Qualitative Content Analysis of a College Campus and Its Transit Hub Graffiti, Posters, and Advertisements During the AI Revolution

Recent global political events have contributed to increased protest activity, visual messaging, and political expression on many university campuses. While much contemporary activism and advertising occur through algorithmically driven digital platforms, less is known about the continued role of physical visual communication in public spaces during the AI era. This study examines the presence and themes of posters, graffiti, stickers, placards, and related visual artifacts surrounding the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus and its associated transit hubs. Using qualitative visual content analysis, we documented 782 visual items (x̄ = 78.2, σ = 107.9) across the UBC bus exchange and nine connecting transit hubs over a one-month period. Autoethnographic observations collected between 2023 and 2025 complemented the analysis. NVivo 14 was used to code the artifacts, resulting in three primary themes: (1) political activism, (2) commercial and community advertising, and (3) event and concert promotion. The findings indicate that posters, graffiti, and stickers remain important components of urban visual communication, serving multiple functions including ideological messaging, economic advertising, and community engagement. Despite the expansion of AI-driven digital media and targeted online advertising, traditional visual communication continues to shape urban semiotic landscapes and facilitate the circulation of political, commercial, and cultural messages in public spaces.