Design as Culture
Think 💭 + Discuss 💬
How does Graphic Design impact society? In your own words, write down three (3) specific effects (possibly negative) that visual culture has on the world (from your own perspective, or push yourself to explore the question from the perspective of someone in different historical era, culture, or religion).For instance:
- Body Image and Societal Expectations: Do you think fashion designers and marketing firms share some responsibility for addressing body image expectations for women and girls in our popular culture?
- Civic Participation: Do you think the design of government election material impacts voting? What obligation do federal and local governments have for communicating and engaging with citizens?
- Gender Roles: Do creators of television shows, movies, podcasts, etc. have any obligation to consider or question how depictions of gender roles in popular culture impact certain people and communities?
One way to better understand the complex, dynamic, and fascinating relationships between Graphic Design (logos, websites, wayfinding, packaging, apps, etc.) and society is through specific instances of “newsworthy” design…
Graphic design is both a critical practice and a professional vocation. Graphic design can be thought of as one component within a larger context of cultural production, mass media, commercial trends, and aesthetic agendas.
All creative practitioners are obligated to engage with their field and the discourse within it. To nurture a creative studio culture, we need to have a shared lexicon and precedent. Therefore, is it important for us, as a group, to examine and discuss precedent, as a way of practicing critique and creative dialogue.
Professional Graphic Design Case Study 📚 📚 📚
Cracker Barrel identity redesign ()
Customers, visitors, and audience members clearly invest a lot more than just partonage to their prefered consumer relationships. Write down three (3) product or service logos that you would be upset to see redesigned. What emotions, memories, values, or distinctions might be impacted if these logos were to be redesigned?Think about the Elements and Principles of Graphic Design. For example, how do color, proportion, and balance contribute to the “old-time” or “traditional” qualities that many customers complained about between the original and the redesigned Cracker Barrel logo.