Objective:
Playing on the long standing sports rivalry between schools, this animation was created as part of a social media push to encourage UCLA to sign the Open Covid Pledge before USC.
The Project:
Images of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California (USC) mascots, made entirely of cut paper, are animated to depict the UCLA Bruin kicking the USC Trojan out of frame, and then ringing the Victory Bell.
TRY THIS:
Make it specific to your community.
What worked?
The humor
About this project
Creators:
July, 2020
United States, Los Angeles
7 second video, GIF
Other Notes:
The cut paper elements were assembled and photographed by Kaity, and Vivian added background, digitized the animation, and formatted the animation for various social media platforms.
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
Vivian has been very encouraging of the idea of stop motion throughout the lab, so it was a true collaboration between the two of us to make this happen. I think we both are pleased with the results.
Objective:
We’re building on Dolly Parton’s $1million donation to support COVID-19 research at Vanderbilt University. To get their attention, to educate them on the Open Covid Pledge, and to add pressure for them to sign the pledge, we chose to produce a viral music video parody of the song “Jolene” by Dolly Parton.
We now want to encourage all universities to sign the Open Covid Pledge, so we are currently discussing the “next challenge”: how to create a full-length video in a way that inspires even more people to get involved and ask universities to make a meaningful change.
The Project:
The #JoleneVaccineChallenge is an interactive project, initially intended to target Dolly Parton and Vanderbilt University. However, with the success of the project, we are now targeting universities all over the world! (Read more under “Objective” below.)
We are making a music video parody of the song “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. Do you know the song? The chorus lyrics, “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene…” have been adapted to “Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine, Vaccine.” Check out the video link to see how we rewrote ALL of the lyrics.
The challenge, i.e. the “interactive” element of this project, is twofold. First, we invited all members of the Free the Vaccine campaign to help us make a “trailer” for the music video. The video link here is the trailer, which consists of just the first chorus and verse to the song. At the end of the trailer, we challenge viewers to send videos of THEM lip-syncing/dancing to the song. We made a downloadable track and supplied the lyrics to the whole song for viewers.
TRY THIS:
Record your own lip sync and share it on social media. #JoleneVaccineChallenge
Perform it in your own community.
What worked?
Without Occupy Democrats having shared our video on Facebook, we would have had a MUCH harder time going viral.
Other Notes:
Thousands of people across several social media platforms watched and shared our video. We are continuing to call and email Vanderbilt and Dolly Parton representatives to remind them of our video and its growing number of likes/views.
Based on the initial response to our trailer, we’ve decided that our full-length music video should now target universities all over the world. Our trailer features members of Free the Vaccine from many different countries, emphasizing Parton’s and Vanderbilt’s global impact. In continuing this theme, for the full-length music video, we plan to have a few singers/dancers wearing not only Parton costumes or Vanderbilt t-shirts, but also, for example, t-shirts from other universities.
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A set of instructions exists on how to make this work
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
- The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)
Links:
Reflections from Dannie Snyder
What were some of the responses to this work?
We have gone viral! That in itself is a huge response to our work.
As far as viewers accepting the challenge and submitting videos… So far we have only received a handful of submissions. (It’s not too late to send one yourself!) We are currently outlining our schedule for releasing the full-length music video (probably during the first week of December) as well as three “promotional” videos between now and then; three videos (at least) to help boost our views/likes on social media.
Unfortunately, Dolly Parton and Vanderbilt representatives have not been responding to our emails and calls.
What would be your next steps, building on this idea, if you had a million dollars and all the time and skills in the world?
If we had a million dollars, we could probably think of a million ideas! Our team is always bustling around “what if we…?!” Off the top of my head, we would project the final full-length music video onto Dolly Parton’s house(s) and Vanderbilt’s buildings. We discussed the idea of – when COVID cases and social distancing measures relax – a march around Nashville in Dolly Parton costumes. But, why just in Nashville!? Why stop there?! And wouldn’t it be awesome to have the video produced in every language?! We have also discussed how to get famous people to lip-sync/dance for our full-length music video.
About this project
Creators:
- Aly Bancroft
- Stacy Early
- Laura Holzman
- Dannie Snyder
July, 2020
United States, Nashville
1920×1080
Objective:
To share the FreeTheVaccine campaign on social media, specifically focusing on having one’s network sign the Open COVID Pledge.
The Project:
Set of infographic images detailing the importance of urging research institutions to open license the COVID vaccine.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
Make a version for your target.
What worked?
I received many inquiries from fellow UCLA students on the campaign, with many of my friends and family members signing on as part of the BINGO game. I also saw reposts of the graphics from strangers on Instagram, broadening our overall outreach efforts.
