Tow #11 Visual Texts

“No More Landmines" by Columbian designer Viktor Manuel Barrera captures the eyes and hearts of many as his visual text shows the long-term effects on victims of landmines through pathos and allusions. Viktor’s design, one of one-hundred-twenty-two other designs on Graphic Advocacy Posters exhibition, depicts the cruel some effects of war and explains the purpose, “I wanted to highlight a problem that lingers long after countries have been at war. Planted like seeds of death and mutilation, landmines are indiscriminate, making victims of soldiers and civilians, children and adults. Most people who activate these mines will die, and those who survive often require amputations, leaving an imprint of indelible pain in their minds and bodies.” This poster is a result of the wars that America was involved in between the years of 2001 - 2012. In the design, whether an illusion or not, it seems as though there is a hand with missing parts of the finger. Viktor uses this allusion to draw attention to amputees. Yes, many people are affected physically by wars, but why does drawing a leg onto a finger add any significance? What if veterans who have lost limbs tell you that it’s not just a physical pain, but an emotional and mental pain? Not being able to run as fast, kick a soccer ball with as much force, it changes lives for everyone. For some families it doesn’t affect tremendously, others it’s a hard struggle to deal with on a daily basis. If only drawing a leg in the place of where a human limb used to be was that easy to help them. Veterans are still in wheelchairs, innocent civilians are affected by this too. Often happening in people’s backyards, it’s something that now prevents children from going outside and playing without a fear of dying. This design created pathos and an allusion that addressed victims of war. Viktor has truly and successfully captured the eyes and hearts of many through his design as it was put into the Top 10 Effective Designs in Graphic Advocacy Posters.

Url: http://graphicadvocacyposters.org/posters/