Graphic design and illustration
at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts

Kick-start 2017: Funfair of politics

The Kick-start ("Pangstart") of the academic year is an annual tradition for all the graphic design and illustration students. A parliamentary election was to be held in September 2017, so this year's challenge to the students was: Build a funfair of politics!

  • We often compare politics with a circus, but maybe a funfair would be a more accurate comparison. A funfair has a broad range of rides and activities that attract different target groups. We can choose to take the horse carousel or the ghost train, the tax cuts or the family values.
  • The Kick-start began with Arne Grønnesby from Thomas Tivoli who gave a lecture on what makes a good funfair. Afterwards, a representative from each party introduced their party programme for the students. The students formed groups, and each group was supposed to build a carnival ride or some kind of funfair activity based on a party programme. Finally, after two busy days of carpentry and co-operation, a funfair of politics was raised in the Birkelunden park.
  • Photos: Ylva Greni Gulbrandsen
  • Text: Ida Bakken