Ephemera
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
As we continue to work on persuasion, and prepare to do some historical research on important persuaders and persuasive events, we are going to briefly dip into two categories of non-verbal persuasion: Ephemera and Action Steps. Best used together, these two tools can be used effectively when separated. We will practice making ephemera first.
Ephemera, as you can guess from the above, is often used persuasively. Familiar examples of ephemera include: buttons & pins, bumper stickers, flyers, posters, t-shirts and (newly) rubber bracelets.
The purpose of ephemera is generally to flood the “public” or the “target audience” with one side of the issue - a candidate, a concept, an idea, a product. Although items are often hoarded as collectibles, ephemera is meant to be disposed of! Its message should be short and sweet. Its visual effect should be powerful. Perhaps most important, ephemera should be memorable.
