Project 1

Reflective memo:

 I chose to focus my social commentary on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) because this issue directly affects my community and me on a very personal level. As a Navajo woman, the topic of MMIW is something that cannot be ignored. This crisis impacts families and communities across Indigenous nations, yet it often goes unnoticed by the broader public and mainstream media The urgency of this issue stems from the alarming rate at which Indigenous women go missing or face violence with many cases remaining unsolved or under-investigated. It's a critical problem rooted in systemic racism and neglect. Even though I haven’t been extremely involved in activism before, I feel a responsibility to bring attention to it now.

My primary audience for this flyer includes Indigenous people and their allies, as well as those who may not be fully aware of the MMIW crisis. This group encompasses students, activists, policymakers, and those who are curious but uninformed. By narrowing my audience down to this group, I was able to tailor my message and design choices. I felt a flyer would be the most effective medium because it is easily shareable and accessible, particularly to younger audiences who might encounter it in public spaces or online. Flyers have a visual impact that can quickly grab attention, and that’s what I wanted—to make people stop and take notice. Given that my audience might not have the time or patience to read a lengthy article, a flyer allowed me to communicate the urgency of the issue with just a few powerful words and images.

The rhetorical choices I made in the flyer are intentional. I used a dark, shadowed image of a person in traditional attire to represent the invisibility of Indigenous women in media and society. The red handprint, which is a symbol of MMIW activism, serves as a powerful reminder of the silenced voices of these women. I also incorporated the color red to signify both violence and protection, while black helped highlight the red and draw the viewer’s eye. The statement “Have you seen her?” is intended to provoke curiosity and empathy, followed by “Of course not. She’s Indigenous,” which confronts the viewer with the harsh reality of the crisis. This informal, almost hostile language was meant to disrupt the audience’s assumptions and make them reflect on the systemic neglect of Indigenous women.

For this project, I initially tried using Adobe Photoshop to manipulate the colors and achieve a sharper contrast, but I found it challenging to get the effect I wanted. Ultimately, I switched to Canva because it was easier to use for adjusting color, contrast, and text placement. Canva doesn’t offer as much control as Photoshop, but for the purposes of this flyer, it was sufficient. I found that Canva allowed me to create a raw, impactful image with some visual enhancements that made the flyer stand out. My experience in Media Lab 1, where I used Photoshop to manipulate images, helped prepare me for this project, but Canva offered a simpler and quicker solution this time.

The biggest challenge I faced with the technology was figuring out how to balance the text and image without cluttering the flyer. Canva has limitations in terms of design control compared to Photoshop, so I had to get creative with how I arranged the elements. In the end, I edited the flyer several times to find the right balance between clarity and impact. The easiest part of the process was using Canva’s drag-and-drop interface to make quick adjustments to colors and text, which allowed me to focus more on the message rather than getting bogged down in technical difficulties.

While I didn’t use a new program for this project, sticking with Canva instead of switching back to Photoshop allowed me to focus more on the message rather than the mechanics of design. Photoshop offers more advanced tools, but for this flyer, Canva worked well because of its simplicity and the specific needs of my audience. I think it worked better for this particular project because it kept the process straightforward and quick.

In terms of feedback, I’d like to know if the flyer successfully communicates the urgency of MMIW and if the rhetorical choices I made are effective in engaging the audience. Specifically, I’d love to hear whether the design and language balance the emotional weight of the issue while also making the message clear and accessible. Any suggestions on improving the flyer would be helpful, especially in terms of reaching a wider audience or making the design even more impactful.

Journal Entry 1: Art as a Social Commentary

The social commentary that was made by Amanda Gorman and Childish Gambino were similar because they both show that there is a change that needs to happen in society. There is an issue that they both express very well in different forms to get their point across and even though the issue is the same they both have utilized different forms of art, one poetry and one music. They are different as well due to the fact that they used different art forms. The word usage is different also. In Childish Gambino’s music video there were visuals of the issue he was rapping about. In Amanda Gorman’s speech, she used poetry and words to express how she felt. The differences that have to do with the rhetorical situation is how it was perceived with the different forms of art commentary. The difference in the art forms is the audience. It is seen by the people that are a viewer to that platform or art form. The speech was going to be seen by people who enjoy watching the news and the music video was going to be seen by people who enjoy watching them. 

