The Obama 08 Sticker Collection: A Political Design Breakthrough
The Obama 08 Sticker Collection
Collection includes posters, t-shirts, bumper stickers, hats and other campaign merchandise. Also newspapers and magazines related to the 2008 presidential campaign and inauguration.
The image of a vehicle with an Obama 08 sticker has gone viral on Facebook walls and in e-mail forwards. The origin of the image is unclear, but the message conveyed is not.
Size
Original 2008 campaign sticker printed after the election of Barack Obama. He served as President from 2009 to 2017 and U.S Senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008. He is the first African-American President.
Bumper sticker with portrait of Barack Obama wearing a white dress shirt and grey patterned necktie on blue oval background. Text reads “Obama is Unbwogable!” in three lines with dark blue lettering.
Let the world outside of your car know what you believe in with CafePress Barack Obama Bumper Stickers. Make others aware of your cause or show off your family and their accomplishments with the widest selection of customizable bumper decals and car stickers online. Your car’s bumper is valuable real estate. Why don’t you make the most of it with CafePress? This is a reproduction of an art print by Shepard Fairey, originally published in 2008. It features a silhouette of President-elect Barack Obama, surrounded by the words “Hope and Change.” This edition was printed on thick cling vinyl.
Material
Street artist and graphic designer Shepard Fairey created this iconic portrait of Barack Obama in 2008 as a form of grassroots activism to support his candidate’s first presidential campaign. He based it on an Associated Press photograph taken by Mannie Garcia and used his signature high-contrast stencil technique to create a striking image inspired by Soviet Socialist Realism. The image, known as “Hope,” went viral when it was printed on posters and stickers and distributed in a variety of ways by devoted supporters. It became the most recognizable symbol of the Obama campaign and spawned a variety of spoofs and imitations.
These stickers were printed with a UV-coated silkscreen pantone process on weatherproof, outdoor quality vinyl. They have adhesive backings and can be applied to most smooth surfaces. The stickers come in three color variations: one is circular with the portrait and “Barack Obama” in red lettering below; another is shaped like the stylized flag of the United States with the portrait superimposed on it; and the third is in the shape of a starburst with the portrait of Barack Obama in white to the left of “One Love.” All proceeds from the sale of these stickers will go towards creating more political sticker art by Obey Giant artists.
Printing Process
After the design is finalized, it needs to be printed on sticker paper or vinyl. Sticker papers are more affordable and can be used for short-term applications, while vinyl is more durable and ideal for long-term use. Both are available in glossy or matte finish options.
Before printing, make sure that the sticker file is within the bleed lines and safe area. Also, check that the stickers are properly aligned. Then, double-check that the file is saved and ready for production.
Finally, select the paths that need to be cut out and change the color to [Stroke]. Then click on [Window] – [Swatches] – [Roland VersaWorks].
Before starting a business selling stickers, decide what type of customers you want to target. This will help you create a design that will stand out from the competition and convey your message. It is recommended that you start by sketching out a rough idea of the layout and composition of your stickers.
Design
The Obama logo was a major breakthrough in political campaign design. It evoked a rising sun, and like the Nike swoosh it became an instantly recognizable symbol of the candidate’s brand. While politicians usually use a hodgepodge of fonts, the Obama team used a uniform font called Gotham. This helped the message to be clear and focused.
Shepard Fairey’s stylized stencil portrait of Barack Obama in red, white and blue became the most recognizable image of the campaign. The image was widely circulated online and printed on posters and stickers. It is now in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Both the logo and the image were part of a larger strategy designed to transform politics. Sol Sender, who designed the logo, and Scott Thomas, the director of new media design, spoke about their process at a sold-out lecture at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. Both men are skeptical that their design aesthetic will become the standard for campaigns in the future, but they have certainly created a buzz.