Book review: The design of dissent

by Giancarlo Brand, Lab Specialist for Digital Publishing

“The Design of Dissent” is a book recently published by great designers, Milton Glaser, who is referred to as the embodiment of American graphic designer and Mirko Ilic, born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and coauthor of Genius Moves: 100 icons of Graphic Design and Handlettering in the Digital age.

The book attempts to convey the importance of people disagreeing on opposing social, political or religious conduct, especially if those conduct opposes one’s values. It addresses the role graphic design plays within those values. An illustration or arrangement of words and images has power because it makes a point that is shared by all of society and is based on the current state of one’s surroundings.

Even though personal gain is a natural reaction and human instinct in the core of every one, there is a passion beyond wealth and fame that drives everyone towards a better world as a large family. We are concerned for the environment, the current state of global economy and its effect on those less fortunate, the abuse of those with power and their maltreatment of those who are defenseless. That power of unity has changed the world many times in our history. In many instances a movement can result from by one person speaking the truth through words or by simply trying to make a point visually; hence, graphic design.

Many great examples of revolutionary design lie inside “The Design of Dissent.” Its inspiration comes from all corners of the world and history with sensitive topics like communism, the Iraq War, peace, equality, the corporate demon, media’s corruption, religion, government, and even the U.S. presidential election. Many of these works of art are hard to look at, most causing an immense feeling; some make one sick or very uncomfortable. So why advocate it, or even mention it. The answer is simple; it’s the basis of our existence. For hundreds of years people have communicated their feelings through visual expression in ways everyone can understand and be affected by. It is part of our genetic make to rebel, and to stand for what we believe in, at any cost. However much of that great quality is lost in our sense of self-preservation because our nature to survive knows that which rebels against a system, can also became a target of that same system. Even in the smallest of examples, our need to do the right thing is undeniably a big part of the so-called meaning of life. We are artists then, not just designers.

The Design of Dissent: Socially and Politically Driven Graphics by Milton Glaser, Mirko Ilic, and Tony Kushner (Paperback - Oct 1, 2006)