Rationale - Index

Idea

In an ironic and somewhat darkly humorous twist of fate the inventor of the safety pin, Walter Hunt, died at the age of 63 from gangrene caused by a pinprick. A fact that is certain to make anyone scoff at the irony, it was the perfect idea for a poster.

Semiotics

In terms of Pierce's semiotics, this is categorised as an index. This is because what is visually communicated does not directly show the object in question but does, however, have a connection to the research as well as communicate the direct consequences of a safety pin. If a safety pin is the object and a pinprick is the cause then a plaster represents the connection. One of the earliest examples of an index that Pierce gave is the relationship between a murderer and his victim. This is a perfect example, as here the relationship between Hunt's death and what killed him is visually communicated.

Visual Communication / Design Principles

Photography is used to visually show the plasters, arranged as if in a hurry - desperate and in pain. The contrast between light and dark is high; creating drama and a sense of panic. The dark, blank background suggests nothingness - a cold and empty space. Furthermore, two images have been layered on top of one another to indicate a person's hands being outstretched in disbelief or at the realisation of death. The opacity has been lowered so that parts of the fingers are blurred and transparent to visually communicate hallucinations and temporary insanity - symptoms of severe gangrene. The image was further developed through the use of collage. Subtly, parts of the image are distorted or simply removed - to portray the lack of sanity and finally death.

Links to Research 

In today's society with modern medicine, we would simply treat a pinprick with a plaster, however, in 1859 at the time of Hunt's death there was not the same knowledge as today, causing him to get gangrene - a serious and painful condition. The image visually communicating Hunt's death via plaster in such a dramatic way gives a subtle nod to the irony of his death - such a simple solution, that just wasn't available at the time.