border refugee series | emma m weiss

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anthologies of place

anthologies of place

Folder: body of work

anthologies of place

In my research, I found that the makeup of the immigrant population at the southern border has gradually changed over the past decade. Increasing numbers of refugees of Central American origin are fleeing their home countries and seeking a life free

Map of Mexico highlighting the border with the United States, with various text boxes and statistics about immigration, border security, and refugee issues, including dates, numbers, and facts related to border policy and migrant experiences.

Artifact 1 : infographic poster (24”x36”), outlining how past border legislation has impacted refugees, how a full border wall would impact them, and the dangerous journey they face on the trek through Mexico.

Artifact 2: animated timeline, presenting a short history of southern border legislation in the United States juxtaposed with published research and studies that have continued to prove the inefficacy of that legislation.

As it can be hard to truly understand the weight of text-heavy content as a viewer if it is simply displayed on a wall — reading takes time, and attention spans are short, especially in a crowded gallery with other artworks to see and conversations

Thus I designed my installation to present the juxtaposing, hypocritical history of border legislation in a series of interactive wall panels. As I found the legislation to effectively hide or discount the juxtaposing studies and actual statistics a

Close-up of a black and white informational sign with text about homeland security laws.

Visitors were able to peel back the plastic mylar that the legislation panels were printed on to uncover the true effects of that legislation beneath. By introducing this intrigue and curiosity through interactivity, I aimed to capture attention and

Artifact 3: Onda, an Instagram account with a mission to create a social ripple effect of change at the southern border.

Coinciding with the final project in this series — a design response — was a mass exodus of Central American refugees in October 2018, making their way towards the US border as a caravan. The caravan gained momentum and numbers as it was shared wi

At the end of each brief slideshow of gallery posts or stories is a specific call to action, such as nonprofits to donate to and quick ways to influence legislation. I believe that many people can feel daunted, helpless and paralyzed by the scope a

By using a medium that people already utilize, through strong, concise and memorable graphics that share real stories and digestible facts, Onda’s mission is to show people that small contributions by individuals can turn into a major movement that,

Of course, these issues are deeper than mere donations can fix. But while policy change is the end goal, it does not provide immediate relief to those who are struggling at the border. The resources at the end of each Onda graphic set are aimed at

In my research, I found that the makeup of the immigrant population at the southern border has gradually changed over the past decade. Increasing numbers of refugees of Central American origin are fleeing their home countries and seeking a life free

Map of Mexico highlighting the border with the United States, with various text boxes and statistics about immigration, border security, and refugee issues, including dates, numbers, and facts related to border policy and migrant experiences.

Artifact 1 : infographic poster (24”x36”), outlining how past border legislation has impacted refugees, how a full border wall would impact them, and the dangerous journey they face on the trek through Mexico.

Artifact 2: animated timeline, presenting a short history of southern border legislation in the United States juxtaposed with published research and studies that have continued to prove the inefficacy of that legislation.

As it can be hard to truly understand the weight of text-heavy content as a viewer if it is simply displayed on a wall — reading takes time, and attention spans are short, especially in a crowded gallery with other artworks to see and conversations

Thus I designed my installation to present the juxtaposing, hypocritical history of border legislation in a series of interactive wall panels. As I found the legislation to effectively hide or discount the juxtaposing studies and actual statistics a

Close-up of a black and white informational sign with text about homeland security laws.

Visitors were able to peel back the plastic mylar that the legislation panels were printed on to uncover the true effects of that legislation beneath. By introducing this intrigue and curiosity through interactivity, I aimed to capture attention and

Artifact 3: Onda, an Instagram account with a mission to create a social ripple effect of change at the southern border.

Coinciding with the final project in this series — a design response — was a mass exodus of Central American refugees in October 2018, making their way towards the US border as a caravan. The caravan gained momentum and numbers as it was shared wi

At the end of each brief slideshow of gallery posts or stories is a specific call to action, such as nonprofits to donate to and quick ways to influence legislation. I believe that many people can feel daunted, helpless and paralyzed by the scope a

By using a medium that people already utilize, through strong, concise and memorable graphics that share real stories and digestible facts, Onda’s mission is to show people that small contributions by individuals can turn into a major movement that,

Of course, these issues are deeper than mere donations can fix. But while policy change is the end goal, it does not provide immediate relief to those who are struggling at the border. The resources at the end of each Onda graphic set are aimed at

emma m weiss

BODY OF WORK

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