This week I take a closer look at how graphic design can address some of the factors limiting the installation of renewable in the Isle of Man.
My line of questioning leads me to define a graphic design specific problem in terms of (a) a need to help people reduce their energy use and (b) to connect people with support. On the back of this definition, I revisit my research questions to probe for solutions.
STUDIO REVIEW
Figure 1: Moving Brands. 2022. Human Progress. [motion graphics advertisement]
This week I take a look at the work of Moving Brands.
Moving Brands have a lot of big name clients including the likes of Adobe, Netflix, HP, and the BBC. Like Tracks & Layers (see last week's review) this studio shows where big money is being spent on motion graphics. However, their work at times moves towards being generative and a little more experimental.
This shows me that big spenders are willing to take risks on new ideas . . . if those ideas don't push things too far. The studio also demonstrates how motion graphics can be beautifully rendered and expertly executed.
PROJECT PROPOSAL DOCUMENT
MA Project Brief
IS THERE SCOPE FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN RELATION TO THE LIMITING FACTOR OF COST OF RENEWABLES IN THE ISLE OF MAN?
With extensive research around costs as a barrier done, I return to the question of whether this barrier forms the foundations of a good graphic design project. Ultimately, I want to review my reasons for not pursuing a project in this area to make sure that they are valid.
Overall, my research revealed that a project aimed at overcoming costs of renewables would lack sufficient scope to be of use. I believed the grants and schemes that already existed had covered the ground well, and that people would be more likely to seek out and share those resources beyond any supplementary resources I would provide.
For this reason, I decided to take a step back and investigate the potential for an educational project.
IS THERE A NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT ENERGY USE, SUPPORT, AND RENEWABLE MITIGATION OF COSTS?
A key area for address in the realms of fuel poverty is energy efficient behaviour, and a major issue listed as a barrier to the adoption of renewables is education around financial benefits derived from their use (this is linked to cost insofar as money spent on installation can be recovered over a period of time due to savings on bills).
I was interested in how informed people in the Isle of Man were in terms of (a) energy efficient behaviour and (b) the potential for renewables to further lower bills. There was potential for a graphics based education project to change behaviours and inform people at the same time.
KNOWLEDGE MAY BE LIMITED REGARDING REDUCTION OF ENERGY USE AND SUPPORT
There were some early indicators that people in the Isle of Man (and further afield) may not be as aware of energy efficient behaviour and the financial benefits of renewables as they could be. This presented a potential problem that graphic design could help solve. Both energy efficient behaviour and the cost lowering potential of renewables point to a need to reduce energy use. For this reason, I defined the problem to be solved in line with this.
The research questions I derived from this definition were:
(1) What can graphic design do to educate people to about their energy consumption behaviour?
and
(2) What can graphic design do to connect people with available support?
and
(3) What can graphic design do to educate people the bill reducing potential of renewable energy sources?
Taking these questions further would require a review of existing resources aimed at the same problem.