London-based jewellery designer and creative director of Astley Clarke, Dominic Jones has teamed up with activist and TV presenter Billie JD Porter in a call to arms, urging young people to vote in next month’s election. In a campaign named Use Your Voice, the duo asked a series of British artists and designers to create bespoke images encouraging people to register to vote. With only a week before registration closes, they took to social media yesterday for a day of action, posting pieces created by Shrimps, Charles Jeffrey, Simone Rocha, Sam Bailey, Matthew Stone and more.
With those aged 25 and under making up 390,000 of the 930,000 people who have registered to vote since Theresa May called the snap election, there’s hope that young people are engaged in party policies and will exercise their right to influence the next five years of government. However, many feel that the current state of politics doesn’t reflect their needs, or even speak to them at all. As Jones highlights, the lives of young people have changed drastically over the past few decades, yet politics hasn’t caught up: "Things have evolved and yet politics hasn't. That leaves young people out of the loop. It's not that they don't care, it's just no one is talking them through what it's all about and why they should be engaged."
So why did Jones decide to collaborate with artists and designers on Use Your Voice? “I wanted to share the message, so it made sense to ask people who can create beautiful exciting imagery and that already have an audience themselves,” he explains. “The idea was to get young people who aren't necessarily engaged with the news to get the message – everything is communicated and marketed via social media now, so I thought I would do my best to get the word out.”
Hopefully, young voters will turn out on 8th June to make their voices heard. Click through to see the artwork created for the project and share to encourage your friends and family to register to vote.
British fashion brand Shrimps used an overlay on a classic Vincent Van Gogh painting to say, "Very Important Announcement: There's only ONE week left to register to vote, don't lose out on your chance to have a say on your future!"
Designer Cozette McCreery creates a cut 'n' paste slogan, saying, "YOU HAVE 1 WEEK LEFT! Don't feel like your country has been held to #ransom HAVE YOUR SAY"
Illustrator Rob Whoriskey urges, "Don't be a Russell Brand. Please register to vote. For the love of fuck – even just to let them know you're not fine with what they're up to."
Illustrator Katie Scott uses her signature botanical print to encourage voters.
Fashion designer Simone Rocha 's call to arms is an embroidered image.
Artist Unskilled Worker used their workstation to make a statement, saying, "BECAUSE THEY ARE RUINING YOURS!!!!!"
Designer Charles Jeffrey colourfully illustrated his message: "Be bold and ask the people around you if they have registered. If they haven't give them a verbal boot in the baws and get them to go online it takes 5 mins!"
Artist Matthew Stone used his graphic aesthetic, stating, "Young voters could swing this election if they turn up!"
Model Jack Laver 's photo lay is a bleak but powerful image.
Menswear designer Liam Hodges creates a dystopian green, black and white image for his contribution to the project.
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