Seminar week 8: Propaganda
Contextual portfolio task: 500 word advertisement review
The propaganda posters
Propaganda means a form of communication which aims to
influence, convince and change audience’s attitudes. Wartime posters are one of
the most recognizable examples of propaganda, in the First and Second World
Wars propaganda was used to recruit soldiers in joining the army. These posters
were mentioned many times in my lecture, therefore I wanted to take do further
research.
Alfred Leete
Alfred Ambrose Chew Leete was a British graphic artist born
on August 28th, 1882 at Thorpe Achurch, Northamtonshire. His skills
as an illustrator were developing while he was producing work for Bristol
Magpie magazine. In 1899 he moved to London
after he finished studying at Kingsholme
School
Briton wants you, 1917.
Leete became a commercial artist, he designed various
advertisements and posters and his well known works were the series for
advertisements he designed for the Underground Electrical Railways Company. Having
saying that, it was the poster he designed as a wartime propagandist that were
known above all. This poster was designed in year 1917 and you could say it was
the First World War recruiting poster; the title was in capital letters saying
‘BRITONS wants YOU’, ‘Join your country’s army! God Save the king’, features
Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State of War. Lord Kitchener is dramatically
pointing his finger, which would be directing to the men who came across the
poster, as if he was personally asking them to join the army. This makes it
feel as if the Secretary of State of War is relying on you and that it is also
your responsibility now as part of citizen living in Britain .
This poster was so influential and inspiring, not only did
it successfully help recruit more soldiers, it was also inspired other artists’
to create posters in that similar style. One of the artists who were inspired
by the poster design was an American artist called James Montgomery Flagg, he
did a very similar copy in 1917. ‘I want you for U.S. Army nearest recruiting
station’ he featured Uncle Sam in his poster. J. M. Flagg modified his own face
for Uncle Sam’s face. He is wearing a white hat with white stars and blue
background, a blue coat with a red tie, the colour of Uncle Sam’s attire relate
to American flag. U.S. is Uncle Sam initials; Uncle
Sam is an American legend that came into use during the War of 1812.
I want you for U.S. Army, by James Flagg
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Leete
