Michaela Maloney Graphic Media Design The act of design is inherently political. Designers make choices about what they create, how they create it, and who it's intended for. These choices can hold immense power and be used to reinforce current power structures and norms or disrupt them. In an interview with graphic designer Jonathan Barnbrook for Its Nice That, he explains– “the absolute decision to be a graphic designer is a political decision. Graphic design is at the heart of capitalism. It’s at the heart of encouraging consumption – you are consenting to that as a graphic designer.” (Bourton) This statement highlights the complex relationship between design and societal systems, and how design can be used to either support or challenge them. With that, I think it is important as graphic designers to have a stance on what companies we want to work for and with. The companies that designers align themselves with can have a significant impact on the kind of work they create and the values they uphold. I have been very lucky in both my work placements but particularly my placement at Here Design has shown me how design can be used for good and what it looks like for a company to only align itself with other companies that share their same values. At the core of Here Design’s decisions is its philosophy of “beautility”, which is “the belief that our task as thinkers, writers, designers, and makers is to make good choices desirable.” This philosophy comes from the observation, as they describe in their latest Bcorp Impact report– “that as a society we are moving from a period of abundance to a period of conscious restriction – a realisation that our current habits are unsustainable. Whilst this sounds like a limitation of creative possibilities we see it as the opposite. Now, more than ever imagination and creativity are vital tools in driving new habits and behaviours.” By incorporating these values into their design process, Here Design is not only creating beautiful and functional products but using their position as designers to create change. This is evident in one of their most recent identity and packaging design for Two Drifters, a Devon based carbon negative rum distillery. The project reflects Here Design's philosophy of "beautility" and the belief that design should make good choices desirable. Mark Paton, a designer at Here Design, explains, "Championing sustainable design and advising those we work so closely with on the ways we can attain this through design is an important component of Here's work. We echoed Two Drifter's sustainable ethos in our production and aesthetic choices from start to finish, while championing local British suppliers and makers for a design that encapsulated the distillery's proud Devon heritage." Through this project, Here Design not only created a visually stunning design, but also demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and working with companies that share their values. Ultimately, the act of design is political, and designers have a responsibility to use their skills to create a better world. By being intentional about the companies they work with, prioritizing sustainability and social responsibility, and creating inclusive and diverse work, designers can play a crucial role in shaping a more just and equitable society. Bourton, Lucy. “Graphic Design Is Political: Jonathan Barnbrook on How We Can Build a Better Industry.” www.itsnicethat.com, 10 Sept. 2020, www.itsnicethat.com/features/jonathan-barnbrook-in-conversation-graphic-design-100920.
Here BCORP Impact Report, Here Design, Mar. 2023, bcorp.heredesign.com/. Here Design, www.heredesign.com/.
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