Politics

William Drenttel|Projects

Designersforobama.org?

Poster design by Nicholas Rock, 2008Would you like to own designersforobama.org? What would you do with it?Last February, in the heat of the primary campaign, Winterhouse got (very) excited about Barack Obama's candidacy, and we asked what …

Gong Szeto|Interviews

Interview with Brian Oakes

It’s not often that graphs and numbers take center stage in a popular film, but in the brilliant hands of graphic designer Brian Oakes, information design is not a backdrop but a main character in the recently released documentary …

William Drenttel|Essays

Whose Flag?

Adbusters' poster, design by Pedro Inoue, 2008Recently, I received a poster on a topic I care about, issued by an organization I respect. It's a call-for-entries for a flag design competition being hosted by Adbusters, on the topic of …

Alice Twemlow|Essays

A Look Back at Aspen, 1970

Saul Bass and Ralph Caplan at the IDCA.  All images are stills from Aspen: 70, a documentary made by Eli Noyes and Claudia Weill, 1970The scene is a glorious mid-summer’s evening on the first day of the 1970 International Design …

Paula Scher|Essays

It’s How You Said It

Paula Scher: “The problem with the New Yorker’s controversial Obama cover is not that it’s dangerous and tasteless. The problem is that it isn’t dangerous or tasteless enough.”

William Drenttel|Slideshows

Thoughts on Democracy, July 4 2008

During the summer of 1942, the American painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell embarked on a series of paintings that would come to be known as "The Four Freedoms." Inspired by an impassioned speech President Roosevelt had made a year …

Andrew Blauvelt|Essays

Over the Rainbow

June marks the start of a month-long series of LGBT Pride celebrations in cities around the United States and the world, as well as the 30th anniversary of the rainbow flag — the de facto symbol of the LGBT community. While the visual …

Andrew Blauvelt|Essays

Over the Rainbow

June marks the start of a month-long series of LGBT Pride celebrations in cities around the United States and the world, as well as the 30th anniversary of the rainbow flag — the de facto symbol of the LGBT community. While the visual …

David Stairs|Essays

The Little Logo That Could

With Hillary joining Adlai among the ranks of first name candidates who didn’t quite make it, presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama is settling in for the long haul following his hard-won delegate victory earlier this week — and …

Steven Heller|Essays

The Magic of the Peace Symbol

Antiwar rally in Heroes' Square, Budapest, Hungary, March 20, 2005. Photo by Zsolt Szigetvary.The symbol for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is 50 years old this year, and despite all the wars fought since its birth, none of them have …

The Editors|Essays

Marc Rabinowitz: Prostitution Facts

Marc Rabinowitz, Design to Touch Humanity, Prostitution Facts shown amidst Village Voice escort ads, 2007In spite of the barrage of wisecracks this week involving the tawdry glamour of "high-priced call girls," it's important to remember …

William Drenttel|Projects

Polling Place Photo Project on Super Tuesday

The New York Times, politics page, January 2008Voting on Tuesday, February 5, in the U.S. presidential primaries? We hope you will contribute a photograph to the Polling Place Photo Project.Primaries or caucuses will be held for one or …