Being a open-source enthusiast and casual Linux user, I happen to be a member of the UP Linux Users’ Group (UnPLUG). In one of their meetings, they have discussed the problems they have encountered in the recruitment process, and as a new school year begins, its advertising time for most of the student organizations in UP.
The goal I had for the ad campaign is to keep the statements as simple but as striking as possible. The color is black text against white background, and the graphics are kept to a minimum (the only graphic is the UnPLUG logo in the lower right) to prevent any “distractions” to the message, as well as making the posters photocopy-friendly. The target locations/market of the first three posters are for the general, non-hardcore-geek public who might be interested in Linux but don’t really know where to start.
Considering how easy it is to join UnPLUG (as the message says, we only need your curiosity and advocacy – heck we don’t even have the traditional applicant process that most UP orgs have, let alone have a re-aff fee), a lot of individuals don’t quite know how to approach us. Its also in the ad, with a link that signs you up to a Google form or can drop a text by one of our members.
So here they are, ranging from the main ad to the most daring ones.
You Don't Have to be a Geek
User-Friendly is a Myth
Wala ka sa Lolo Ko
Sudo Join Us
This ad was targeted in locations where students would generally know Linux, being exposed in it during their programming classes, but fail to see Linux’s use beyond that. It admittedly uses the XKCD webcomic pun as well.
Makibaka Huwag Matakot
This last ad is a bit edgy, but some of us said “what the heck”. After all, UP does have different flavors of activism, and that’s what’s important. We may not be taking our battle to the streets, but the advocacies we are fighting for are equally important as well. In this age of information, we strive to give more people access to computers, thus empowering them bit by bit (or byte by byte, if you know what I mean).
UPDATE: in the spirit of Open Source, here are the original XCF (GIMP) copies of the ads in 8.5×11 inches poster format.
