Thanks also to Melanie for letting me know about Pedlars range. I was particularly interested in the Welsh version:

Gan bwyll a daliwch ati

Subverted images are always fascinating, and tell us a lot about connections with the time that the original poster was produced, and the time that the subverted image appears - in this example at a time of attempted re-election for George Bush.

“View a collection of anti-war cartoons, remixed propaganda posters, and other parody art expressing political dissent” on anti-war cartoons and propaganda parodies.

And it continues today on Air New Zealand’s Grab-A-Seat website. I’m sure Air New Zealand wouldn’t countenance displaying a Nazi propaganda poster extolling “Blood, Soil and Sacrifice” and copies of Mein Kampf as an inducement to buy seats on their flights, but right there on their website exhorting you to fly the friendly skies to Hong Kong is this image ripped directly from a Maoist propaganda poster from the Cultural Revolution – you know, that fun time in China when thought police ruled and around 7,731,000 people were brutally murdered by for not following the diktats of Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book, which our peasant friend clutches to his breast:”

Read the full story on this blog.

Introduction
Human behaviour is a very complex area. This document draws on key sources from the disciplines of social psychology, economics and behavioural economics (where the first two disciplines overlap). We have sought to distil this information into some key factors that are important to consider for anyone developing communications that seek to influence behaviour, and to develop a framework for applying these factors to the development of a communications strategy.

In this document

What influences people’s behaviour?

This section outlines some of the key factors that influence behaviour. It draws on a range of social psychological theories and includes three examples of behavioural models. The section also gives an overview of the key principles of behavioural economics and of the best known theories of change. Case studies provide a practical illustration of how models and theories have been used to inform government communications.

Embedding behavioural theory

A five-step framework shows how, by increasing our understanding of behaviour, behavioural theory can help to define the role for communications and build a communications model. The Department of Health’s Tobacco Control campaign is used to show how each step of the process might work in practice. The section concludes with a summary of the steps and a series of questions designed to stimulate thinking at each stage.

Conclusions and future implications

This section lists the main conclusions emerging from the report, then goes on to consider some of the key implications for communicators.

Next steps

Finally, this section suggests some areas for future discussion aimed at embedding behaviour change theory in communications development.

Download

• Communications and behaviour change (PDF 2.3MB)

For further information contact behaviourchange@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Taken from: COI Website. As my thesis focused upon the posters produced by the Ministry of Information in the Second World War, and the MOI became the COI, I am really interested in this report, particularly as this report focuses upon behavioural change, which was one of the indicators I was looking for within my thesis, although I was not using specific behavioural theories, that was a line I’ve become interested in developing, as I am really interested in a longitudinal study of government publicity, with a particular interest in health campaigns – and have been chatting to Beyond Chocolate about some of the research they have done.

See press release if interested in getting involved.

April 2009 (also see October 2009, and a commentary)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRmpJ_dORXA]

1945

“In the tradition of “Keep Calm and Carry On”, these cute pink pocket mirrors provide an updated perspective while maintaining the typographical integrity of the original wartime poster.

Read about the history of “Keep Calm and Carry On” right here: http://www.barterbooks.co.uk/keepcalm.php

This perfect pocket/handbag/purse mirror is 2.25″. The image is protected with mylar and the mirror is glass. A great size for checking on your lippy.”

I might have to buy one, what about you?

Inspired by the WW2 campaign, this event is taking the “credit crunch” head on an offering visitors an alternative way to get their fashion fix. A selection of many fantastic Oxfam pieces will be strutted up the catwalk and then auctioned off.

Expect a fun filled day with a whole host of stalls selling everything from vintage accessories to wedding dresses, as well as the “Customisation Corner” where visitors can take pieces to be customised, swap shops, an exhibition area, and live bands and DJs.

And, to top it off we have a fabulous catwalk show created from pieces kindly donated and all available for you to get your hands on in our super auction to follow.

But there is, of course, a very serious point to all of this fun and frolics. Due to the current poor economy, The Chelsea Oxfam feel as though it’s more crucial now than ever that people start taking notice of charities, who are even more in need at this time. This is a fantastic chance for you to get involved see what we do, what we believe in and how we plan to achieve our goals: How to be Humankind.

We hope that the event will raise awareness of the fashion world and how our culture engorges on disposable fashion. Long gone are the days when you would save up in order to afford a piece of good quality clothing. Now, it’s so much easier to pop into a high street discount store and purchase a cheap knock off version in exchange for a couple of pounds. And, the result is: people constantly buying and throwing away every time a new trend jumps into the spotlight.

‘Make Do and Mend’ is all about breathing life into old existing garments. Whether it be swapping them with a friend (it will feel brand new to you), cutting up an old pair of jeans you haven’t dug out the back of your wardrobe, or purchasing a garment from a charity shop – where your money will be going to a worth cause.

For more information on the event (where you can get tickets etc), ideas on how to “Make Do and Mend” and much more, make sure you keep coming back to this page, where we will be posting regularly!

Saturday 28th November, St Mary’s Church, Marylebone

Doors open: 2.pm
Catwalk show: 6.pm
Auction: 7.15.pm
Live Music 8.30 – 10.pm

** If you would like to get involved, and to volunteer your services, for this event then we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Philippa Hall (philippa_hall[at]hotmail.co.uk) or Carys Rolley (carysrolley[at]hotmail.co.uk) **

****TICKETS: AVAILABLE FROM: THE OXFAM STORE: 432 KING’S ROAD, CHELSEA OR ON THE DOOR AT THE EVENT! ****

Oxfam is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 202918) and Scotland (SCO 039042).
Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International

(Take from information on Facebook Event)

Some two million copies of it were printed, but they remained in storage throughout the war, presumably because the British stayed, mostly, calm throughout.

A few years ago, one of the old posters was rediscovered by a bookseller from Northumberland, and the rest is (new) history. At least one marketing company has seized on the striking design as a motto for our own troubled times, slapping it on to posters, bags, deckchairs, cufflinks and, most appropriately, mugs for the sort of hot sweet tea the WRVS used to hand out at bomb sites.

The sans-serif typeface and minimalist crown logo are a masterpiece of modernism. Sadly, the patriot who came up with the idea remains anonymous, buried in the tomb of the unknown spin doctor.

Original Article: Independent

• Christmas Gifts at the Imperial War Museum
• Sterephonics Album: Guardian Review
• Etsy debate as to the origin of the term
• Simon Calder: Predictions for a “Winter of Discontent“
• Humour On Tour
• Duxbury Art Association
• Shop selling posters are “Best of Toronto“
• Random Esquire makes a purchase
• Nostalgia shops are blooming!
• “Keep Calm and Carry Me” Babygro THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST FIND OF THE WEEK!
• Cheryl Cole deals with musical success
• “Over It“
• Khaleej Times (well written, but inaccurate about the posters being up!)
• Brought into the breakfast debate!
• Home decoration (how does that change it’s meaning?); and again
• Affirmations for the iPhone?
• As an inspirational musing?
• Breathe Deep… (subversion); and again
• Spoof Calendars; guy version
• The little book makes a reappearance!
• Keep Calm and Ride On
• Cards to buy (along with every other combination that you can think of on Etsy!)
• Screensaver
• Used by developers
• A cliché?
• Remember when reading healthcare articles!
• Part of an awesome home makeover
• Review of the Left Press
• A daily reminder; Gift tags
• An analysis of the design style.
• Keep Calm and Curry On
• “Fantasy English“

An interesting mix, eh? I have so much information I could add (maybe not specifically on Keep Calm and Carry On, but more generically about posters), but life is kinda getting in the way, so slow and steady it will be!