A protest sign is a flat surface with text or images held or displayed by activists in a demonstration or protest. They are typically intended to convey a message related to the subject of the event, often on a political, religious, or social theme. Most often held by a single person, some large signs or banners require multiple people to carry.
Protest signs can display similar messaging to a poster, but are intended to be carried by people rather than affixed to a surface, and are more likely to be hand-made.[citation needed]
Materials
editDemonstrators use a variety of materials. Cardboard, poster board, and foam core are common, with the latter more expensive but rigid and durable.[1][2]
For ease of handling, especially with more flexible materials like poster board, various kinds of poles or extensions are used.[2] Other times, string or straps are used to hang the sign around the protester's neck like a sandwich board.[2]
Messaging
editProtest signs can include written or printed words; drawn, printed, or stenciled images; and other objects adhered to the surface.
Protest signs are often intended to be humorous or artistic.[1]
Evaluations
editA Vice article on creating protest signs includes evaluations by several creative professionals and activists. They found the more effective signs to use a limited color palette, neat writing, high contrast, and concision.[1] Popular Science recommended large surfaces with large, easily readable letters, ideally using stencils or bubble letters.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c Caffier, Justin (February 22, 2017). "How to Make a Protest Sign That Isn't Garbage". Vice. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Bushwick, Sophie (April 10, 2017). "How to make the best protest sign". Popular Science. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
images related to different protests MacKay, 2002; Mandal, 2005; Schwartz, 2002
protest images or logos and their symbolic meaning: Peace Movement (Mann, 2004; Ziemann, 2008) , environmental justice movement (Kurtz, 2005), ACT UP groups (Reed, 2005)precarity movement (Mattoni and Doerr, 2007).