An Exploration of Social Responsibility in Graphic Design: The Art of Ethical and Sustainable Design and the Graphic Designers Role
The purpose of this thesis is to explore social responsibility in graphic design, the art of ethical and sustainable design and the graphic designer’s role. Graphic designers play an important role in shaping thoughts, public opinion and policy through visual communication. We do this in every aspect of our profession from the kinds of clients that we take on to the types of material that we use to produce our work. In Citizen Designer: Perspectives on Design Responsibility Steven Heller writes, “Being accountable to some moral standard is key. A designer must be professionally, culturally, and socially responsible for the impact his or her design has on the citizenry.”
The current climate crisis presents a watershed opportunity for change, especially within the design community. How can we as designers develop skills and practices to respond to sustainability? How can graphic design as a profession be a catalyst for change? With the world at-large concerned about the environment, do we as designers wait for change to originate from consumers or corporations or do we, as designers become the catalyst for change? The answers to these questions will ultimately lead to a new design paradigm that will dictate future of graphic design curriculums in schools, how designers work with clients, service providers and with each other. In the twenty-first century, sustainability is at the center of a new design paradigm.
This thesis explores how green design can be used as an effective instrument for social change. My artistic project will show a green design from concept to completion. The poster series I designed speaks to the public on the importance of being environmentally responsible. The entire study is entitled RETHINK. RECYCLE. REDESIGN. The posters are a testament of how graphic design can be sustainable while at the same time, be an effective vehicle of visual communication. The paper for the posters was created from shredded credit card offers and other junk mail I usually throw away. Each one highlights a tip to green living. They were silk-screened using EnviroLine water based inks. My artistic project demonstrates how one designer can make a difference, and through the RETHINK. RECYCLE. REDESIGN. fundraiser and art show, the actions of many designers doing the right thing can move mountains. We, the design community can be a catalyst for change.