Shir Agranat

The Brandbook of the Jewish Apocalypse

A contingency plan brand book for the end of the world, as depicted by apocalyptical prophecies in the Jewish Faith, and a critical look at how the IDF Spokesperson Unit shapes the narrative in Israel. So, when the Jewish Apocalypse is coming, at least we will have a brandbook.

Context
BA graduation project, Visual Communication
School
Bezalel Academy of Art and Design
Scope
Visual language, brand book, posters
Recognition
Excellency in Israeli Design Award, 2020
Press
Haaretz (Hebrew) ↗
The printed brandbook with its embossed emblem on a navy cover
Brandbook spread 1

The Challenge

Dissecting and Restructuring Propaganda

During my mandatory service I served as the IDF’s social media manager. I had to navigate the IDF’s social media platforms, while understanding and using methods of Israeli propaganda. As I began my research, I returned to the posts we uploaded and analyzed the terminology, the imagery and the visual language, using the tools I acquired at the academy and a critical perspective.

The IDF Facebook post from July 2014
The Facebook post by the IDF on the day the operation began, July 2014

The Process

Visual Motives

I widened the research both conceptually and visually:

  • How is the war ethos portrayed in graphic design in general?
  • What are the patterns and tropes we see in the Israeli propaganda?
  • What are the core visual references in Israeli and Jewish militaristic propaganda?
Research board of Israeli and Jewish militaristic imagery
Gog and Magog poster
Gog and Magog poster
Gog and Magog poster

Visual language for Gog & Magog War

Daniel vision poster
Daniel vision poster
Daniel vision poster
Daniel vision poster

Visual language for Daniel Vision

The Prophecies

Getting Inspired by Stories of Apocalyptical Prophecies of the Jewish Faith

For composing the brand book of the apocalypse, I looked for the right one.

I researched many mythologies and scenarios, but I was inspired the most by the Jewish Faith’s prophecies of wrath. This is the apocalypse I have been looking for: both local and imaginary. It provides for me a way to criticize through exaggeration and mimicry and create a deeper allegory.

The first prophecy is about Gog, the King of Magog. He is prophesied to be Israel’s greatest enemy that will bring the nation’s doom.

The second prophecy is Daniel’s vision from the book of Daniel, that tells the story of four beasts that will rise from the sea and bring the beginning of the end.

Sketches for the brandbook posters
Sketches for Posters
The printed brandbook
The printed brandbook
The printed brandbook
The printed brandbook

Photo credit: Daniel Hanoch, Tom Gan-Or