Project completed at SCAD-Atlanta in 2008
The primary project for the M.F.A. thesis Corporate Branding Techniques and Principles of Neutrality in the 2008 United States Presidential Election was based on the question “how do you give voters issue information without the candidates’ personalities becoming influential?” The solution was to list the position statements for all the candidates in a neutral manner, in one document. This would allow voters to find out which candidate they are most in line with by completely removing the candidates’ names and personalities from the equation.
The creation of the Issue Primer involved both information and publication design. Twelve pertinent issues and the candidates’ positions were selected, edited and randomized. They were then placed in a grid system that allows for high legibility and neutrality. The names of the candidates were removed, as were any references to specific legislation that would identify the candidate involved. Users read the Primer, marking off their choices on the Issue Card, a detachable element which also contains the key to decode the information. Upon completion, users find the candidate with which they are most in line. Each issue primer contained several Issue Cards so that the primer could be used by several people.