Between the two social commentaries I think that Childish Gambino’s social commentary is more effective in this day and age compared to a speech on tv. Most things get seen or heard of from social media with the younger generation. The change can only come from the younger generations for their future kids and for themselves in the future. The persuasive appeal I think the art form Childish Gambino used was pathos because he has lots of emotion behind his lyrics and also seen in the music video with children. 

Another piece of artwork that is a form of social commentary is the song, Alright, by Kendrick Lamar. The song and the music video shows an issue with African Americans not getting treated fairly like they do in society. The argument that it shows how African Americans don't get treated equally in today's society by showing it in the music video and a visual representation of how they get mistreated.

Journal Entry 2: Considering What Mutual aid is

• What is the difference between mutual aid and charity? 

  • Charity: is organizations that provide aid from a person high above others, and it is even funded by wealthier individuals, or foundations, or even sometimes companies. It focuses more on immediate needs than without necessarily tackling the causes of the problems. 

  • Mutual Aid, this is rooted in solidarity, It approaches communities to work together to meet their needs. They are more about forming relationships and having everyone contribute evenly and benefits equally as well. 

• Who funds these programs, and who do they benefit?

  • Charities are funded by donations and often given public recognition or a way ro get wealthy without changing it. 

  • Mutual aid programs are funded by communities like crowdfunding or by longterm systems. 

• Why does dean spade argue that mutual aid programs are more equipped to help people in urgent need? 

  • He argued that the Mutual Aid programs are way more flexible and more responsive as they are coming from communities and this allowed the groups to mobilize quick as well as respond and understand the needs that the people might need. 

• What is one project mentioned in the video that you are interested in learning more about? 

  • Probably the creation of community based networks to handle the disaster relief or eviction of defense. This empowered people to take action in their communities and challenge a lot of systems already set in place as well as look at crisis situations and offer points to learn how to build networks. 

• Do you have any questions about mutual aid?

  • How did mutual aid sustain themselves so long without burning out? 

• Do you agree with spades critiques of charity? Why? 

  • I do agree that charity is something that covers something else up like a bandage. It doesn't solve the problem or help them dissolve it but it doesn’t work with the people. Mutual aid seeks to distribute power and build long community support. 

• What issues might you anticipate encountering if you start a mutual aid project?

  • Participation from volunteers. 

  • Funding

  • Navigation

Journal Entry 3: Peer Review

So I’m very confused about this project I read what I could about it but still confused, but nonetheless, I think when it came to viewing my classmates work it made me think about my own a lot as I saw the way everyone did there's and then I also saw they included more in there's such as pictures and words. I only have one picture and very few words, but overall I like mine however there are a few things I want to change. But reviewing my classmates work was kind of hard and I didn’t want to come off too critical and hurt their feelings to where they don’t like me but it was good and I hope my critique comes in hand for them. 

I only had one feedback but it was really helpful as they were really critical and I will take that into mind when I do my next project as they told me I had text in there that I might have not wanted in there and they were right as well as telling me I made a good choice when I looked at their comment and my comment it influenced me to be a bit more critical as well as taking their words into mind so I could also tell that to the person I reviewed as well. I believe it's good to do both as if you receive you can correct what you need to and take that into mind in the future and if you give it also helps you think of your own project as well. In both of my responses to my classmates I told them that a few tweaks here and there will do good and I’m not wrong, one just has to change their background color and the other just needs to stick to one font and size. 

Memos:

From: McKenzie Jimenez 

To: Logan Smokov

Subject: Feedback on Flyer Design

Hi Logan!

I just had a chance to look at your flyer, and I wanted to share some thoughts. I see the theme you're going for, and I think you're on the right track! One suggestion is to consider adding more contrast to help certain elements stand out, especially the lamp. I really like how the lamp cuts through the darkness at the top; it creates a strong visual impact. The warm yellow and orange colors you used for the important headlines do a great job of highlighting key information, making it easier to read.

However, I noticed that the variety of fonts and colors feels a bit overwhelming. It tends to distract me as I move from one section to another. To improve readability, I recommend sticking to larger fonts for the headlines and keeping the body text uniform in size. This will help create a more cohesive look and make it easier for viewers to follow the information. Consider using bullet points or shorter statements to break up the text, which can also help keep the audience engaged.

