An Animation

According to my survey results, the vast majority of people feel that a TV advert of some description would be the best way to communicate the topic of depression.

As it can be a very sore subject to talk about and approach, I think a friendly, simple way of displaying relevant information would have the best effect. The TV adverts I make are going to be animations, the characters are presented above. The reason behind the animations, are to make the topic more approachable to talk about, and make them differ from the common adverts using real people today. 

Depression is a very personal illness as it varies from person to person, and can effect each and every one of us for any reason at any time. It is for this reason in particular that I am against using real people trying to act a feeling/emotion which could completely mis-interpret and mis-communicate the problem. By using simple animations, the style will stand out in the hope that people will take interest. From here the message can be slowly introduced - but also gives the audience an option whether to take notice or not. The animations will tell a story, but only enough to introduce the problem. 

The animation will then direct the audience to a website where they can find relevant information about what to do and how. This website will direct to a page with links to sites such as NHS. 

My characters and symbols shown previously will form the basis of my project in order to communicate this issue appropriately.

Building on my Symbol Designs

© Megan Corkhill
Following on from my symbols regarding the types of depression, I have built up a table to explore how I can simplify the whole topic. The pink box containing a filled triangle is my symbol for 'Depression', I have specifically chosen a triangle because of the down feelings involved in this illness (hence the reason that the triangle is pointing downwards). The orange boxes represent the different causes of depression, blue shows the types (also shown earlier in this blog), green representing the physical symptoms, yellow for the psychological and purple showing the different treatments.
This symbol system will form the basis of my project in order to communicate my chosen topic to my target audience.

Adapted Symbols: Depression = Triangle

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Upgraded from the previous designs, these follow the rule that Depression = Triangle. The shades of grey depend on the severity; mild, moderate and severe as seen on the key.

Upgraded Symbols

Exactly the same symbols as before, but to make them look like more of a set, I have rounded the corners. They also look more friendly and approachable which enhances the designs, especially in this topic area.

Converting Types of Depression into Symbols

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Depression comes in many different forms, and sometimes can be difficult distinguishing the difference. Each type can be put into a category of mild, moderate and severe (symbols shown at the top of the page). The remaining listed symbols demonstrate the various types. I have tried to illustrate each type in the simplest way that still shows understanding.

My colour palette has remained limited in order to help demonstrate the representation of depression. 

Experimental Work

Some typographical experiments using the word 'depression' in one typeface of various sizes. The opacities have been changed according to the size of the word. The positioning and layering was then experimental in order to produce these outcomes.

I feel the most successful experiment is the last circular one. This represents the 'black hole' depressed people find themselves in. As a starting point, I think this can work as a piece of artwork alone, but also demonstrates how depression may feel.

The following experiment uses the black hole effect, in different colours to see how they display a different perception.

I think these look quite pretty and artistic - however this is the opposite of depression. Could it represent depression in a different light? (Thoughts about this needed).

The next experiment follows the same pattern as the first couple, using the colour palette from my previous survey results - also demonstrating earlier in my EMP blog.

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Survey Results: Colour Association with Depression and Happiness

My first response to a colour abstraction exercise. In my second survey I conducted, I asked about colour associations between depression and happiness. The image above shows the results from the 82 people I have collected from so far. The larger blocked colours represent the most popular answers, the thinner blocks representing the least popular answers. Where some people generalised with answers I used initiative to create a small colour palette within this experiment.
As this is my first response, I would like to experiment with other ways to demonstrate this information in order to display it more effectively. However, from this experiment I can get a better understanding of what colours to steer clear of and what colours would help boost my future designs.