About this project
Creators:
- Tiffany Chen
July, 2020
Image/graphic, Online/web thing
United States, San Francisco
2160 x 2160 px
Other Notes:
From the infographic’s creation date on July 1st to today (July 25th), over 2 million new COVID cases have been reported globally, and almost 250,000 more deaths. Very shocking and further highlights the importance of the pledge and campaign.
- A set of instructions exists on how to make this work
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
Links:
Reflections from Tiffany Chen
Objective:
The objective of this poster was to clearly communicate the driving mission of the Free the Vaccine campaign to a wide audience and bring attention to the fact that a COVID-19 vaccine must be free & accessible in order for the pandemic to end. The poster also worked to serve as a call to action for viewers to sign their individual support to the Open COVID Pledge, adding global pressure to institutions to sign on as well.
The Project:
A black poster with an image of a syringe floating over a cartoon-like globe with the phrase “a vaccine won’t SAVE THE WORLD. A FREE ONE WILL.” in block white and pink letters. Underneath this image is a paragraph stating “Making sure the COVID-19 vaccine is free and accessible in all parts of the world is key to ending the pandemic. A vaccine alone won’t save us, but a free one will. Sign the Open COVID Pledge.” At the very bottom is a link in blue “freethevapcine.org/sign”.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Print it and post it.
Revise the text.
Design it differently.
What worked?
In working with other FtV volunteers and feedback from activist Avram Finkelstein, I think that this poster was able to evolve into a final product that achieved communicating in a very precise way. The imagery and text also effectively connects with the emotional piece of feeling that the world is under threat and needs saving.
About this project
Creators:
- Fiona Davey
July, 2020
United Kingdom, Cambridge
1587×2245
Download Original/High-Resolution File: 2.png
Other Notes:
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
Reflections from Fiona Davey
What was the process/journey of creating this work?
My squad (Seal-3) had been working to approach the virologist Hanneke Schuitemaker working to lead the vaccine initiative at Janssen Pharmaceuticals under Johnson and Johnson. While researching our protagonist, we came across an interview in which she said “treatments save lives, vaccines save populations”. Something about this phrasing really stuck in my head and so when we began to work on creating graphic designs combining images with concise phrases, I had already been thinking about the words and ideas juxtaposed around a vaccine as salvation. While attending one of our weekly meetings and upon hearing about this new mission, the phrase “A vaccine won’t save the world. A free one will.” just appeared in my mind. I began workshopping different ideas of imagery to combine with the phrase. After a lot of helpful feedback from other FtV volunteers and mentors, the poster came to the design we ended with.
What were some of the responses to this work?
There were some really exciting responses to this work including feedback from Avram Finkelstein that the phrase “A vaccine won’t save the world. A free one will.” was the gold standard for concise and clear communication.
Description:
Image that could be for a Facebook post or a sticker.
Objective:
A pithy message that will hopefully direct people to the site or to ask what it’s about.
About this project
Creators:
- Dog Owls – Laura Holzman (others for the poster/wording?), Stacy Early
July, 2020
Image/graphic, Online/web thing, Print
United States, Memphis
Facebook Post size
What worked?
This got the likes on Facebook, however don’t know if anyone went to the FTV site to find out more.
Other Notes:
Reflections from Stacy Early
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
Because I am not a writer it was great to work with others who could come up with a pithy message and then I could play with it for different uses. There is a poster that contains this message with a longer explanation so this, a twitter graphic, and the poster can be used simoultaneously for greater impact.
Interpretive Statement
User Instructions
Print it and stick it!
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
Objective:
We first drafted this text for a poster to help convince Columbia University to adopt the Open Covid Pledge. It can also support other objectives related to the goal of accessible COVID meds.
The Project:
This a slogan anyone can use in the campaign for a People’s Vaccine.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Design it differently.
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
What worked?
It has such emotional power!
Links:
Reflections from Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
About this project
Creators:
- Free the Vaccine for COVID-19 collective members
June, 2020
United States, New York
8 words
Objective:
The aim was to create a simple and effective poster, conveying a clear message. We hoped that this poster would be eye-catching, and easy to make physical — and hence share in the public space, as well as on social media.
The Project:
A poster inspired by Avram Finkelstein. A hand holds a vaccine, ready to be used, on a plain background. The title reads “Freedom. It’s Worth A Shot.” The rejoinder reads: “A free COVID-19 vaccine is the only way to keep everyone safe.
#Freethevaccine.”
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Print it and post it.
Redesign it for social media.
What worked?
