Rationale - 

My initial idea was to explore the inequality in education for immigrants but found out later that that wasn’t the case, and only then did I start really looking into equality in New Zealand. I ended up changing and deciding to explore the wealth gap between the rich and the poor in New Zealand and how the economy is giving to those already at the top. 

My final posters both reference the ‘top’ and have symbolism relating to the wealth gap for New Zealand. The phrase “Poor get Poorer” was used to get the point across that there is a gap between the rich and poor in New Zealand. In terms of Ihi and Wehi, my posters use simple lines and bright colours to create a more light hearted approach to a topic that has a darker and deeper meaning, so hopefully this will contrast and inform the viewers of the more serious issues of inequality. 

My final two posters contrast each other stylistically. One uses simple and clean lines and the use of scale to get the point across while the second is minimalistic shapes and uses contrast.

Final - 

Not proud of the work that I've done. I felt like I rushed a lot of things and there could have been a lot of things that could've been easily fixed or avoided, especially with my last poster. These are my two posters that I developed and produced, however, and I think they convey the issue and my points fine, about the wealth and income gap and how the economy gives more to those at the top.

Development II

Compared with my first poster, I went with more of a minimalistic approach but still wanted something that represented New Zealand's economy and how it's focused on providing for those who are already well off (with the top of the country being filled with coins, and bright while the bottom half is in total darkness).

Development / Refinements

After getting some feedback, I decided to use the sky tower idea and for my second poster, I am looking to do a minimalistic layout of New Zealand showing the wealth divide.  I'm going try communicate the idea of the sky tower contrasting with the other buildings around it, and this idea of the "top" getting more income and wealth than those on the bottom, through the economy.

Concepts

Drew up a few more ideas as I still wasn't sure which was I was going to go with this. I am leaning towards the idea of having the Auckland Sky Tower though, and having that show the difference between the wealthiest and the poorest, with something showing the economy or how the poor get poorer/wealthy get wealthier.

Coloured in John Key, but it looks quite similar to the finished poster I saw in the other class, so I don't think I want to continue with this route.

Had a look at showing the rich/poor divide with quick lines and quirky cartoon to contrast it with a deep rooted issue, and also glanced over the idea of having a scale or a pulley, suggesting that the working class (poor) sector of New Zealand earns way less, by having lots of workers pulling on it and them being counteracted with a small coin, or something, etc. 

I don't think I will go with any of these and still look at the Auckland sky tower idea, although having an outline of New Zealand with coins would be a decent idea...

Had the idea of using a kiwi as well, along with the sky tower to show the divide. 

August 18, Week 5, session 2 + August 25, Week 6

Still struggling with the work and imagery. I applied for an extension and it was made possible after talking with Caroline about my options. I'm still not sure whether I am able to pass or not, as I haven't attended a majority of the classes or received any critiques for my work, so am relying on flatmates for that. Started making a few concepts to expand on, but most of them could do with some work. Had a really good look at the income and wealth gap of the top compared to the bottom, and perhaps at how the economy is a defining factor in how the gap is determined... Still lots to go through.

 1. Wanted to at least have a concept with John Key, since he's the most important person when it comes to inequality in New Zealand. John Key stashing money.

2. Some of the ideas that I have are from the previous ideation techniques. Had a look at the term of "money growing on trees" and the idea that the wealthiest people are given more money for being at the top while those that work harder and longer still get paid significantly less and struggling.

3. Looked at Auckland and one of it's most well known icons. Contrasted to normal buildings and smaller houses to show the difference between the top and the bottom wealth sectors.

4. Looked at "Poverty + Wealth" and the idea that they're connected. Showed contrasting colours and the idea that someone in the top 10% can earn as much as 8 times the amount of those in the bottom 10%.

Would like to use a conjunction of these ideas and hopefully make something decent.

August 11, Week 4, session 2 + August 15, Week 5

I wasn't able to attend these two classes due to a few different problems. Need to pick up my game and catch up on a lot of things. Will try and see if an extension is possible. Continued researching my issue, drawing/coming up with concepts and starting to make these in photoshop. 

Ideation - 

I enjoyed this even though it was pretty difficult to think of ideas that went along with the word and my overall theme of income/wealth inequality. I feel like I am really behind and have a lot to work on to be able to hand in on the day.

