Date of Award
Fall 2008
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Liberal Studies
Degree Name
Master of Arts
First Advisor
Susan J Siggelakis
Abstract
World War I propaganda posters were examined for design effectiveness. The Wilson Administration's policy of neutrality lead to the need for the creation of the Committee on Public Information (CPI) with a Department of Pictorial Publicity (DPP) when the United States entered the war in April, 1917. Illiteracy and foreign speaking Americans made the poster the most effective way of communicating messages of food conservation, support for the troops and Allies, and hatred of the enemy. By applying modern graphic design theory to the posters created by the CPI it is possible to evaluate which posters may have had the greatest impact on the American public.
Recommended Citation
LaBrecque, Kelly, "Persuasion by design: World War I, the Committee on Public Information, and the effectiveness of good poster design" (2008). Master's Theses and Capstones. 91.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/91