The Effectiveness of Mascots Graphic Design and its Usage to Enhance Awareness Efforts of water Issues Globally

Abstract:

Since ancient times, artists have used symbolic graphics and directed them to serve functional purposes. For the cultural content of graphic arts, Art is no longer represents reality or simulate nature, but has become an activity based on aesthetic experience, which reflects human activities in a symbolic language, in which pictorial formats are used, represents the characteristics of culture and societal identity, redefine hidden essential relationships the as artists did in the past. Art contributes an influential role in correcting behaviors, regulating traditions, and reducing negative societal habits.



At the present time, attention is being paid to climate change issues, challenges faced by the peoples of the world, especially the issues of managing water resources, reducing waste of water and pollution. Graphic communication arts contribute to supporting environmental sustainability issues. Water mascots, which are charismatic characters, are created and designed to become a distinctive symbol for visual communication applications, associated with national environmental institution, or civil society organizations concerned with water issues. The design of advertising mascots characters relates to creating an object, taken its virtual environment, to be part of a new physical installation and a different visual context, contribute to arousing viewer’s interest and directing him to take action. The aesthetic character is formed accompanying the psychological effect. In addition to achieving the propaganda or indicative goals that are supported by the meanings and semantics included.



Statement of Problem

Water issues occupy a large part of the world's attention, The Middle East and the Arab region are among the world's most water-scarce regions, and the situation is getting worse due to the effects of conflicts, climate change, economic difficulties, and increasing population growth. The water crisis has become a threat to the region's stability, human development, and sustainable growth. This calls for benefiting from the graphic skills and design solutions used in educational advertising materials in regions facing similar problems in the world, as graphic treatments for designing water mascots vary in different countries, according to the societal identity and diversity of cultures.



Research Objective

Highlighting the role of graphic treatments in raising awareness of water issues globally, and monitoring artistic methods and design patterns for water mascots in a number of countries, with the aim of encouraging environmental organizations and designers in the Arab world to benefit from the visual impact of graphics in addressing water issues, and enhancing awareness of them in Arab societies.