Who’s in Your Audience?
about
Ensuring that art and design communications are inclusive, compassionate and contributing to a better world for us all.
Art is powerful language without borders. This workshop is about learning to control and use that power to benefit us all. Discover why it’s important to consider fully who is in your audience if you want your creativity to have maximum impact commercially and socially. Insensitive communications can damage brands, careers and attitudes. As the world challenges old norms, artists and designers are perfectly poised to lead positive change or cement problematic thinking that harms our societies. This workshop is about becoming part of the solution.
After attending this workshop, participants will:
- Understand their power to effect change
- Gain insight into the challenges faced by some of their classmates/colleagues
- Reflect on personal reactions to discrimination and social inequality
- Explore the concepts of inclusivity and compassion
- Learn examples of best and worst practice in their field
- Discuss how to implement more inclusive practices in their daily interactions
- Agree standards of inclusivity in their department/team/class
- Collaborate on an art or design piece that communicates these Standards of Inclusivity
- Leave feeling ready to change the world!
attendees
Any artist, designer or manager/teacher of artists and designers who is keen to be more socially responsible with their creativity.
Maximum 30 participants, more with additional support staff.
duration
3-5 hrs, as defined by client
a little extra
I was so passionate about this topic that I was ready to brow beat some UAL Foundation students with it when I had the chance to run it with them. It was their lecturer (the wonderful Noel Bramley) who suggested I keep all my content but angle it more towards understanding their audience. The workshop has been evolved significantly since it was first run for her Design Communication students in 2019, but I like to thank those who give me invaluable feedback that helps to improve the experience for everyone!
feedback from participants
*Please note that not all participants speak English as their first language. These comments were taken from participants’ response via online feedback questionnaire.
“I learned the importance of inclusivity in visual communication, and how it not only has an impact on the audience, but also has an effect on me as a designer.”
“How powerful the human mind can be and what we can do with the power to communicate and show others a different perspective”
“Everything has a message even if it’s not intended and therefore it’s my job to get across the right messages”
“Think deeper”
“I usually include meanings in my work but I never know that it can have such a big impact on others.”
“I learned the definition of compassion and how it differentiate from other words like empathy.”
“Inclusivity is using compassion to embrace people around you.”
“I want to be a designer that makes others feel good!”
“Reminded me that my work will always communicate something and that I have to be aware of that”