Six high school design students are getting the opportunity of a lifetime thanks to Clear Channel Outdoor. As part of a contest through the mentoring program Create! Don’t Hate, the students’ designs, which focus on the theme of tolerance, are being featured on Clear Channel’s “Spectacolor HD” digital billboard in Times Square.
I must commend Clear Channel Outdoor on this fantastic initiative. It is a wonderful way to use the flexibility and dynamic capabilities of digital out-of-home media to amplify the voice of the community. The student designs which tackle a range of issues, including gay rights, racism, and body image, dare patrons of Times Square to look away. Each winning design illustrates the students’ unflinching commitment to connect with the denizens of one of the most trafficked areas in the world. The young designers succeed in using Clear Channel’s digital platform to amplify the emotions embedded within their artwork.
Karin Satrom, a program mentor, worked with high school junior, Deanita Redwood, on a billboard about gay marriage that was selected for display. Karin says “Deanita was very excited from the beginning. She came in and drew out her concept. We worked together to refine it, but I am amazed by the maturity of her design. She is really looking forward to taking her family to Times Square and showing them her billboard.” Deanita agreed saying, “I think that having my design displayed in Times Square is the most incredible opportunity I could have hoped for. Hopefully the message will catch someone’s eye and change their mind. If only one person’s mind is changed about gay marriage then that’s enough for me, because that means Karin’s efforts and my efforts were truly worthwhile.”