You have options to keep the originally designed statement or choose to leave it out. This allows you the chance to use the design more interpretively for your cause.
The cause-related categories of GP are not limited by future categories, expansions, editorial revisions or addition projects. See the following list of current categories: Cause-related focuses at this time:
- Saving the Planet / Environmental Awareness
- Substance Abuse / DUII / Mental Health Awareness
- Poor People Skills / Abuse Awareness
- Unhealthy Weight Loss Awareness
- Animal Abuse is a future area of consideration
A bit of history
The drug and alcohol category was one of the first cause-related areas that we worked with some time ago. We had support from several nonprofits — including support from (at that time) Californians for Drug-Free Youth — and garnered support from the local police as well as connection with regional (DEA) Drug Enforcement Administration. The design from that category was well received and has since evolved with editorial and artistic updates and additional designs to the category. The most focus area are themes around saving the planet.
The idea of Generic People
The way the themes and Characters of GP are developed is by focusing on the interest that connects us to the world and how they interact with our audience. We focus on developing innovative perspectives built around a base of cultural artifacts and social objects.
To accomplish this the art and the overarching story of GP is intended to be built upon more than a string of unrelated cartoon-scribbles — or a conveyor belt of potty room jokes.
The theme of GP is not to preach and tell one what to think, but rather encouraging one to consider the possibilities of choices and dilemmas encountered within the larger narrative of GP matriculating through life’s school of hard knocks. (Read more about the GP characters and their genies).
How it’s developed
GP incorporates a kind of inkblot test. All the designs are intended to be a kind of comic Rorschach Test. What does the viewer see and what does that reflect in their thought processes and premise of thought. In another way, we try to use a liberal application of the indefinite article. For example: “company policy is that we do not refer to something as your_____________ but rather the ____________was found in in conjunction with a yet to be determined item”. On occasion, it is also deemed appropriate to use the definite article.
An example of the inkblot
What could the GP character symbolize? As drawn, consider what the multiple symbolism is and from some of the possibilities mentioned above? This should have multiple answers. What can fire symbolize? It consumes, it warms, it brings light to the darkness, It protects, but it can also bring pain and death and imply sinister intent or just strong disapproval. It can be a source of renewal, passion (the heart burned with fire), drive (driven by an unquenchable fire). These are representations of strong feelings, thoughts, spirituality, and destruction. In many cultures, fire is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.