Regarding your plan to Photoshop the lamp at the top, I think that's a great idea! I’d love to see the final product when you're done. Using a path from your neighborhood is also an excellent choice—it will add depth to the design. Just be careful not to make it too dark; you want it to convey your message about how lighting impacts safety without losing visibility.

Speaking of safety, this brings to mind the dimly lit areas around the UNM campus. There are quite a few spots in parking lots and structures that can feel unsettling due to the lack of adequate lighting. It’s important to address these issues in your flyer, as they connect directly to your theme.

Overall, I think you’re doing a great job! With a few tweaks to the flyer’s design and layout, I believe it will be ready to go. If you have any questions or want to discuss this further, feel free to reach out!

From: McKenzie Jimenez

To: Gracie Cooper

Subject: Feedback on Flyer Design and UNM Transportation Commentary

Hi Gracie,

I just reviewed your flyer design, and I wanted to share some thoughts on the color theme and overall layout.

For the color scheme, I recommend opting for a pastel palette. Pastel colors tend to create a friendly and inviting vibe, which aligns well with the message we want to convey. However, if you’re looking for something that really stands out, neon colors could work as well. They definitely catch the eye, but keep in mind that neon can be quite bold and intense, so it’s important to consider how that will affect the overall tone of the flyer.

Regarding the text, I see the vision you’re aiming for, but it seems to blend into the background a bit too much. It might be helpful to make the text bolder or use a darker font to ensure it’s legible. While neon text would certainly pop, the brightness might overwhelm the design, so I think a darker text paired with pastel colors would strike a nice balance.

I also noticed there are some large blank spaces on the flyer. If that was intentional, it could serve to create emphasis, but if not, you might want to fill those gaps to maintain a cohesive look. Adding relevant images or additional text in those areas could help make the flyer more visually appealing and informative.

On the topic of UNM’s transportation system, I completely agree with the points you’re making. I’ve had my own experiences using the buses, and some drop-off locations can feel a bit sketchy. The issue of parking permits is another major concern; the costs are quite high, and with all the fees we already pay, it can be overwhelming. It’s frustrating that even with a permit, there’s often a lack of available spots, especially in R lot.

Overall, I really like what you’re doing with this project. With a few tweaks to the design and some adjustments to the text, I believe it will be ready to go. If you have any other questions or want to discuss further, feel free to reach out!

From: McKenzie Jimenez

To: Kody Giron 

Subject: Peer Review 2: Project 1 

Hi Kody,

I reviewed your flyer and wanted to share my thoughts. The images you chose are powerful and effectively convey the impact of systemic racism and the injustice of silence. At first, I was a bit confused by some elements, but I realized they add depth to the piece.

The overall design is well done. I suggest lightening the dark red text just a shade while keeping it in the same range for better readability. I appreciate that you included both your older draft and the new version; it shows your progress.

The contrast between the red, black, and white works really well together, and I don’t find it too distracting. It captures attention while clearly communicating your message, which is impressive. The flyer has helped me understand the issue in a new way, and I feel more informed now.

Overall, the flyer is easy to read and impactful. Just that minor tweak with the text color will enhance it further. Additionally, your site layout is nice and easy to navigate—great job! Good luck with your remaining projects!

Statement of Goals and Choices

My audience is the UNM student body, including clubs and organizations that focus on community advocacy and cultural awareness. This audience was chosen because students are agents of change, capable of fostering awareness and initiating dialogues on systemic issues like Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). By engaging this group, I aim to ignite a sense of responsibility and solidarity, particularly in New Mexico, where this crisis is deeply felt.
I incorporated visuals designed to educate and provoke thought, such as silhouettes of women fading into the background, a timeline of disappearances, and symbolic red dresses hanging in empty spaces. These images are powerful metaphors for the erasure of Indigenous women and the loss felt by their families and communities. Each visual is selected to create an emotional connection while also conveying information, balancing impact with education.

