ank_vis.comp.: December 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

final Poster for design for the divide

I chose to design a poster for the debate over drilling for natural gas. Some people and for it and some are against it, but they both the energy companies and the environmentalists share the same goal of creating a clearer energy source. I chose to create a simple calender in the background to represent the future and the past. Natural gas energy is becoming popular to replace oil in the US and other countries, so I have our past energy source of oil in the days already gone by on the calender. I chose to create "x" marks to represent that that day has past. I created iconic images for both the oil and natural gas symbols. I put the natural gas icons in the future slots on the calender to show that that is the direction in which people are pushing. I chose the copy "creating a greener future???" because not everybody believes it is as clean as others say and do not want this energy to become our future where others believe it is the clean fuel of the future. I chose this typography to create hierarchy in the poster. I wanted a nice flowing font to start the type off so I chose a soft cursive sans serif to draw the viewer in. I broke the larger words in order to lower their importance because I wanted the word "greener" to have the most power. That is why greener is in capitals, it is a different color, it a serif font different than the other fonts, and the word is complete, not broken. I needed to add the question marks to create a question for the viewers to ponder and question which side they feel is right. I chose the blue color because it is the color of natural gas icons and logos, because it references a gas stove flame. I chose the green color because the groups argue over whether or not natural gas is a clean, green fuel. I wanted to make the word "greener" blue not green because I feel it ads another element of visual interest because it isn't what you would expect. I made the poster black to make a powerful statement, and I used red to represent the old energy source and the calender so it would separate from the type.

Design for the Divide poster ideas

poster moodboard

Reseach paper for poster project

American’s energy needs are substantial; we rank second in the world losing first place to China. Though, our average energy expense has been slowly decreasing since 2004 do to new, better technologies, the US average yearly expense is still barley under the six figure mark as stated in the US Energy Information Administration, EIA, Monthly Energy Review. According to the USA Department of Energy website, Pennsylvania ranks 31 in the 2009 Energy Expenditure Per Capita Survey with an annual expanse around $3,000 per person. Ironically, in 2009 Pennsylvanian’s average energy expense for the year was $3,437.40 this figure being only under the 2009 US energy consumption average by $23.32. Shocking as it sounds, Pennsylvania is far from the worst state in terms of costly energy consumption. The top five energy hungry states in rank from higher to highest in energy expenses are Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Alaska; the winner by far with an average energy expense per person of $7,684.06 in 2009. With such a high demand for energy and necessary move away from reliance on foreign oil in the US, it is easy to see why people are looking to different energy resources.

Drilling for natural gas has become a rapidly growing alternative to our energy needs. Natural gas has been termed the energy source of the future. The advantages are substantial and could change our energy lifestyle. Environmentally, the usage of Natural Gas as an energy source is the cleanest burning of our traditional energy sources. Advanced technology are making the efforts of the locating and extracting fossil fuels easier and more accurate. Economically the US is sitting on a gold mine of natural gas; with the called the Saudi Arabia of Natural Gas. The potential usage of natural gas in the US could ultimately diminish our reliance on foreign oil. US companies also have money to gain off the sale of US natural gas energy. Even an average Joe can benefit from the growth in natural gas affiances; a company may be interested in renting your land for a monthly few or tax subsidy for the rights to drill on your property.

Natural Gas, like most energy recourses does have its share of disadvantages. Environmentally, like all fuel burning energies, Natural Gas usage releases carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to ozone depletion; however, it is the cleanest burning of all fuels today. The amount of pollution attributive to natural gas can be found in a number of ways and can be exhibited in our own neighborhoods and homes. While drilling a well for possible extraction, water is used in a process called fracting; this polluted water can seep through cracks in the ground and infiltrate nearby water supplies. The water that stays contained is eventually sucked out and place in a hole in the ground termed a waste pit; though these steps are taken to lower the amount of pollution, these tarps often leak or crack and only 1/3 of them are lined. Pipelines are installed to transport gas underground; under our feet. These pipes, though rarely, have a potential to leak. If there is a leak there is a potential for harmful pollution that if left untended to can cause fatalities. There is always a chance that a prospective well may not be economically tapable and the resources put into the project are for not.

The debate over natural gas as a potential energy power for the US is substantial on both ends. On the economic end natural gas creates jobs in the US, offers an alternative to foreign oil, creates opportunities for trade, and can ultimately boost our economy. On the environmental end there are many opportunities for pollution that can be very harmful, communities are disrupted and devalued by drilling wells, and though it may be cleaner than the other traditional energy sources, it is far from clean. All these points have substance, which makes choosing a stance on the issue difficult. Personally I feel though the economic arguments are valid, they do not over way the disadvantages. There are many other energy resources that are more environmentally friendly and have similar benefits to natural gas. There are many alternatives to energy, but there is only one earth. Why settle for an energy resource that is better but not best? The move to natural gas is a step in the right direction but far from our destination.