TRIANGULATION AND MAKING CONNECTIONS
TRIANGULATION
- Combination of methods in the study of the same phenomenon
TEXT1
The design activist’s handbook
(Published on March 28, 2016 by Lisa Dzera)
Interesting quotes
“We have the opportunity to decide whether we will simply do good design or we will do good with design.” -David Berman
“Design has the power to give a voice to people and causes without access to multimillion-dollar advertising budgets and to offer people alternative visions of how the world might be.” -The Design Activist’s Handbook
- book: The design activist’s handbook by Noah Scalin and Michelle Taute
- how designers can use their powers for good, creating graphics that inspire others, educate people about new topics, or provide a platform to people whose voices are often not heard
- Create social impact through design, Crete positive impact to the world
- Help non- profits establish their identity
- Offering to create a logo for an organisation run entirely by volunteers
- Using your skills in design to improve the lives of others
HOW COULD IT BE APPLIED TO MY FINAL OUTCOME?
- Focusing on the ongoing Hong Kong protest
- Building a campaign for the protest (focus on a specific incident)
- Example/ case study: the #Eye4HK campaign during the protest, the umbrella movement in 2014
TEXT2
Hong Kong protesters go into creative overdrive
(published by Alice Woodhouse and Nicole Liu on OCTOBER 16, 2019)
Interesting quotes
“She started out as an idea on the Reddit-like forum LIHKG to build a statue that could draw attention to the movement. Hundreds volunteered their time and a crowdfunding campaign was launched. People ranging from welders to 3D printing experts to fashion designers (who sewed her fully functional backpack) built “Lady Liberty” within the space of a week from a design chosen by the group.”
- the digital age, how the internet and social platforms higher the efficiency in rallying people and mass producing designs
“But 2019’s art has turned towards more combative themes, such as celebrating the bravery of frontline protesters in their gas masks with distinctive pink filters, says Sampson Wong, an academic and artist.”
- This reflects another intention of graphic design in activism, to build the sense of hope and faith amongst young protesters who were most likely in an extremely unstable mental state
- The positive mindset of young designers nowadays, instead of only making use of designs to spread sorrowful information, they spread positivity
- Which is a crucial element for protesters during the chaotic situation, to brighten up the heartbreaking atmosphere
- Anti-government activists are using the arts as a weapon in the battle to hold public attention
- upswell of creativity in a city best known for finance and skyscrapers.
- Hong Kong’s graphic designers and musicians have gone into creative overdrive to express their discontent
- Such a large-scale explosion of public art was last seen five years ago when the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement turned major roads into buzzing community art projects.
- 2019’s art has turned towards more combative themes, such as celebrating the bravery of frontline protesters in their gas masks with distinctive pink filters
- decentralised nature of the movement — it has no overt leader, meaning anyone online can suggest a project for consideration
- Any public blunder made by an official quickly goes viral, and graphic designers create posters that are shared online and pasted up around the city in a matter of hours.
- demands are more important than personal glory, and fear retaliation from the government or attacks from pro-Beijing thugs. (keep anonymous)
- “the role of art in the movement should not be overlooked” said Cantopop star, Denise Ho
- “You really cannot censor the mind, you cannot censor creativity. In these times of the internet, some sort of piece of art or piece of music or movie that comes out into the world, they cannot delete it completely”, she says
MY THOUGHTS
- Online platforms in activism design is crucial for spreading ideas
- Activism creative products (graphics design, music pieces) are created to express discontent and celebrate the bravery of frontline protesters
- Other than only expressing discontent, activism design also used for celebrating victory during a protest
- This is a quite interesting phenomenon, as when we talk about activism designs, people usually would only mention how they are used to promote a political idea, or how they are used to provide more information.
TEXT3
Design for Social Good: Visualising a Social Movement | Ending Sexual Harassment
published on 16 November 2018
Interesting quote
“Design can inform, educate and promote social change. When creating design with a social vision, designers can communicate and visualise complex problems, shape opinions, force the viewer to confront difficult issues, and stimulate social action.”
- A perfect tool to engage in addressing political issues and engaging in activism
“One of the first challenges that comes up when we start to think about a campaign concept or a graphic piece for a human rights-related issue is finding the best way to deliver a message that allows for a good understanding of a complex problem, and is committed to express dignity, respect and sensibility.” — Graphic designer Victoria Brunetta
- Challenge: simplifying a complex idea to make it easier for people to understand
- Using logos to visualise the complex idea?
- Using puns or sarcastic jokes to depict the issue?
“We’re living in a complex society, understanding and analysing the impact of media and our role as Graphic Designers in it could maybe help to deliver a more inclusive message and tackle the more damaging sides of capitalism.”
- Media is influencing the delivery and spread of message
- Challenges in visualising a social movement
- Could make use of shocking death tolls, numbers to convey the message, to raise awareness
- Campaign to make people realise
MY THOUGHTS
- We have to know that designers have the power to change people’s perspective towards an issue
- With this power in hand, we could actually make good use of designs to spread social issues across the world. With the benefits of the digital age, it is even more efficient to make known problems that are happening in a specific area, to the world and around the globe.
TASK
- Document your 3 connecting texts - use close reading to help you.
- Make a list of what patterns and/or connections you have discovered.
- Write 250 word blog post based on your reading and understanding of your 3 texts (and any other reading you might undertake) discuss different perspectives of each text and how it relates to your chosen theme.
CONNECTIONS/ TRIANGULATION
- Most common aim of design in activism is to educate people about new topics, or provide a platform to people whose voices are often not heard
- In the modern digital age, designs could be spread and delivered in a much effective and efficient way through social media platforms
- In activism, the role of design is most likely to help non-profits or victims establish their identity and voice out their opinions
250 WORDS
It is believed that the main aim of design in activism is to educate people about new topics, or provide a platform to people whose voices are often not heard. Designing does not only means to create aesthetic and beautiful designs, the intention of the designer and also the message that the designer would like to convey also contributes to whether or not the design is successful. In order to not only do good designs, designers should always remember to do good with designs. By addressing social issues, visualising voices of people, design in activism would eventually change the world’s perspectives and raise awareness on social and political issues. Also, nowadays, with the aid of technology, the internet is serving as a delivery platform to spread messages. Designers should also bear in mind that on one hand, it is beneficial, as designs could be widely spread in a click of a mouse. On the other hand, it is causing potential danger to provoking fake news and false information.
