On The March

I recently went to the People's History Museum in Manchester to view an exhibition of Ed Halls campaign banners, in response to my new university brief. Although he originally studied architecture, Ed became the UNISON convenor of the Borough department and then brach secretary for lambeth, during the 1970's and 80's. (Unison is the public service trade union)

Ed Hall makes banners for causes he believes in and 'says he could not make a banner to promote something he does not support.

And many of his designs often show his love for architecture and landscape.

The banners are made up of applique and usually a central image, which are painted on to fabric using fabric paints and dyes. They are made to be eye catching and use contrasting colours as well as simplistic typography- which is usually placed at the top of the banners so it can be read without being blocked by the crowds. Preliminary sketches were displayed at the exhibition of his work, to show us how he plans out his designs.

I watched this video whilst at the museum and it shows you the exact process Ed goes through to produce these banners, and he puts MANY hours in to them.

I have been asked to produce my own banner for a topic I feel passionate about, and it didn't take long for a subject to pop in to my head. Something that already aggravated me even though I thought it would not directly effect me, has now gone on to cause problems for my fellow classmates and I.

THE INCREASE IN UNIVERSITY TUITION FEES.

The previous government pushed teenagers at the age of 16 and over to go into further education in the hope that they would go on to study at university, and now we have been faced with a huge increase in the price of university fees. The coalition has broken its promises after the Lib Dems refused to support the proposal during the last election.

The prices have effected the decisions of those waiting to apply for university but have now gone on to cause problems for those who are already half way through their degrees. My college is one of many that offers a degree supplied by another university, but due to the rivalry between universities, my degree will no longer be issued to be by LJMU who are trying to protect their 'brand'.