Research - Wealth and Income

http://www.inequality.org.nz/understand/ 

http://www.inequality.org.nz/new-pre-tax-income-stats-out/ 

http://www.inequality.org.nz/revealed-change-richs-income-share-national/ 

http://www.inequality.org.nz/understand/rich-really-pay-tax/ 

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/261349/nz-gap-between-rich-and-poor-growing 

http://closertogether.org.nz/nzs-income-inequality-problem/ 

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/income-and-wealth-distribution

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11371860 

http://morganfoundation.org.nz/whos-new-zealands-real-rich-the-results-may-surprise-you/ 

August 8, Week 4, session 1

In today's lecture, we looked at "Concept vs Style" in relation to our assignment. The main point of it was that we were to have one concept and two visual solutions. We need to make two posters that are aesthetically different but both communicate the same concept. 

After the lecture, we got into small groups, looked at two different posters and then discussed how they made us feel and which word best described each one. It was pretty difficult to come up words, since the posters gave such a huge range of emotions. We then got together with the class and looked at the posters together and explored the different styles, movements and techniques used. 

With me being away for quite a few lessons, getting a catch up/critique from Caroline helped, and I decided to change my issue from education to wealth and income inequality. 

July 28 Week 2, session 2 + August 1, Week 3

Wasn't able to attend these classes due to being ill. 

Narrowed down my issue today and had a look at/researched inequality in education for recent immigrants, I came up with a few concepts for interim presentation but was unable to go. I'm still not sure where I am headed with this and what artistic approach I should take. 

1 - Looked at the idea of a plane and the idea of immigrants moving to a different country not having a stable education (plane crash, etc).

2 - A play on a UNICEF poster about the education system in New Zealand.

 3 - Skin colour making no differences to how someone is taught and how someone receives and education.

4 - Had a look the tree of knowledge, or something a long those lines. Striking it down the middle and making it not equal, etc. Needs a lot of work. 

Research

Is New Zealand in equal society?

Gender, class, race, wealth, education, indigenous values, suffrage, war, media platforms, free speech, proportional representation, ethnic divide, abuse, poverty, age, sport.

“Immigrants from many countries have chosen to settle and contribute to New Zealand’s society. However, it was only in the 1970s and 1980s that our immigration policy stopped favouring European descendants and began accepting immigrants on the basis of skills, financial assets and family relationships.” 

Chinese had first arrived in numbers during the 1860s gold rushes. 

Chinese were officially prescribed as foreign ‘race aliens’. They could not become naturalised New Zealand citizens (from 1908 to 1952) and had to pay a poll tax (between 1881 and 1944) if they were allowed to enter the country. 

They were not able to vote or participate in political arenas until 1952, were excluded from state employment, and were barred from entering many professional occupations.

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/cacr/about-us/diversity-issues/is-new-zealand-an-equal-society 

https://www.hrc.co.nz/files/5114/2388/0504/HRNZ_10_Right_to_education.pdf

http://www.nzimmigrationinformation.com/edu.htm 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/69798098/data-key-to-fixing-education-inequality 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11557000 

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/ethnic-inequalities

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history-of-immigration/page-17 

https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/research/diverse-communities-migrant-experience/migrant-experience-report.pdf 

Posters - 

(Some posters that I like the artistic style and look of)

July 21 Week 1, session 2

We had the debate on whether "New Zealand is equal" or not, and I felt like it was pretty successful even though we didn't end up winning it (was a uphill battle from the start anyway). We did some research afterwards into an issue we wanted to base our posters around. I think we all know that most people would go with the idea that "New Zealand isn't equal," and that's the same for me. Homework was to research our issue further and to find some successful posters to analyse. 

Research for the debate - Is NZ equal? 

(And other notes from class). 

Is New Zealand equal? Egalitarian. What does ‘equal’ mean in terms of human values? 

"New Zealand as a country is equal, we don't have any prominent issues that cant result to equality. The defining factor within New Zealand that consequence to inequality are peoples perceptions within New Zealand."

July 18 – Week 1, session 1

We had our first class today where we established the topic for the brief (equality) and looked at some examples with a focus on FADP's, rhetoric, and Ihi and Wehi. 

In class we split into groups of 4 to 5 and looked at artist precedents to discuss the Ihi and Wehi of the examples and how each of them made us feel, which I quite liked because it make us really think about how something was designed and the intentions it had. 

We then brainstormed some ideas on equality in New Zealand and split up into groups of 10 for the debate on whether New Zealand is equal or not, next week. I ended up on the "for" side of the argument even though I thought otherwise and felt like it would be a fun experience (even if I wasn't one of the speakers). We had to research and refine our arguments for Thursday.