Jenna Spevack | COMD3504_OL08 | FALL 2021

Discussion: Week 4

A manifesto is a declaration of intent — often the intent to bring radical change to the world. Throughout history, many art movements have written manifestos, and it’s always a sign that things have gotten real.

OBELISK – Art Manifestos Defining new realities

TOPIC: Graphic design was in its infancy in the early 20th Century and the artists and designers of the avant-garde were laying the foundation for the field amidst worldwide upheaval and technological and social change. Like the artists and designers of the Avant-Garde, we as designers are called to address some of these same issues: the nature of communication, globalization, gender politics, body politics, and the representation of power. Add to that a worldwide pandemic, economic and racial inequity, and climate change. We have a lot going on to drive the passion for change.

After reading the manifestoes F.T. Marinetti, “Manifesto of Futurism”; Aleksandr Rodchenko, “Who We Are: Manifesto of the Constructivist Group”; and El Lissitzky, “Our Book” found in our main text Graphic Design Theory: Readings From the Field by Helen Armstrong on pages 19-31 and reviewing the videos from the Week 4 Agenda, complete the following.

Compose your Design Manifesto in the style of the Avant-Garde artists and designers. Be poetic/abstract, but clear enough that we can get the idea or re-write passages from the manifestos that we’ve read. You might also look at other manifestoes for inspiration, but please include the following…

  • Use short declarative statements in a list to define the philosophy, intentions, and requirements for the designer of today.
  • State the social, political, and ethical ideas that are important to you and necessary for a designer to consider.
  • Identify the technological concerns that designers must embrace or reject.

Add your manifesto in a comment in the Discussion post by Friday, Sep 24th at 11:59 pm to allow time for responses. Add at least 5 follow up responses to your classmates’ manifestos by Sunday, September 26th, 6 pm. Reminder: free sharing of ideas helps us learn and it’s also part of your participation grade. 🙂

74 Comments

  1. Nicholas Albanese

    The past 5 years have seen us become more divided as a nation. Brothers and sisters, red and blue, stood hand in hand and said “hello neighbor”. Now, they toss stones of vitriol and hate at each others’ glasshouses. People live in fear, poverty, sickness, and disgust. Where once, pleasantries were spoken is now replaced with stinging words laced with venomous undertones. The United States has become as divided as they were in days of old and one question remains on the minds of millions of its citizens: “How can we come together?” Surely, one person can’t do that.

    Art is a multifaceted medium that can elicit many emotions. Feelings of bliss, of rage, of disgust. However, in these trying times, art has become one of our only escapes from the harsh realities of the outside world. Therefore, I believe artists and designers alike should create art that brings this nation together. The artists/designers of today have the power to attract audiences of thousands. I believe their tools and talents should be used to unite Americans from all walks of life. To make them realize that no matter if you’re white or black, heterosexual or LGBT, man or woman, we are all roots connected to the tree of America. We should create art that celebrates our differences rather than art that tears each other down.

    I believe the designers/artists of today should pay no regard to political audiences and should instead create art that unites people based on more personal traits like gender, sexuality, and identity. They should focus their designs on things that bring us together rather than divide and group people based on more controversial things like political alignment. Today’s artists and designers should also adapt to utilizing both traditional and digital forms in their artwork. I believe in the utilization of more physical designs that speak to themes of unity. Creating interactive art pieces and exhibits that center around unification and celebrating our similarities is what designers should do.

    • bryanmendez

      Yeah, I agree art should be used to unify not to separate or create division in society. It shouldn’t be used to oppress any race or religion it should be used to educate and congregate.

    • Zi Hang Lian

      Definitely. Since art is a form of expression, about almost everything can be expressed through art. No matter the race, we should all be treated equally. I agree with you that art shouldn’t be used in a horrible way. Instead, we should use art to spread awareness and try make the world a better place.

    • Eric Sukhdeo

      I agree that artists “should pay no regard to political audience” since something is to be created for fun or as an expression of oneself. Use whatever platforms or ideas that appeal to you and just go with it if it brings people together.

    • Jenna Spevack

      Wonderful, Nicholas! Here’s a question. How do we unify when… “truth” becomes subjective and when one group’s view of reality is markedly different from another? How do we reach those who feel alone, feel powerless, and blame “the other”? When they find others who feel the same, they find that sense of community they were missing. But rather than unifying the whole of society, we have unified groups/factions at odds with each other. How do we communicate with people at their human core? The universal human? This is a difficult question to answer, but it’s one that I think designers/communicators should contemplate.

