Based on the sheer and magnificent talent of the deaf actors of Hollywood, I created a billboard poster for my liberal art elective project in college, that shows support to eight of such deaf actors who have given tremendous performances in movies and series. This project was inspired by the heart-touching movie 'CODA' ,released in 2021 which gave a recent rise and respect to the valour of deaf actors at the Golden Globe Awards and OSCARS. Watching this movie stimulated me to view other series/movies consisting of such talented actors and that is where I got the concept of creating something that showed power and tribute to certain famous personalities who have been gradually making it to the top of the movie industry despite their circumstances.
My creation of a Billboard poster goes back to hand drawing the faces of these deaf actors to create a much more natural yet impactful poster that can be appreciated when one views it. People with hearing impairments are often individuals who are cast aside by society. But thanks to the power of true stories and filmmaking in the modern times, these actors get the chance to showcase their talents and struggles; therefore ending the society’s collective silence on deafness. This digital billboard poster is a tribute and an ode to the immense efforts put forth by these actors in the world of filmdom.
Before moving onto designing a digital billboard poster, I was inclined towards making a mood board with collage that would give me rough inspirations as to how I could proceed with the project.
To coin the term or the name of the billboard, I gave my project a hashtag : #deafactorsunite. I visioned this hashtag as a phrase of empowerment and support that the deaf actors bring to the table.
Following photographs depict my handmade sketches done for the eight deaf actors portrayed on the poster. These drawings are done with micro tip pens and alcohol markers to give it a touch of contrasting boldness; thus showing the essence of these actors.
Lastly, this singular mock-up gives a glimpse and a rough vision as to how a billboard or an advertisement board can look like with this poster on digital display for everyone to hit pause on their daily lives and view.
