For this Poster Monday spot we are featuring a graphic designer from St. Petersburg, Russia, Julia Remizova for her poster “World Suicide Prevention Day. Please, learn the signs when your friend might need your help”. “I’ve studied linguistics at university, and though I don’t have any formal training either in visual arts or in graphic design, and I haven’t been working as a graphic designer (at least, not yet), I’m very much interested in and inspired by poster design. I’m very fond of genre blending, and in my art works I tend to mix illustrations, paintings, and poster design. I guess, unlike many graphic designers, I see graphic design more as art than a craft, so firstly I begin creating an art work, and then, if I think that it’s applicable to poster design, I’d alter it a bit to fit into common criteria” tell us Julia.

So this particular work, “World Suicide Prevention Day” firstly was made without thinking about graphic design, and then I assumed that it would be a nice poster to educate people about the topic. The World Suicide Prevention Day is very important, of course, since (sadly) suicide is among leading causes of death worldwide. And it’s a very complicated issue to talk about, because there’re still a lot of shaming, denial and general misunderstanding around it. And though the awareness days are a great way to educate people, it’s crucial to remember that suicides happen every day (it’s obvious and it does sound scary). And even not being health care specialists many times we’re able to help.
On the background there’re words “I just want someone to hug me and tell me that I’m worth living”. And this is actually what we can do to help, if we feel something is wrong, it really helps to ask, are you okay, let’s talk. Asking questions rather than ignoring the issue is what helps a person with suicidal thoughts feel connected, not disconnected.

What do you think about it?
If you would like to know more about Julias’s work visit her website and remember to submit your poster for the next edition of Poster Monday. Find all the info you need in our submissions page, and facebook .