    • Shauntaya

      I agree with unifying, but we take accountability to represent each group is difficult itself when not everyone wants to see unification. In addition, we have to accept that everyone has their own culture, America is a melting pot. In order for artists to make art to unify Americans, they have to have some truth to it.

      • Jenna Spevack

        Ah, true, Shauntaya. Unification is not desired by all or perhaps by many. I was specifically thinking of the culture of Trump or the rise of authoritarianism. Being able to communicate to a broad audience is a design necessary skill, especially when the inability to communicate has life/death consequences and/or negatively affects the whole country or world. What do you think?

    • rahel lehar

      I believe bringing together people is important but I also believe that politics plays one of the biggest roles in design. In a way, different designs for different purposes do unify people together

      • Jenna Spevack

        Agreed, Rahel. An art school friend of mine who escaped the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia always reminded me that “everything is political.” Can you explain more… in what ways do “different designs for different purposes unify people together?”

        • rahel lehar

          There are always political issues going on and a lot of the time there are people who make posters for protests and graphic designs that are made online that a lot of people can agree on. We’re not unified literally all at one time but each design that people see resonates with them.

    • Ebony Star

      I agree, I also feel designers of today should create art that connects us as a nation. Artists/designers have a huge impact on the way society sees the world or receives information. Designs can change perspectives which can help us learn and evolve.

      • bryanmendez

        yeah it’s one of the worst parts of social media right now because of all these different groups that can hate on you if you don’t agree with them or their cause but instead of hating you they should try to understand where that opinion comes from and how it was created

        • Angela Alvarez

          I agree in the way that social media can be so easily captivating and that is where so much miscommunication and divisions tend to occur. It’s so easy for an influential account to grab a random graphic off of google and misinform their following which in turn leads to strong emotions and outbreaks of war in comment sections. It’s good that we have these liberties to speak about anything but that brings to question whether it’s entirely a good thing or not.

        • Angela Alvarez

          I agree in the way that social media can be so easily captivating and that is where so much miscommunication and divisions tend to occur. It’s so easy for an influential account to grab a random graphic off of google and misinform their following which in turn leads to strong emotions and outbreaks of war in comment sections. It’s good that we have these liberties to speak about anything but that brings to question whether it’s entirely a good thing or not.

    • Lily Yu

      I agree with the fact that artists can bring people together with a design they created. Sometimes a design/art piece can speak louder than words, and that it can reach people you would never expect to reach.

  2. bryanmendez

    Art is mobile and always moving.
    Screens are becoming the canvases of today.
    Design is elastic meant to be malleable.
    Art is seen by all and is shared by all.
    Minimalism is the death of iconic logos but gives fruit to the new.
    Online is the new working space.
    Innovation in design seems to be impossible but can be achieved.
    Paper seems to be obsolete.
    Old practices are now hobbies of today.
    Coming into work is now working from home.
    Face-to-face interactions are now behind screens.
    Meetings are now online.
    He and she are now being left behind.
    Equality is gaining a new definition.
    Open-mindedness is essential being able to understand each other is now a rarity.
    Differing opinions online are dangerous and can be career-ending.
    Acceptance of each other is now required.
    Cancel culture is toxic.
    Technology has created shortcuts in design.
    Technology should be used to its full potential.

    • Zi Hang Lian

      True, art is always evolving everyday. Compared to before, most of our communication is online due to the pandemic. Old practices of art is still used today. Some of them are the fundamental to design so it’s important. In our current time, technology is very important. We use it to communicate with each other, make designs, and make connections. As long technology is used the right way, it should be very helpful to you in your journey.

      • Shauntaya

        I agree with the way we make art it is different we start with pen a paper but then move on to using technology for the final touches.

        • Lily Yu

          I agree with you we have come a long way from just traditional ink and paper to digitally putting our work out there. Still can’t believe that something that would have taken us three days to do can take one hour now to make, that is truly incredible.

    • Eric Sukhdeo

      Interesting how you put in poem, I see how to encompassed the state that we are in now to describe how to feel. Most of what you say I agree with like the parts where minimalism is diminishing art but is still a form and that no one really designs anything on paper anymore. however, open-mindedness is something I don’t see as a “rarity” maybe uncommon fits better for the way you’re putting it in terms of design or art.

      • bryanmendez

        “Open-mindedness is essential being able to understand each other is now a rarity”. when I say this I mean like “Open-mindedness is essential”(pause) because we are now more accepting to everyone and then I say” being able to understand each other is now a rarity” because I feel like if your opinion was to differ from someone else instead of them trying to understand why you feel that way they instead ignore that and try to change you or tell you are wrong. I can see why it would be confusing my bad.

