Analyzing visual rhetoric at Western

Poster 1

For this extension project, I decided to analyze the recycling posters around campus. The first one I found was above two recycling bins and a landfill bin, describing the types of items permitted into the bins. These posters are communicating to the viewer what kind of trash to put into the bins, with only minimal words. Instead of having a paragraph of text describing the different kinds of papers and plastics allowed into the bins, the designer of the poster decided instead to have images of commonly found trash around campus. This was an excellent design choice made by the creator of these posters, because if a student is passing by and usually in a rush, they can simply look at the images, instead of having to stand and read about what should go in the bin.

Poster 2

The second poster I found was about the ways to minimize waste in order to help our environment, economy, and society. By having WWU describe the ways in which they as an institution try to minimize their impact on the environment, it in turn influences students to do the same. The pie chart-like visual is designed in a unique way showing the flow and steps of waste management. When students read the poster, they are more inclined to do the same, and thus promoting sustainable waste management that can be seen in poster 1 as well.

Poster 3

The third poster that I saw was titled, “PUT WASTE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.” This was the least intricate of all the posters, but informational none the less. It describes the different ways of waste management around campus, from landfill, mixed paper, glass, plastic, cans, and compostables. This poster had simple details of the different types of recycling available, which is helpful for a student in case they weren’t sure what could be recycled in the building they’re in while reading the poster. The minimalistic design of the poster was a good approach from the designer, as a student doesn’t have to spend long reading it to receive the information. These posters are building specific, so it provides an overview of what’s available to further aide in sustainable waste management.

Three recycling bins with posters above visually showing what’s permitted in each assigned bin

A pie chart style poster with details on how to manage food waste

Details on the different ways of waste management at WWU, with “PUT WASTE IN THE RIGHT PLACE” as title