Defeathered: Bird Ops Declassified
“Know the truth”
CONCEPT
It is no secret that our government spies on us, but the truth is far more sinister. Enter Defeathered: Bird Ops Declassified, an exhibit unraveling the United States’ untold history of feathered espionage on its citizens. Learn how our birds have been hijacked and turned into surveillance drones, how the drones function, and how you can better protect yourself in your daily life.
This project is an imagined collaborative effort between the American Bird Conservancy, a large bird conservation specialist, and Birds Aren’t Real, a popular satirical movement whose sole cause is to promote the narrative that birds are not real and are instead drones commissioned by our government to spy on us. In the spirit of hilarious irony, these organizations join forces to raise money for the American Bird Conservancy while simultaneously increasing interest in the Birds Aren’t Real movement.
**This project is a GDUSA 2021 American Graphic Design Awards Winner!
VOICE
Satirical, Deadpan, Urgent
WORK
+ Name and Logo
+ Interactive, to-scale exhibit of a 60’x50’ space
+ Exhibit tickets and wallet cards
+ Advertisements via mailer/poster, social media, and OOH.
POSITIONING
The exhibition is set up for a limited amount of time in public parks around the country near ten major metropolitan areas. Admission is free in order to attract as many visitors as possible. The draw of the exhibit is to learn, experience, and immerse oneself in the story of a funny movement, but ultimately the purpose is to fundraise for the American Bird Conservancy. They are sponsoring the exhibit with the calculated expectation that visitors will donate to their cause.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
+ How far can the conspiracy theory and humor be pushed, and which pieces have yet to be considered?
+ Are there expected and unexpected references that can expand and add to the depth of the joke without muddling its original punchline?
+ How can the joke be made even more relevant to the audience?
+ Which elements of the concept lend themselves to three-dimensional components, and which ones are better presented two-dimensionally? Which ones can be shown as both?
ADVERTISING
The advertising distills the entire exhibit down to one message: “know the truth.” In fast-paced scenarios like a subway station or on social media, the message is direct and immediate. In a more intimate (and tastefully invasive) setting, the audience receives a mailer to their home that is attention grabbing and lets them have an extended interaction with the brand.
