pig

Describe your idea and concept of your work in relation to the festival outlines:

My idea is to respond to the butchering process and cut consumption of pork in relation to five countries around the world, specifically the usage of the pig, presented in the form and style of a vintage butcher poster.
I got this idea subconsciously while I was travelling through Europe between Dec-Feb, as I noticed how differently the Europeans present their meat in shops and how many different recipes and kinds of meat are available.
When I received the Memefest brief I knew I wanted to do a cross-cultural comparison of meat. My project relates to Food Democracy by responding to the differing percentage consumptions of pork in five different countries, and encourages viewers to consider how they view and eat their pork when comparing it to the other countries. It aims to change the behaviour and attitude of how (particular westerners) much we consume of the animal.

My uni hand in work was a black print on textured paper in natural coloured tones. These have been photographed and submitted as images.
I have also submitted digital pdf files which are brightly coloured. Both poster series are the same in message and design, just simply different coloured versions to show versatility.

What kind of communication approach do you use?

I used the form of visual communication, specifically poster design, incorporating illustration and typographic detailing, to approach my design. I first thought of my idea and then proceeded to brainstorm different ways of how I could express it. A poster series seemed most appropriate as it is visually engaging but can allow for information to be communicated quickly. A successful informative poster balances between being visually engaging yet informative and I believe I have succeeded in achieving that.

What are in your opinion concrete benefits to the society because of your communication?

My poster series communicates informative data of a contemporary issue. This issue, however, is not often considered, but is nonetheless an important one. It directly relates to rising pork demand but also wastage of the animal. I personally believe that if we are to use an animal for food, that animal should be used entirely. Some countries do this, others do not. I raise the question as to why we (predominately westerners) do not?

What did you personally learn from creating your submitted work?

I learnt more about the differing cultural views people hold of a common meat. Pork is eaten globally, rising in popularity and consumption, and yet, specially the western countries, have an aversion to eating unfamiliar cuts which are consumed with no hesitation in other parts of the world. As I said earlier, I had been thinking about this issue months before while I was travelling Europe. This topic directly relates to my personal experiences and I am glad I got the opportunity to dig deeper into this issue.

Why is your work, GOOD communication WORK?

My work is successful in informing the audience of pork consumption through simple yet engaging design, graphic illustration and to-the-point descriptions. I have taken the familiar butcher poster and updated and re-designed it to address a common and global issue of meat wastage and cut aversion.
A successful informative poster balances between being visually engaging yet informative and I believe I have succeeded in achieving that.

Where and how do you intent do implement your work?

As a poster series, my work may be implemented in many different places and scenarios. As a butcher/pork poster, it may be used in a butchery or supermarket, as an informative poster on meat consumption, it may be used in many different ways, such as on bus stops, magazines and newspapers, billboards etc.

Did your intervention had an effect on other Media. If yes, describe the effect? (Has other media reported on it- how? Were you able to change other media with your work- how?)

No