The Design of Dissent: Socially and Politically Driven Graphics

Dissent is an essential part of keeping democratic societies healthy, and our ability as citizens to voice our opinion is not only our privilege but our responsibility. Without this dialogue, the backbone of what we have fought so desperately for could easily crumble.

Over the past several decades, we have seen the number of democratic societies around the globe increase, and during the past ten years, there has been a heightened awareness of the increasing conflicts and problems that both directly and indirectly affect our everyday lives. With the Middle Easts never ending conflict, the war on terrorism, and the numerous financial and environmental crises, peoples sense of safety, power, and representation has diminished in part because they feel they have no voice.

Designers, however, have used their skills to communicate their dissent throughout history and are doing so even more now with the birth of the Web and the increasing ease of distributing posters and other printed materials. A picture is worth a thousand words and designers have used this adage to their advantage by creating simple yet powerful designs that immediately convey poignant messages to their viewers. The Design of Dissent will examine graphic work focusing on social and political concerns from around the globe. The time is certainly ripe as the U.S. -- and world -- flare in opposition on so many important issues.