You can personalize your political message by making your own protest sign.Activist art includes protest signs.You can use existing symbols and images to create a protest sign.You will need to think about your materials as well.The reason for the sign is your message.Make a clear and eye-catching sign to let others see your message.
Step 1: Determine what you want to say.
Pick one message that you feel passionate about and you will have a million things to say.The best way to represent your ideas is with a few signs, but only one message per sign.Decide if you want to use text or imagery to convey your message.If you want to speak about women's rights at a march, you could write, "Equal pay for equal work."
Step 2: Text on protest signs can be short.
If you decide to use text, make a statement to represent your message.Since it can be hard to fit long text on a protest sign, you should stick to a statement of 7 words or less.You can say a lot in 7 words.At the March on Washington in 1963, protesters held signs that said, "We demand an end to bias now."
Step 3: You can choose a symbol.
A symbol can be used in place of text to convey your message.You can make your sign popular by using a peace sign.British artist Gerald Holtom designed the peace sign.It was designed for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.Women's marches and feminist campaigns often use the symbol for the female sex.The equals sign can be used to represent equality.The fist is a symbol for social justice.It is possible to combine symbols that go well together.
Step 4: You should make your message personal.
There are a lot of popular slogans and statements that are repeated on many signs.personalize your statement to stand out from the crowdDraw on your fan wisdom to make a political statement if you are a fan of a show or film.If you identify as queer, trans, female, working-class, or something else, connect your statement to this particular identity or intersection of identities.
Step 5: Get feedback from other people.
Before you write your statement on the sign, you may want to get feedback from your friends.They might be able to give you helpful advice.Try to rewrite the message to improve what is missing, such as clarity, brevity, wit, force, or personal resonance.If you are protesting with friends, you could ask if your statement goes well with the signs they will be carrying.Protestors stand next to one another and people often read signs in relation to them.
Step 6: The sign has a layout on it.
To draft your message, use a pencil.layout the text so that there is space for images on your signIf you want people to be able to read it from a distance, try to use large fonts.You can design your sign in Microsoft Word or Adobe Illustrator, print it out, and use the printout as a guide when writing the message on the sign.People are not likely to read small letters on the edge of a sign.
Step 7: Use paint markers to outline the words.
The text should be outlined.The text should be filled in with darker colors that contrast with the sign's background color.Writing on protest signs can be done with paint markers.There are art supply stores that sell paint markers.On the other side of the poster board, repeat this process.You should design a double-sided sign if you want your protest to be noticed.
Step 8: Pick a color.
Some of the best protest signs use bright colors to reinforce their message.The gravity of a message is emphasized by the use of dark colors.A rainbow of colors can be used to represent diversity in a variety of ways.
Step 9: A strong contrast is needed between the background design and the fonts color.
The background design of your poster can be influenced by your text color.If you want to use black text against a white background, you should use it against an orange background.
Step 10: There is a connection between the text and the image.
The symbol used on the sign should reinforce the writing.Some of the best protest signs use imagery that supports the text written on the sign, such as the symbol for female alongside a text saying 'Women's Day March.'
Step 11: Limit the number of colors you use.
If you want to incorporate every color you can imagine, consider using 2 or 3 colors.Think about which 2 or 3 colors will work best for your message and keep it simple.There was a protest sign with only yellow, orange, and black.During the Vietnam War protests, the sign included an image of a fragile flower and read, "War is not healthy for children and other living things."
Step 12: Try mixed media.
You could try mixed media or three-dimensional designs if you want to be more ambitious.For attaching three-dimensional objects to a protest sign, foamcore works better.You can attach a globe to a poster at a climate justice protest.
Step 13: If you need more guidance, you can download an existing poster design.
If you're in a rush, you can always download an existing poster design.Posters for the protest you are attending can be found on the websites of the organizations.You can change an existing poster design with your own text.
Step 14: Look at the sign from a long way away.
Lean your sign against the wall.Go back 10 feet and see if you can read it.The text may be too small if you can't read it from a distance.If you can't see the symbols on your sign, you may want to make them bigger.When testing for legibility, you could ask a friend to hold your sign up.
Step 15: The decorations should be added.
Depending on the message you are trying to convey, you may want to add decorations.You can make your protest sign more attractive with eye-catching decorations.
Step 16: You can choose the material for your poster boards.
If you have to travel to the protest, you should consider the material for the poster board.The main options are foamcore, corrugated plastic, and poster board.You will need 2 boards to make each sign.The poster board is cheap and popular.It can make your sign hard to read because it is easily damaged and bent.If you want to use mixed media or use three-dimensional elements in your design, foamcore is a better option than poster board.Since corrugated plastic sign blanks are used for real estate signs, they can be obtained at most hardware stores.Attach the sides together with tape if you use this material.
Step 17: Pick the material for your handle.
Attach a handle to your sign in order to hold it at the protest.The main options are lumber, paint sticks, and easel backs.The poster boards will be secured with tape, nails, or self-sticking glue.There are easel backs.Attach one on either side of the sign and fold the tabs to use as handles.They are self-sticking.These are great for foamcore.Since you can staple or nail the base to a single piece of wood, single pieces of 3 by 1 inch wood are often used.You will need something to attach the handle to the poster boards.This is a good option if you are using a heavier base.Wood isn't allowed at many protests.It is easier to hold a dowel for long periods compared to 3 by 1 inch wood.It's a good option for corrugated plastic sign blanks.You will need something to hold it together.Wood isn't allowed at many protests.
Step 18: Attach the handle to the poster boards.
There are two poster boards on the ground.Place your handle in the middle of the sign.Attach the handle to the base of the sign.Put the second poster board on top.You could attach a poster board to the handle.There is a one-sided protest sign.There are things written on both sides of protest signs.It is very easy to make a sign with only one side if you have a budget.
Step 19: The handle needs to be comfortable.
Wrap the handle with tape to make it easier to hold for a long time.Hockey tape or electrical tape can be wrapped around the handle to make it easier to hold.If you can't make the handle comfortable to hold, you may benefit from a plan B.You could attach a string to the sign.You can put the string around your neck when you're tired of holding the handle.