Dr. FoolsgoldThis 2016 project was completed by Hannah Rich, Jonny Keay, Katie Hitchin, and Ian Snelling on a cross-course collaboration, uniting different student skills.
Tasked with creating an interactive installation piece, this group brought to life the imaginary apothecary of a faceless fraud named Dr. Foolsgold. Their old-timey shop used humour and satire to speak on the dangers of fear-based marketing and how it preys on customers who have blind faith. |
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set designThis set-piece was well-stocked with home remedies based on old wives' tales, myths, and superstitions about health and beauty. The designers put Mr. Foolgold in business in the 1920s when healthcare and cosmetics were changing and used Art Deco packaging to attract clientele.
The project asked: how far are pharmaceutical fraudsters willing to go? And, should we take beauty products at face value? |
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At the Integrated Creativity Exhibition at Sunderland's Design Centre, visitors could interact with this make-believe apothecary and handle the products. Every item told innocent half-truths from afar, but the labels revealed sham ingredients.
Hannah worked as Project Leader after her The Blind Leading The Blind poster about fortune-telling inspired the message. She gained interior design skills from hunting for old furniture and accessories; and created stylised illustrations for the beauty products. Her line drawings were accompanied by a jazz age colour palette and era-appropriate font styles. |
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