![]() What is Anti-Design? If seen as simply things made in opposition to design we must first look at what defines design. As a broad concept I’ve seen a few definitions but all seem to have the same core aim, which is to problem solve. Throughout design evolution we see trends of aesthetics develop, whether decorative or minimal they all have that same purpose of a found solution. Graphic Design, Defined as ‘a craft where professionals create visual content to communicate messages. By applying visual hierarchy and page layout techniques, designers use typography and pictures to meet’ visual needs. (1) We can understand and imagine the variety of ways this is achieved with that mutual purpose. However, Graphic Design is also where, since the pandemic hit, anti-design has grown the fastest. It is from the combination of an increased engagement on social media and accessible digital design softwares that Anti-Design Graphic Design has emerged. The nature of anti-design is to be visually jarring and disruptive, rebelling against the clear visuals created by traditional graphics to creates its own language of aesthetics. This is deeply rooted in irony. Irony, to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. So, an idea which is contradicted by its appearance or presentation. This is what Ant-Design is fuelled by. It requires first an understanding of traditional design, which it consciously repels, creating layers of satire below the initial surface response. It often looks to ‘ugly’ design and early 90’s digital aesthetics, where the design purpose was more functional than ornamental. However, how it is now being used is purely ornamental. Creating a semiotic that without contextual understanding has no purpose or meaning. Another example of ‘Anti-Design’ is Mushpit. Wanting to rebel against traditional graphic rules and strict visual structures, the creators made the satirical women’s magazine.
In this spread you can see the playful mix of type and spacing which doesn’t sit so comfortably on the page. They use a cartoon comic sans style font, which if it had not been used ironically would be seen simply as poor design and difficult to read. So my critique. Irony in design holds a singular purpose, to react directly and humorously to design sincerity. But of course this is an expected development. As graphic design becomes more and more refined and exact, there would naturally be a reactionary movement to counter all the rules being made. Creating pieces which break the rules set by years of aesthetic study and developed craft. When you create too many boundaries of course there will eventually be a revolt. But where will this lead? Is there another depth beyond the Anti-Design aesthetic? I don’t think so. Surely the future of design should instead continue to be rooted in problem solving and communicating. On a personal level (being dyslexic), I look at a lot of the visuals created as part of this asteathetic and find myself disengaging. If you have to work harder to read and understand the visuals and text, whether it be in a magazine or for a poster, why would you engage further? So again I will say that I believe the future of design should still sit in it’s aim to problem solve, to create designs and visuals to articulate and engage with wider audiences and find solutions rather than narrowing down the audience to simply those who understand the irony. With anti-design how it exists today, I do not see how it can develop any further or be anything other than counter productive. Rosa Harter Interaction Design Arts 1 - https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/graphic-design Poster- @trash.been Zine Spread - https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/the-new-wave-of-anti-design-magazines-will-question-your-sense-of-taste-and-thats-a-good-thing/ David Foster Wallace https://jameskasmith.com/category/david-foster-wallace/ https://www.metaphorandart.com/articles/exampleirony.html
1 Comment
sarah temple
1/6/2022 06:18:30 am
Rosa, thoughtful and complex analaysis of the way that professional anit-design,full of satire and sarcasm can be more dangerous and induce worse 'hip-fatigue' than the former "beautiful/stupid" good taste of conventional design and smart minimalism. Excellent consideration of what may come next being more important and relevant....which will effect the aesthetic in your own practices....
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