(Stick Figure Campaign)

New research about the way people's brains work when making health behavior decisions inspired the Gannett staff to change the kinds of alcohol prevention posters distributed around campus. The research suggests that when we follow simple “gist” principles we are more likely to make low-risk decisions. "Research shows that young people who endorse simple 'gist' principles tend to avoid unhealthy risks. Understanding the bottom-line consequences of risk, not just memorizing them, is key," explains Valerie Reyna, Professor of Psychology at Cornell. Gannett's new series of alcohol prevention posters conveys “gist” messages through the use of silly stick figure drawings.  

How they work

Posters were design to focus attention on the stick figure drawings. Typically, the figures are partying, sometime with a drink—presumably of alcohol—but not always. The drawings convey a simple message, question or dilemma.

Below the picture, in brightly-colored lettering, is the main prevention message. This is the quick “take away” message, one that can be gleaned from a passing glance. Below the main message, for someone who stops to read more closely, is more text with an expanded explanation of the main message. 

Campaign messages 

Posters were produced with a variety of prevention message related to alcohol.

• Five of the posters provide safety tips for people who drink alcohol. This harm reduction approach recognizes the reality that most students come to college with some experience with alcohol and some ways of consuming alcohol are safer than others.
  Stick to the buzz (pdf)
  Set a limit. Enjoy the buzz. (pdf)
  Stick to the beer. Stick to the buzz. (pdf)
  More is not always better. (pdf)
  Go for quality, not quantity. (pdf)
• Two of the posters are aimed at friends helping friends in the face of a potential dangerous situation with alcohol, for example, when someone requires immediate medical attention from alcohol poisoning.
  Block sketchy hook-ups. (pdf)
  Call 911 to be sure. (pdf)
• Two posters support not drinking alcohol, whether that is a decision one makes from time to time or all the time.
  Be your own buzz. (pdf)
  Know when to HALT. (pdf)
• One poster is designed to get people thinking about when drinking becomes problematic.
  Kinda scary when drinking . . . (pdf)
  
• Two of the posters are designed specifically for Cornell's end-of-the-year celebration, entitled "Slope Day."
  Stick to the Slope (pdf)
  Eat real food. And plenty of it (pdf)
  
• Finally, the last poster is specifically targeted to varsity athletes.
  Alcohol and peak athletic performance don't mix. (pdf)

Message distribution

Posters are being distributed widely across campus— in residence halls, academic buildings, athletic buildings, fraternities and sororities. Free posters (of a particular image or full sets of the 11 poster series) can be obtained by e-mailing Gannett's Communications Specialist.

Design team

Our stick people are the children of Gannett staff members Jennifer Austin and Deborah Lewis. Alcohol Prevention Coordinator, Lewis, conceptualized a poster series with stick people and identified general messages to addressed the primary concerns regarding alcohol use on the Cornell campus. Austin, the Communications Specialist, brought the concept to reality, designing the poster images and refining the prevention messages. Their mission for the poster series? KISSP (Keep It Simple Stick People). Jennifer and Deborah welcome feedback. You may e-mail them directly or phone 255-4782 during business hours.