The Limits

What are the limits on or challenges to graphic design as a vehicle for social change?

First, design on its own can only go so far. Without the organizations and activists working tirelessly to make change happen, a piece of graphic design, however loud it shouts, is over and done with rather quickly. In the fight for social justice, how long you shout, in strategic intervals of intensity, matters most. If the people on the ground aren’t there, change doesn’t happen.

Second, I worry about design for social justice being drown out by the thousands upon thousands of messages created every day for big brands with big budgets. Brands that most often push their consumer-focused answers to invented problems in their hyper-commodified version of the world on the airwaves and Internet streams they seek to dominate.

Additionally, when brands do raise awareness for important issues dealing with community, humanity, love, and the planet, their product-focused solutions remain problematic. If people take a consumer-centric view of these problems, that these very real problems are solved by buying specific products, there’s a false sense created that our challenges can be addressed without actively participating in the creation of meaningful solutions that are more difficult, less instantaneous, and are not as easy to see.

The Relationship

What exactly is the relationship between design and social change?

Designers who take on issues of social justice I think work in three ways. 1) There’s the solo designer using design to express his or her views. This can be done by participating in online poster sites for a cause, in design exhibitions, or by simply posting up designs on the streets of a neighborhood. 2) On a project by project basis, a designer works with organizations and activists using his or her skills to create design work used by the people working on the issues day in, day out. Either paid or pro bono. 3) The designer is part of the movement. With a stake in the fight, he or she is an integral part of an organization where different tools are used to move people to action. Design work is done alongside community organizers, strategists, fundraisers, activists on the ground, and so on.

When In It

In the creative moment, the groove. When you are trying like hell to make it happen. Bombardment, debris flying everywhere. Trying to get it all done... Rhythm, rhythm, move, shake. Nuthin’ but a G thang. Random cultural sounds, visuals, twists get thrown in and spun about. Pick it up, throw it down. How do you see it? How does it make you feel? How can it be new again? Where is the why? Why, always why? And then, when does it come together?

Design + Social Justice: Panel Discussion

Part of UNL’s Design + Social Justice Symposium, a panel discussion will take place with Emory Douglas, Billy X Jennings, Suzun Lucia Lamaina, and myself. It will be moderated by Patrick Jones, Associate Professor of History and Ethnic Studies (African and African American Studies Program). His initial setup for the discussion follows:

What is the relationship between design and social change? How does graphic design – and visual culture, communicate a message; create community; educate the people; uplift and empower; foster a sense of identity and pride; sway opinion; change hearts and minds; affect institutions of power; and, ultimately, play a role in creating meaningful and substantive social change? In short, what role(s) does (or can) design and the visual arts play in creating “a revolutionary culture” and “radical change?”

Panel Discussion
September 16, 2015 @ 5:30 PM
Love Library Auditorium
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Looking Ahead 5 Years From Now

The work continues. In our 3rd session this afternoon we’re going to discuss the progress made by the group last week on a vision statement for the Schuyler Media Network. Katie and I feel we have a couple very strong directions on the overall vision. Connected, empowered, responsive, reliable. All excellent word choices in the mix for what this network could be. To get there, in the 2nd session we divided the group into two teams. In them, with folks feeling a little more comfortable expressing themselves, we heard great discussion and debate. And now, time to get some consensus. 

From there, we’ll look more at the goals needed for getting to the vision. To help focus that part of the session, we’ve established a few goal types including revenue goals, community adoption and usage goals, and website traffic goals. We want to keep looking long-term but also start to consider short-term goals. After today, we have a big break in the action where Katie and I will pull everything together to start to solidify some elements of the strategic plan. And then we’ll pick it up again in three weeks in the 4th session where we’ll firm up the group’s collective thinking.

Design + Social Justice Symposium

The graphic design program at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln’s Department of Art and Art History announces a Design + Social Justice Symposium. 

This is happening in less than a week. The Love Library Exhibitions have been up since mid August. Yesterday, I led a cause poster workshop for Advanced Graphic Design students. The work of Emory Douglas opens in the Sheldon on Friday with his lecture happening next Tuesday. And the Love Library Panel Discussion is next Wednesday. I’m really excited to be part of such an important event at the University. From the Art college:

The events and exhibitions of the symposium will highlight the visual communications, stories and portraits of revolutionary social movements and will examine how graphic design is a tool for organizing. The graphic artifacts that will be exhibited represent the role of art as a revolutionary force and how art and design can communicate about a need for social change. The symposium will examine the role of graphic design in creating messages that promote civil and human rights, preservation of the environment, and advocacy of equal opportunity.

Design + Social Justice Symposium
September 15–16, 2015
University of Nebraska–Lincoln