WEEK 8 : HOPE POSTER BY BARACK OBAMA

 

Hope by Barack Obama

The Barack Obama “Hope” poster was represented during Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. It’s a simplified stencil image of Obama in solid red, beige, and a combination of light and dark blue, with the word “HOPE” underneath. It also means “change” and “progress” in other versions. A former freelance photographer took the design of Barack Obama’s face. With the approval of Obama’s campaign, it was spread in both digital and paraphernalia. By July 2008, the vinyl had printed over 200,000 “Hope” stickers.

The meaning behind this poster evolves from time to time. In 2008, the poster signifies people’s expectations of Obama to bring hope to people. However, those who are dissatisfied with his performance may now interpret the poster as a mockery.

This poster was made because Shepard Fairey, who created political street art critical of the US government, and George W. Bush decided to create a portrait of Obama based on their feelings after getting permission from the Obama campaign. Fairey felt that Obama’s power and sincerity as a speaker would create a positive relationship with his likeness. Fairey used the image of Obama that was shot by freelancer Mannie Garcia for the Associated Press and turned it into a poster design in a day.

According to the designer, the poster was also inspired by social realism. Steven Haller saw it as part of a continuing tradition of modern artists getting inspiration from political candidates and creating ‘posters that break the standard not just in terms of color and composition, but also in message and tone.’ The image of Abraham Lincoln on the US five-dollar bill was what inspired Fairey to create this poster.

During the 2008 campaign. Fairey began to distribute the posters in public. Fairey spent the funds to produce more posters after he made 4000 more after the initial printing. It was distributed at Obama demonstrations before Super Tuesday. The poster immediately became popular, spreading all over social media and word of mouth after he made a downloadable digital version available on his website.

Fairey and Sergant claimed to have printed 300,000 posters by October 2008. Furthermore, Apparel and other goods with the picture are offered on Fairey’s website. According to Fairey and Sergant, the money they earned from the sales was used to produce more posters, stickers, and other goods in promotion of Obama’s campaign rather than direct profit for Fairey.

In my opinion, those who already got elected as the president should fulfill the promise they made to the people who voted and didn’t vote for them. So it is fair and square.