INTRODUCTION
Not many know the true range of graphic designers’ responsibilities and just how extensive is the impact of their work on day to day life. With powerful ability to communicate and educate, designers are able to motivate people to make informed decisions and choices about what they do and consume. What is often overlooked is how design solutions affect the world around us. And unfortunately more often than not those solutions are not socially conscious. Therefore such tendency raises questions: “Does modern graphic design industry have the balance between “effective” and “socially responsible” communication? How do graphic designers in the industry address issues of social responsibility? Does graphic design industry serve the community …show more content…
“In any event, awareness of what we actually do in life seems worth thinking about” (Glaser, 2004). He created a test for graphic designers and students “The Road to Hell” which is a series of questions testing ethical and moral compasses of creatives in the industry., such as: Design a crest for a new vineyard to suggest that it 's been in business for a long time?, Design an ad for a political candidate whose policies you believe would be harmful to the general public?, Design a brochure piece for an SUV that turned over more frequently than average in emergency conditions and caused the death of 150 people?, Design an ad for a product whose continued use might cause the user 's death? (Glaser, 2004). The results were to astounding, in a group of 20, 3 out of 4 were willing to go all the way, meaning they were prepared to participate in advertising a product whose use might cause harm or even user’s death, the only objection that participants had was about harming their family, friends and loved ones. This example of the world where professionals are willing to go all the way in producing potentially harmful, misinformed products is horrifying. The line drawn at harming family and friends becomes and illusion as consumers are in fact somebody’s …show more content…
Consumerism culture is overwhelming and graphic designers are sucked in the industry and are active at practically every lever of product production: from creation, advertising to consumption. Most significant and powerful aspect about First Thing First Manifesto 2014 is that it was open to public. Main purpose of the updated manifesto is to create a conversation among designers and alertness of more worthy and truthful pursuits. As today’s world is more connected than ever with the help of internet it made sense that the Manifesto 2014 was published online, welcoming any creative to become a signatory, creating a wider audience and stronger impact. It is a much needed step that should be promoted, “given the aggressive distortion of truth and reality that pervades our civic and business life” (Glaser,
Not many know the true range of graphic designers’ responsibilities and just how extensive is the impact of their work on day to day life. With powerful ability to communicate and educate, designers are able to motivate people to make informed decisions and choices about what they do and consume. What is often overlooked is how design solutions affect the world around us. And unfortunately more often than not those solutions are not socially conscious. Therefore such tendency raises questions: “Does modern graphic design industry have the balance between “effective” and “socially responsible” communication? How do graphic designers in the industry address issues of social responsibility? Does graphic design industry serve the community …show more content…
“In any event, awareness of what we actually do in life seems worth thinking about” (Glaser, 2004). He created a test for graphic designers and students “The Road to Hell” which is a series of questions testing ethical and moral compasses of creatives in the industry., such as: Design a crest for a new vineyard to suggest that it 's been in business for a long time?, Design an ad for a political candidate whose policies you believe would be harmful to the general public?, Design a brochure piece for an SUV that turned over more frequently than average in emergency conditions and caused the death of 150 people?, Design an ad for a product whose continued use might cause the user 's death? (Glaser, 2004). The results were to astounding, in a group of 20, 3 out of 4 were willing to go all the way, meaning they were prepared to participate in advertising a product whose use might cause harm or even user’s death, the only objection that participants had was about harming their family, friends and loved ones. This example of the world where professionals are willing to go all the way in producing potentially harmful, misinformed products is horrifying. The line drawn at harming family and friends becomes and illusion as consumers are in fact somebody’s …show more content…
Consumerism culture is overwhelming and graphic designers are sucked in the industry and are active at practically every lever of product production: from creation, advertising to consumption. Most significant and powerful aspect about First Thing First Manifesto 2014 is that it was open to public. Main purpose of the updated manifesto is to create a conversation among designers and alertness of more worthy and truthful pursuits. As today’s world is more connected than ever with the help of internet it made sense that the Manifesto 2014 was published online, welcoming any creative to become a signatory, creating a wider audience and stronger impact. It is a much needed step that should be promoted, “given the aggressive distortion of truth and reality that pervades our civic and business life” (Glaser,