The language is intentionally direct and urgent, using phrases like “their voices demand to be heard” and “a crisis hidden in plain sight.” The goal is to make the issue impossible to ignore without overwhelming the audience. I avoided overly graphic descriptions, focusing instead on words that convey resilience, dignity, and the need for justice. This ensures the message is compelling and empowering rather than paralyzing.

My goal is to amplify the MMIW crisis while highlighting its relevance to the local community. By informing the audience of the disproportionate rates of violence faced by Indigenous women and the systemic neglect that perpetuates it, I want to spark discussions and actions that extend beyond the university. Whether through student-led initiatives, collaborations with advocacy groups, or individual support, I aim to build momentum for change.

I employed contrast as a rhetorical tool—juxtaposing the vibrant cultural contributions of Indigenous women with the stark reality of their vulnerability to violence. The project emphasizes collective action, presenting clear steps such as attending workshops, signing petitions, or joining awareness campaigns. This approach ensures the message resonates on both an emotional and practical level, empowering the audience to act while highlighting the depth of the issue.

Experience evaluation: 

I used Canva for my project because it is user-friendly and offers a wide range of templates and design tools I did go back and forth a bit between canva and adobe but in the end chose canva. It provides an intuitive interface that allows me to quickly experiment with layouts, fonts, and colors, which is particularly useful for a visually impactful topic like MMIW. Canva also has built-in features that streamline the creation of professional-looking designs without requiring advanced skills.

Canva is a versatile program designed for creating visually appealing materials such as flyers, presentations, and social media posts. It includes an extensive library of images, fonts, and customizable templates, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced designers. The drag-and-drop functionality and collaborative features make it ideal for projects that require quick adjustments or teamwork. While it doesn’t have the advanced customization of tools like Adobe InDesign, it excels in ease of use and efficiency for straightforward designs.

I chose Canva for my social commentary because its design tools allow me to focus on crafting a message that’s both visually compelling and easy to understand. The program’s ability to embed images, adjust colors, and layer text makes it ideal for a project aiming to educate and engage the audience about MMIW. Canva’s accessibility also ensures I can efficiently adapt my designs if new ideas or feedback arise during the creative process, keeping my project dynamic and effective.

Project 1 Reflection: 

Working on my first project about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) was a profoundly personal and life changing experience this issue is deeply rooted in my identity especially as a Native American and living within a native community it represents not only the struggles we face but also the resilience of Indigenous women and families living in New Mexico where MMIW rates are alarmingly high I felt an urgent responsibility to increase the information about this crisis through my work not only bringing awareness to it but to inform others about what is happening.

From the start I knew this project had to strike a delicate balance between emotional impact and informational clarity MMIW is not just a statistic it’s about real women, real lives, and lives that had changed due to a sister, a mother, grandmother, had become one of the many Missing Murdered Indigenous sisters and the ripples of grief that spread through not only the  families but many of the communities as well the challenge for me was to convey the gravity of the issue without overwhelming my audience to the point that they would or might disengagement this balance guided every design choice I had made from the symbolic red handprints, dresses onto the carefully chosen language that was direct but compassionate if I do say so myself.

However the process of creating this flyer pushed me to think critically about visual storytelling and the power of imagery I spent hours deciding how to arrange the bold visuals and impactful statistics such as New Mexico’s disproportionate rates of missing Indigenous women which will instead but used in a later project as I wanted the flyer to feel urgent yet accessible, especially for students who may not have been exposed to the before I remember reworking the layout multiple times asking myself “Does this resonate? Will someone feel compelled to stop and learn more?” will this help my audience engage more will this help with making my stuff more eye catching I asked myself multiple times if there was a problem with my work even asking classmates outside of class for help. 

This project also gave me a chance to reflect on the broader implications of raising awareness I realized that even small efforts like crafting a flyer can spark conversations that lead to meaningful change. It reminded me of the strength of my community and the importance of advocating for justice no matter how small the platform might seem. As well as on a personal level, this project reinforced my connection to my heritage and my commitment to using my voice for advocacy I felt a deep sense of pride when I completed the flyer because it wasn’t just an assignment it was a tribute to the women we’ve lost and a call to action for others to join the fight for justice so when that is why my flyer is saying "Have you seen her? Of course not shes indigenous." it comes from not being seen as an indigenous person as we are always ignored and it's been going on for far to long.