Rezwan Haque’s ePortfolio

I think my approach to my own design work will improve after reading the AIGA Design Guide and the New York Times piece on the Shepard Fairey “HOPE Poster” case. I have learned a great deal from the AIGA Design Guide about handling copyright, using other people’s photos and illustrations, and knowing my obligations as a designer to customers, other designers, and the public. AIGA places a strong emphasis on the value of upholding intellectual property rights, providing due attribution, and making sure that any photos or other assets used are either legally licensed or royalty-free.

The “HOPE Poster” case brought attention to the grave consequences of breaking copyright laws. Shepard Fairey used an AP photo without permission to produce the now-famous poster of Barack Obama. Fairey was involved in a legal battle that not only had financial ramifications but also damaged his artistic reputation. This case is a sobering reminder of how crucial it is to source photos responsibly and acquire the required licenses.

Citation(s)

• “Guide to Copyright” AIGA. (2001). PDF. New York City; Richard Grefé, AIGA.
• “A Client’s Guide to Design: How to Get the Most Out of the Process” AIGA. (2001). PDF. New York City; Richard Grefé, AIGA. 
• “Use of Photography” AIGA. (2001). PDF. New York City; Richard Grefé, AIGA. 
• “Summary.” Ethics of Design, WordPress, 29 June 2024, https://ethicsofdesign.wordpress.com/summary/.
• “Code of Ethics.” Australian Graphic Design Association, AGDA, https://agda.com.au/member/code-of-ethics.

Especially when considered in the context of the AIGA guide’s ethical criteria, my internship at Brooklyn College has been illuminating. As a member of the brand design team, I have had the chance to learn a great deal about the moral issues surrounding the sourcing of pictures and the upkeep of corporate trademarks and logos.

Finding photos that adhere to the ethical guidelines established by AIGA is one of our main design job responsibilities. To prevent any concerns about misuse, we make sure that all photos used are appropriately licensed and attributed. This procedure preserves the integrity of our work while also paying respect to the original artists. Our group stays away from using royalty-free graphics since we are aware of the risks involved, including unauthorized usage and inadequate payment to the artists. We maintain a high standard of ethical conduct by getting photos directly from artists as well as from reliable stock photo providers.

We stick to the guidelines provided by Brooklyn College in terms of trademarks and logos and any use of the elements in the branding they provided are thoroughly checked to see if any thing was misused or could misrepresent the college.
My time at Brooklyn College has been rewarding, and I now have a strong grasp of the moral issues that the design business faces. It has emphasized how crucial it is to preserve the integrity of the design profession and to protect intellectual property.

Citation(s)

• “Guide to Copyright” AIGA. (2001). PDF. New York City; Richard Grefé, AIGA.
• “A Client’s Guide to Design: How to Get the Most Out of the Process” AIGA. (2001). PDF. New York City; Richard Grefé, AIGA. 
• “Use of Photography” AIGA. (2001). PDF. New York City; Richard Grefé, AIGA. 
• “Summary.” Ethics of Design, WordPress, 29 June 2024, https://ethicsofdesign.wordpress.com/summary/.