    • Jenna Spevack

      Excellent, Bryan! I love how you’ve followed the style of the avant-garde manifestos we’ve read and created a snapshot of our current life experience. Brillant. Don’t change anything, but my question for you is: How is “Equality is gaining a new definition”? I’m curious about your and others’ opinions.

      • bryanmendez

        I said “Equality is gaining a new definition” because I felt like although there have always been strides to be equal people try to ignore it or put them down but now I feel like more people are listening and open-minded to all whether it be about race or sexuality

    • Nicholas Albanese

      I enjoy your stance on technology and cancel culture in this manifesto. While it has done some good in tearing down the worst offenders, it has more often than not been used as a tool to tear down those who participate in harmless acts. In a world that is going increasingly digital, I believe it’s important to remember our roots and utilize some more traditional methods and tools alongside digital tools. When utilized alongside each other, I believe it can be the recipe to creating some truly unique and revolutionary art.

    • Shauntaya

      This is very true to what has been happening for the last few years. Art has become more mobile with works being able to be shared easily at the tips of our fingers. We as artists have to be mindful of what we create because that can all be career-ending or boost for some. For example, the artist Damien Hirst created work that spark a discourse like the sculpture For the Love Of God.

    • SimonWill21

      Paper being obsolete is definitely something I agree with because even in Graphic Design, most of the things we make are digital or at least has to go through a digital aspect some where down the design production process

    • rahel lehar

      i agree art is everywhere because of mobile devices and is more accessible. With digital tech, paperless age is already here

    • Ebony Star

      You make a good point when you state “Differing opinions online are dangerous and can be career-ending.” Social media can make or break a person. It’s an open forum for criticism and judgment from strangers. Leaving some to hold back in fear. If you speak your truth you chance losing everything you built while also gaining online enemies who disagree.

      • bryanmendez

        yeah it’s one of the worst parts of social media right now because of all these different groups that can hate on you if you don’t agree with them or their cause but instead of hating you they should try to understand where that opinion comes from and how it was created

    • Kyle Djemani

      In a society that seems do divided and torn up about the differences of others, I agree with you saying that acceptance of each other is now required. We should accept people for who they are as people instead of viewing them as solely different from ourselves.

    • Jennifer Salazar

      Equality having it’s own definition now a days is so good . So many of your lines really impact the way our future has changed from before

  3. Eric Sukhdeo

    Graphic design or design in general today is something that many people around the world tackle. You can tell by how much competition there is for all the different types of studios including photography, design, and video along with much more. A designer today needs to have an open mindset for all types of ideas to flow through and be able to provide whatever the client wants. They also need to put their own spin on their designs if they are able to, to give a sense of originality.

    In my opinion, when it comes to social ideas with graphic design you can do just about anything and probably get away with it as long as it was created in some artistic way. You could do the bare minimum and call it minimalism or have your art similar to another and say you were inspired by them and wanted to emulate their style into yours. On the political side, people may argue what qualifies as graphic design or what practices should be allowed but it’s something I rather not focus on it when it comes to graphic design. Lastly, my ideals for what is considered ethical is that you need to have some originality to your design. I know that’s a little hard today with a lot of people designing so there are bound to be people who overlap in ideas but just make your design feel like you.

    For technological concerns with the development of brand new technology just about every year it’s easy to see why many people would use all these different platforms to create and express their designs. There is such variety to the point where if you don’t like a tool or can’t afford one for example adobe premiere pro there are other video editing programs like vegas pro for final cut. Something some people may argue is that there is too much variety and that we should all use the same tools but then there are just some things you can do in one editing platform that you can’t do in the other. So for me as long as it converts to a pdf, jpeg, mp4, etc use whatever tool you want.

    • Zi Hang Lian

      That is very true. Design today have a lot of competitions and we have to have an open mindset to everything. I agree that design has to be original. If it’s not original, how can you express your true emotions or even be yourself? We all use different platforms to create our designs. Like you said, many of use can’t afford money to buy products like Adobe Premiere Pro. Sometimes, we may prefer one product over the others. That’s fine too. As long the work is done, anything works.

    • Jenna Spevack

      This is great, Eric. As you look at the history of design, art, music, or any creative practice, is anything truly original? Everything we create was influenced by something that came before or that is happening around us at that moment in time (though we may not see it). What does it mean to be innovative and original? You seem to connect this to ethics. Can you expand on that?

