Brief Challenge – Plastic Pollution
This challenge is designed to push your creative vision further than before. Based on your feedback, this brief offers greater creative freedom - allowing you to shape both the concept and its execution.
You’ve been commissioned by the art director of TIME magazine to provide the front cover image exploring the issue of plastic pollution.
The title of the article is:
The Plastic Problem
The hidden legacy of plastic in our oceans, landscapes, and livesYour design should:
Create a visually compelling and engaging front cover for TIME Magazine (Photoshop document supplied below)
Communicate the theme of plastic pollution in a clear and impactful way
Balance strong imagery with thoughtful editorial layout
You are encouraged to explore concept, style, and visual storytelling - this brief is intentionally open to interpretation.
Mood Board:
We've put together a mood board on Pinterest to get your ideas flowing. We'd also encourage you to check out this article on Visual Education Member Jorge Reynal who won the Sony World Photography Awards Still Life competition with his stunning Ocean Pollution images. For even more inspiration, see Karl's project here.
The Template:
We've created a Photoshop template for you to use. While you can shoot any format you like for the image, it must also work to fit in the time cover template.
DEADLINE: 19th September 2026
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Comments
Hi Karl
Can we use a part of frame created by a printed backdrop or edited and added as background ? or everything has to be created in set ?