RANSOM NOTES

Ransom notes are created using a range of juxtaposed typefaces. Words are usually formed from letters that have been cut out from either magazines or newspapers, which avoids any possibility of someone recognising the handwriting etc. Normally, a ransom note will be sent out by someone who has taken someone or something hostage, asking for payment in return for their/its safety. Once the demands are met, usually the person or item will be returned undamaged. 

An interesting campaign was put together by the NYU Child Study Centre, titled 'ransom notes'.

http://osocio.org/message/provocative_ransom_notes_on_childhood_mental_illness/

The website states 'The NYU Child Study Center just launched a new campaign called ”Ransom Notes” to draw attention to childhood psychiatric disorder. This in-your-face approach has created a lot of controversy. 

The Ransom Notes campaign is designed as a provocative wake up to create awareness and spark dialogue about the disorders. The campaign features scrawled and typed communiqués as well as simulations of classic ransom notes, composed of words clipped from a newspaper.'

NYU Child Study Center: “The idea behind the “Ransom Notes” is that, all too often, untreated psychiatric disorders are holding our children hostage. These disorders rob children of the ability to learn, make and keep friends and enjoy life."

This whole style of campaign has proved really interesting. Meaning aside, the appearance of some of them is something that could influence this project, particularly the photocopies and cut out sentences. They give off a really gritty image, and hold an extremely dark meaning. This sort of amateur style is something that might work within my mail shots.