Make it happen, use recklessly.

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

Debt is something that we are all surrounded with these days; it has come a long way from its beginnings however debt still means that you owe something to someone else. It’s a burden that most of us will carry throughout our life, be it financial, emotional, through favours or any other way. Despite there being many different forms of debt it is mostly seen as a financial word, to explain when you owe money to a bank or person/s. People are often not aware of what they may be getting themselves into when they take out a mortgage, loan or credit card.
The idea behind this project was to make people more aware of debt and what you are getting yourself into when you borrow money, especially from banks. The easiest way to obtain debt is via credit card, which is why this is the main focus. The project consists of two ‘credit cards’ and packaging that would be sent out to a new customer. There is a lot of double meaning and emphasis used throughout both the card and packaging design. The reason for this is that debt can be very confusing and it is often hard to find things that are hidden within contracts and terms and conditions. Starting with the card, it is for the ‘Commondebt’ bank, a play on word of one of the most recognisable banks, the Commonwealth bank. The reason for this is to attract attention and lead the consumer into a false sense of security, thinking that a company with such a reputation must be safe. The card is laid out like a standard credit card, however the card number, name and security code have been changed to imply extra meaning. The words “Free money isn’t real” can be made out in the card number section, this implies that you can’t just spend money you haven’t earned or don’t own yet. Although it is possible throughout loans, credit cards etc, you will always find yourself paying back more than what you have spent due to interest and bank fees. On the back of the card in the security number section the words ‘nice try’ have been used to reinforce that you can’t spend money you don’t have. The cardholders name is a reference to the metaphor of shooting an albatross (this is referenced again in the terms and conditions) and it being bad luck and a burden. The metaphor is related to debt via the debt you owe when you take the life of the albatross.
The packaging that the card is sent in allows space for two separate cards, this is again to highlight the effects of debt. The text of the packaging explains that there are two cards included, one to use as you please and the other to pay off the first card, creating a domino effect where the consumer falls deeper and deeper into debt. The wording and ‘facts’ have been exaggerated to show how banks use language to entice the consumer and make them fall into their trap. The back contains a small strip at the very bottom that has the terms and conditions of the card on it. The text is extremely small and only just readable to the naked human eye. Companies often display their terms and conditions in such small text so that we don’t bother to read them, which can mean we become trapped into a contract if we don’t read all of the text.
Overall this project was designed to make people more aware of financial debt and hopefully make them read over the details twice before singing up to anything that may result in debt.

What kind of communication approach do you use?

The communication approach used resulted in an end product that could be printed and letterbox dropped to households anywhere in the world. The work was designed to make people more aware of debt, in particular focusing on the financial side that is seen so commonly these days. The design was created to mimic that of a real bank, and then to explain in easy to read and exaggerated terms how debt is accumulated. The use of different elements that feel tangible and real creates more interest and gains more attention than a simple document would.

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

Society could benefit from this design as it will raise awareness of financial debt and also make people more aware of what exactly they are spending. If people didn't fall into the trap of debt so easily they may have more funds to spend in their local community, which would continue to benefit them and the people around them.

What did you personally learn from creating your submitted work?

I learnt a lot completing this work. Commercial design can often become dry and boring, but trying to create something that looked professional and would still grab attention pushed me to take my design further. I also learnt a lot about debt, and that although these days it is associated with finances, debt can be obtained in other ways from emotional to small favours and objects.
Whilst researching I found that banks often use persuasive writing to market their products and hide important details, not everybody knows to look further for more details and conditions before signing a contract, and the fact that corporations can get away with this is unfair.

Why is your work, GOOD communication WORK?

I believe that my work is a good piece of communication because it looks professional and is something easy to read. By doing letterbox drops the work is dispersed across a wide range of people. By using design that is already seemingly well recognized it will draw peoples attention and be read. The design is simple and easy to follow, yet also contains hidden messages for those willing to look into it further.

Where and how do you intent do implement your work?

My work is designed to be sent out to households around the country.

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?)