As Covid-19 sweeps the world and more people are holed up indoors, people are hungry for both information and entertainment.
Artists, writers, and designers, who are especially vulnerable to an economic downturn, are doing their part to fight the pandemic by staying indoors and making art. Interested in contributing to the spread of helpful information rather than the virus?
Here are some ideas for how to use your artistic skills to help others.
Infographics
There’s a lot of data, advice, and news out there that’s hidden in charts and long, boring articles. People greatly prefer to learn information in a visual way. If you’re a graphic designer, consider making an infographic to help people better understand Covid-19.
Infographics perform best with multi-step topics or complex information. For example, you could lay out a flowchart for the reader to determine whether or not they have the symptoms of Covid-19.
Comics and Cartoons
More than ever, people need humor in their lives. Whether you’re a political cartoonist, an empowerment comic artist, or simply want to illustrate how to wash your hands, the comic format is a versatile, engaging way to entertain and inform.
In light of Covid-19, many cartoonists are creating visual stories about the challenges of remote work, self-isolation, and safe grocery shopping. Illustrations Illustrators can tackle complicated topics with everything from highly symbolic imagery to detailed visual breakdowns.
For example, Swedish illustrator Sara Andreasson designed a line of matchsticks, half of which are burned out and half of which are unlit. In the middle, a single match steps out of line. The illustration symbolizes the importance of staying home and not spreading the disease.
Filmmakers
As many film productions have ground to a halt and events are canceled, filmmakers and photographers are turning their cameras to symbolic imagery. Others are capturing the emptiness of the public realm now that people are sheltered at home. As they say, a picture says a thousand words, and these artists are saying a lot.
Blogs and Essays
While many journalists and copywriters are diligently covering the pandemic, creative writers are providing bored people with beautiful stories and poems to read. Writers are exploring their thoughts and feelings about the pandemic and helping promote a global virtual community.
Meanwhile, bloggers — like this one! — are providing personal or informational perspectives on Covid-19 topics or helping instruct people on what to do during the pandemic.
Wrapping Up
When creating your Covid-19 art, ensure that if you are posting facts or figures, you’re using authoritative sources such as WHO or CDC. Be cautious not to accidentally spread misinformation about the virus. This is a time to be creative and strategic with our respective skills. By using your artistic skills for good, you can help people feel entertained, informed, and most importantly, connected during this global crisis