Childhood Food Insecurity in Rural America:
Raising Awareness and Inspiring Action Through Art and Design
Synopsis of Thesis
Introduction
Research proves food insecurity in children leads to malnutrition, mental deficits, and social impairment. However, many households with children in rural communities in the United States lack the income, education, awareness, and transportation necessary to mitigate this problem. To effectively reduce the rates of childhood food insecurity in this country, studies report a need to recruit more community sponsors, increase reimbursements for meals, reduce administrative barriers, address transportation challenges in rural areas, and improve program outreach (Current 5-3). If these needs are left unaddressed, the rates of food insecurity will continue to rise, primarily due to the current state of economic depression, inflation, high-interest rates, and increased food and fuel costs.
Inspiring Change
Fortunately, research also shows that art and design drive others to charitable action when
- the color palette is emotionally inviting or influential
- the designs are placed in observable locations
- the art displays a desired action, activating the viewer’s mirror neurons,
influencing a similar action by the viewer - the art humanizes a victim to rouse empathetic sentiments and
social obligation
Research Influenced Art & Design
As I created my deliverables, I focused on implementing these proven methods to achieve the greatest chance of diminishing food insecurity for children in rural America. But to encompass all three points, I completed two separate projects. The “event signage” final visual solution uses research-based color psychology and strategic placement in observable locations to influence others. At the same time, the graphic novel Hungry displays desired actions and humanizes victims of food insecurity to produce charitable action. Even though these projects may seem disconnected, they become more influential if combined. For example, a festival-type event could be held, using the provided signage, to raise funds for the food insecure and to promote the graphic novel, which humanizes the victims, raises awareness, provides information, and supports the cause.
The Process
Since this double project was such a huge undertaking, creating my research-based deliverables included meticulous planning, hours of designing, creative problem-solving, various methods of creation, and tremendous time management skills. For each project, I researched formats and size constraints, final materials and printing methods, and collections of imagery and typefaces. Then, I paused the design work to write a compelling, humanizing story about a research-based, fictional, food-insecure child in rural America. Next, I sketched out multiple ideas for each graphic novel page and each type of sign. After completing the plethora of design ideas for both projects, I created more refined digital renditions and the final art using Adobe InDesign for the signage and Procreate on the iPad for the graphic novel.
Finally, I completed the graphic novel text and layout in InDesign. To complete the deliverables, I compiled the files into formats ready for download or publication.
The Final Products
CHARITABLE EVENT SIGNAGE: The charitable event signage is available for download, free of charge, by any organization or person wishing to raise funds for those suffering from food insecurity. These sign designs include layouts for feather flags, sidewalk sandwich boards, lawn signs, and photo/stage backdrops.
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Feather Flag Design
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| Photo/Stage Backdrop Design |
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| Lawn Signage Design |
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| Sidewalk Sandwich Board Design |
GRAPHIC NOVEL: I am currently working on partnering with an existing national charitable organization to get the graphic novel
Hungry published and distributed. However, if that effort does not come to fruition, I intend to pursue a grant for the funds to do an initial print run of the book and distribute it through food banks or schools. If that does not work out, I will submit the book for traditional publication or upload it to Amazon and offer the graphic novel as a print-on-demand book through Kindle Direct Publishing.
But until then, the following shows a sampling of images from the interior of the book and a little about the story.
Nine-year-old Hugo, living in the rural Southwest with his single, working mother, just wants to help his third-grade class win the school kickball tournament, but unfortunately, his hunger and lack of food security get in the way. Will Hugo ever get the food he needs to sustain his energy and focus and help him feel more secure in his everyday life? Find out in Hungry: a graphic novel, fighting food insecurity for children, written and illustrated by Julie Olson.
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| Cover Art |
Achieving the Vision
Ideally, people will employ the signage and the graphic novel together to affect change in their local communities across the country. In particular, I hope to reach children suffering or who have a friend suffering from food insecurity through the graphic novel deliverable. Many food-insecure children do not have a proper adult advocate and may not even be aware of the available resources. However, I hope the book Hungry helps children understand how to get help, where to get help, and when to get help. Ultimately, these works of art and design will bring awareness to the issue, encourage activism and volunteerism, and provide information to help those seeking relief. Through projects such as these and other charitable efforts, we can reduce food insecurity for children in rural America.
Help feed the children.
Works Cited:
“Current and Prospective Scope of Hunger and Food Security in America: A Review of Current Research.” RTI International: Center for Health and Environmental Modeling, Research Triangle Park, NC, 2014, https://www.rti.org/sites/default/files/resources/full_hunger_report_final_07-24-14.pdf/.
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