It’s a ready-to-use image that can be shared widely.
About this project
Creators:
June, 2020
United Kingdom, Cambridge
A3
Other Notes:
NB — the work can be reproduced on site by printing on any appropriate material.
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
- The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)
Links:
Reflections from Sofia Weiss Goitiandia
What would be your next steps, building on this idea, if you had a million dollars and all the time and skills in the world?
I would just create non-stop! If had all the time and skills, I would want to make art, to design, to create physical installations that are smart and effective. I would create a network of people all around the world creating with me, to take up the public space with the messages of social justice and access to medicines.
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
Make many, many draft images! Move things 1mm each time. Really create as much as you can. You get on a roll and the images just start to pull themselves together. Then, don’t be too much of a perfectionist. When you have a first draft, ask someone who knows for feedback.
Objective:
The objective of this image was just to create a poster that could be used to gain support for the Free the Vaccine campaign.
The Project:
This image is a rectangular poster that has several colorful people in three lines across its length. The people are a very diverse group and depict multiple genders, ethnicities, races, ages, sizes, abilities, religion, and more. In the middle of the people is a blue box with the words “Who Doesn’t Deserve a Vaccine?” in large print. In smaller print is “Let’s give everyone equal access to a life saving COVID-19 vaccine!” In the bottom right corner are the words “#Freethevaccine.”
TRY THIS:
Revise the text.
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
What worked?
We tried pairing other images with the question, “who doesn’t deserve a vaccine,” and this is the one that worked best. Photos got too specific – the cartoon felt like a better fit.
About this project
Creators:
- Emilie Seibert
- Laura Holzman
May, 2020
Image/graphic, Online/web thing
United States, Grand Rapids
variable
Other Notes:
This image was created using canva.com, so all art work was pulled from this site.
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
Reflections from Emilie Seibert
What would be your next steps, building on this idea, if you had a million dollars and all the time and skills in the world?
The next steps would be to further refine this image and then use it as a poster to put everywhere (billboards, subways, etc.). So people realize that EVERYONE deserves access to a vaccine.
Objective:
We mailed this to the office of a UCSD sleep researcher who has received substantial Covid-related funding and is very active on social media, hoping he would amplify our message.
The Project:
A deep blue sleep mask embroidered with the words “Sleeping well… a vaccine is free” sits on red felt inside a wooden box with a sliding lid. The lid is painted with the words “Will you accept our dream?”
TRY THIS:
Make a version for your target.
Build a performance around it.
What worked?
We tailored this piece to this specific individual because he is a sleep researcher. It successfully taught us to consider our audience, although he did not respond.
About this project
Creators:
- Eshita Garg
- Eric Olson
- Mary Clare Rietz
- Jocelyn Edens
- Zeph Fishlyn
May, 2020
United States, San Diego
3x5x7″
Other Notes:
Reflections from Zeph Fishlyn
What would be your next steps, building on this idea, if you had a million dollars and all the time and skills in the world?
Our next steps are continuing to target researchers and making more sleep eye masks. If I had a million dollars, it would be easier to get more (fancier) material to quickly roll out many more masks for the researchers. If I had all the time in the world, I would continue working on making the sleep eye masks non-stop and hope to get a bunch of people on board in helping us create these awesome, soft bundles of self-care!
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
Teamwork makes the dream work! Feel free to take your time – homemade masks have an amazing feel to them and make it extremely personal for the researchers. Don’t be afraid to stalk your targets and create the masks specifically for them. Ask yourselves: what makes them unique and how can this mask reflect that? Research your targets and make sure to keep in touch with the targets throughout the process. We want them to be surprised and also for them to know we truly appreciate their work! We want the targets to rock those sleep eye masks and share our dream together.
Objective:
Pressure the Researcher, or the University as a whole, to sign the Open Covid Pledge.
The Project:
Sports-style trading cards depicting University Researchers, customized with their photo, school colors, and achievements as stats listed on the back. The cards were sent to the researchers, as well as the President or Chancellor of their University, with yarn pom poms and a hand written note asking them to sign the Open Covid Pledge.
TRY THIS:
Make a version for your target.
Invent a game to play with them.
What worked?
The cards were eye-catching but also easy to send by mail (as social distancing is still happening on campus).
About this project
Creators:
- Vivian Peng
- Tod Brilliant
- Kaity Licina
May, 2020
United States, Los Angeles
2.5″x3.5″
Other Notes:
We targeted UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) and USC (University of Southern California) because there is a long-standing sports rivalry between the two universities, which are both in the city of Los Angeles.
- Original files can be provided for exhibition