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Half sheet British propaganda poster from World War II, titled "Keep a Guard on What You Say".
Historical Background
Artist: It was designed by the prominent British graphic designer Abram Games (1914–1996). Games was a Jewish artist who eventually became the Official War Poster Artist in 1942, creating around 100 posters for the British Army alone.
Date: This specific poster was designed and issued by the War Office in 1941.
Purpose: It was part of a nationwide campaign to warn soldiers and civilians about the dangers of "careless talk". The concern was that loose talk in public could inadvertently leak sensitive military information to enemy spies.
Visual Meaning
The poster is known for its clever use of a visual pun to convey its message with minimal text:
The Guard: The mouth of the stylized face is shaped like a sentry box (a small shelter for a guard).
The Sentry: Inside the "mouth," a white silhouette of a soldier stands at ease, holding a rifle and standing guard.
Symbolism: This imagery serves as a literal interpretation of the slogan, suggesting that one should have a "guard" at their mouth to stop any dangerous or indiscreet information from escaping.
Design Style
Games' work is characterized by a "maximum meaning, minimum means" ethos. This poster features:
Geometric Shapes: A highly stylized, colorful geometric face in shades of blue and purple.
Bold Contrast: The colorful central figure is set against a stark black background to make it stand out.
Dynamic Typography: The bold white text runs diagonally across the top to draw the viewer's eye. |
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