Poster: We All Need Room to be Human

For this year’s annual Good Apple Awards, the poster I designed is focused on prison reform. The design takes on the issue of overcrowding and the efficiency of treating people like they aren’t human.

Starting in 1619, slave ships crammed people into perfect configurations. Now it’s being done with cell blocks. A pattern of people with their hands up, outstretched, ready for inspection upon entry into prison. Is anyone able to let their guard down ever again?

For this issue, our list of demands:

  • reduce severe overcrowding

  • stop warehousing people

  • fewer people in prison

  • intentionally help people exit incarceration

Good Apple Awards
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Livestock Exchange Building Ballroom
Omaha, NE

I find perfect geometric patterns quite beautiful. And the maximized use of space comforting. But in this case, both the pattern and use of space represents a cold, calculated brutality.

It might seem logical to just say we should build more prisons. That misses the point entirely. Inspired by the Central Park 5, the New York Times 1619 Project, and Ramsay Bolton.

Stand Up For Justice: The Book

Graphic design from the annual poster show organized by Justin Kemerling & Nic Swiercek

I’m very excited to share the culmination of a 6 year project. My time as organizer on the design side of the Nebraska Appleseed poster show now exists in book form:

From 2011 to 2016, Nebraska Appleseed hosted a social justice poster show. 62 posters in all, the designs are powerful tools for advocating for equal justice and opportunity for all. As a collection, the posters represent a hopeful view of what we can all do when we work together.

In 2011, when Nic Swiercek approached me about using poster design to help raise money for his nonprofit, I was certainly into the idea. Now looking back on six years of design work, spread over 148 pages, the end result is better than what we were hoping for at the outset.

As a project, it has allowed designers in the community to use their powers for the forces of good. Unveiled every year at Appleseed’s Good Apple Awards, it excited supporters as well as nonprofit leaders. It visually told the story of this organization and helped them raise money to support their very important work. And as a small-scale project, as an example of graphic design at its best, it can be replicated for years to come. Not only at Nebraska Appleseed, but with any nonprofit in the country who is into the idea.  

The poster show continues on, now organized by Colleen Syron. The designs this year were stellar and can be purchased online, including all past years, if still in stock.

We did try to get the book legitimately published with the help of Kendra Galante of Ervin & Smith. But alas, no luck. It’s available on Blurb with a hefty price tag. (Some of these discounts help a bit.)

Many, many thanks to all the designers who have donated their time and talent over the years. Their contributions make this book something very special.

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Poster: Love v. Fear

How you choose to see the world takes effort. It takes hard work. It takes commitment. There’s a battle going on between two epic forces constantly at odds. Who wins ultimately comes down to a choice. Do you choose to see the world with fear? Or do you choose to see the world with love? 

Included in a collection of posters released at the 2017 Good Apple Awards hosted by Nebraska Appleseed. This year’s theme for the 7th annual poster show, Root Down, Rise Up acknowledges the confusion, frustration, and hopelessness many Nebraskans face while alluding to the strength within local grassroots organizations. In the long fight for justice and opportunity, we must all rise up, again and again. Curated by Colleen Syron.

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Still Standing

With 5 years worth of posters, the complete Appleseed Poster Show was on exhibition last week in South Omaha at the Bancroft Street Market put on by AIGA Nebraska. 54 posters by Nebraska designers for Nebraska Appleseed, a non-profit, nonpartisan public interest law firm that works for equal justice and full opportunity for all Nebraskans.

The prints, hand-pulled by Screen Ink in Lincoln, have been used to help tell the story of Appleseed and the people the organization helps. As well as to inspire others to stand up for justice in their own communities.

They’re a reminder that it only takes one person. One person is all that’s needed to write a letter, to call a Senator, to march for opportunity, to rally for equality. One person is all that’s needed to say no to discrimination, oppression, and indifference. To stand up for justice, it only takes one person. 

This year is Appleseed’s 20th anniversary. Looking ahead to the 6th year of posters, we want to make sure this one is extra special. We’re in early planning stages so if you’d like to lend your time and talent to the cause, hit me up.

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Actions Speak Louder

The 5th annual poster show for Nebraska Appleseed is ready to go. The posters, 10 in all, will be unveiled at The Good Apple Awards on October 22nd. The theme, probably one of my favorites, is “Actions Speak Louder.” Each poster is designed around a specific area of focus in Appleseed’s day-to-day work. Health coverage for everyone, quality jobs that pay living wages, and new immigration laws that keep families together are just a few. Excellent designs from some truly wonderful Nebraska designers, it’s sure to be quite a show. 

The Appleseed Poster Show: A Recap

The posters themselves are powerful tools for advocating for equal justice and opportunity for all. Some designs are very broad and inspirational. Others focus on one important issue and shed new light on it. As a collection, the posters represent a hopeful view of what we can all do when we work together. The designers who have participated lend their time and talent to the cause and show just how much great design lives out here on the Great Plains.

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