F.T. Marinetti, “Manifesto of Futurism”; Aleksandr Rodchenko, “Who We Are: Manifesto of the Constructivist Group”; and El Lissitzky, “Our Book”, Graphic Design Theory: Readings From the Field by Helen Armstrong, pages 19-31

Questions

  • What common views do these artists/designers share and where might they disagree?
  • Which elements of these texts remain relevant for the present, and which elements are problematic? 
  • Using visual examples from the Futurists and Constructivists, present the ways that political and economic power can be expressed through visual design.
  • How has the communication process changed since the early 20th Century, specifically with regard to “feedback” and “noise”?

Response

A common view these artists/designers share is that new techniques can spring up and would make work easier for the artists/designers to make their piece. A disagreement they may have is some of their techniques may not fit many artists/designers’ mindsets. For example, there can be people who agree with Marinetti with the Manifesto of Futurism how we have to go back to the future to see where things have started from, and there could be people who disagree with it saying that is in the past and the future is right now, we should just focus on what is happening right in front of our eyes.

An element of these texts that remain relevant for the present is technology. With technology, we are able to do the unthinkable and solve things that we couldn’t in the past. We are able to make a rocket and launch it in space. Or fly in the sky with an airplane where we dreamt of flying in the past but our feet were always stuck on the ground. Something that might be problematic is the new designers that spring up they are new to the field and with new rookies, there would be new ideas and they might be the ones who can break the rules that were set for decades in design, adventure out there to see what may potentially work in the future which can cause old designers to question it.

Political and economic power can be expressed through visual design. We are able to create posters that speak and show the viewers what we feel through words and photos. It also allows us to reach more viewers that we may not even know we will reach.

The communication process has changed since the early 20th century with the use of “feedback” and “noise”. People can get a ton of feedback and noise very quickly and can reach people who can help them out and are willing to help anyone who they may have an answer for. You may also reach other designers who may also want to give you some advice without having to go to the person to ask when you can get a reply instantly with the help of technology

Annotations

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