    • Lily Yu

      I agree with you that designers should have an open mindset when it comes to making art. Many people are still stuck with “this is the only right way to do it” and if you want to try something new they would bash it down since it isn’t something that the viewers are used to. I also agree with you on how the art industry is so huge and ideas overlap one another it is pretty hard to come up with “originality” and you would try to put your own twist into it so you can call it your own.

      • Nicholas Albanese

        I agree. Art is such a subjective medium and there is no one “right way” to making art. Every medium has its own approach and special tools. Bashing a piece of digital art because it’s not a painting is like insulting a fish because it can’t climb a tree as well as a monkey. I also agree with originality. When every idea has been done before, it is hard to come up with something that breaks the mold. We can only just create the things we want to create and put our own unique spin on them. The art we create can actually be seen as “original” because it is all our own, using our own tools and own knowledge.

    • Nicholas Albanese

      I agree with your statements. Not everybody has access to the same tools and that’s okay. You don’t need the latest version of Adobe Premiere or Photoshop to create some outstanding pieces. We shouldn’t lessen a piece’s value based on what was used to create it. Even during caveman times, humans were creating art on caves with nothing but crushed-up dyes and their bare hands. Only a poor craftsman blames their tools.

    • SimonWill21

      I agree that Design today is extremely competitive. The best of the best are the ones getting all the high end opportunities. I cant say that its really a bad thing or not because some people feel that is well deserved because of that person’s hard work and dedication.

    • Shauntaya

      Sometimes the tools we used as artists vary upon financial circumstances. Using industry-standard products doesn’t make the artist better but it improves teamwork and efficiency. I Personally feel rob by adobe every month when I have to pay a subscription instead of a one-time buy. However, since schools use industry-standard it takes time to learn a whole new tool that there is not a lot of classes for.

    • rahel lehar

      “A designer today needs to have an open mindset for all types of ideas to flow through and be able to provide whatever the client wants. They also need to put their own spin on their designs if they are able to, to give a sense of originality.”

      I agree with this because you definitely have to give what the client wants but the design has to come from you the designer

    • rahel lehar

      “people may argue what qualifies as graphic design or what practices should be allowed”

      There are “rules” in graphic design but rules are meant to be broken otherwise you can’t be creative

    • Kyle Djemani

      Given that creating is not a linear process and sometimes requires taking a few steps back to move forward, designers today should have an open mindset. Instead of limiting ourselves with rigid thinking that keeps up in the same place, we must go for a more open approach to creating.

  4. Zi Hang Lian

    The world of designers and artists are constantly changing today. We tackle problems, compete with each other, and spread our knowledge to the world. In this world of art, technology is constantly spreading to other designers and artists. We used them more than we did in the past. Technology influences our thinking and our designs. We used them to make our posters and designs. It’s how we spread awareness to the world.

    For a moment, let’s step away from technology. Even though we use technology to make designs, we still have to work it out on paper before it gets transferred to the computer. There are designs still made by hand today. The world is constantly changing and so do our thinking. Design in general is used to attract people or spread awareness. In our society, we often use design to advertise our product, spread awareness, or simply just to attract people. We can use bare minimum or minimalism and still make a design. To make a design, we have to start from an idea and built from that.

    Going back to our topic, technology is important. We can use technology to make our art or designs better. Using technology, you can use different platforms to make designs and also post them. Technology is a helpful tool in expressing our emotions and designs. However, keep this in mind. Technology can sometimes control you. They can sometimes make a adjustments to you art or design and you might think that’s a good thing. No, don’t them control you. See for your eyes how you make your design. Don’t let them make the design for you, you’re the designer. As long you’re using technology effectively, you’ll be able to make good design in your journey.

    • Lily Yu

      We are living in the era of technology so we need to make good use of it. Technology has helped us spread awareness around much quicker than like letters and newspapers. Since you can just press “post” and in a couple of seconds, you will have like 40 people already check your post out or notify your followers that you have posted something new. Oh yes, I also agree where you said that technology can control you. Sometimes in Indesign when I try to move something a little bit to the left or right it would auto-lock to how much it can be move but you want it to be like a couple of centimeters to the space that it auto-locks for you and you are like “Ummm….why?”

      • Zi Hang Lian

        True. Technology is a big influence on us. The example you used is relatable. When posting something, I’ll often get messages someone has posted to something. Having that kind of function makes communication easier.

    • Nicholas Albanese

      I couldn’t agree more with your statement. While I love using my tablet to create digital art, even I admit that it can be sometimes clunky and frustrating to use compared to drawing with paper and pencil. No matter how hard we try, there’s a uniqueness in traditional art pieces that you can’t really get with digital. This is not me trying to shame digital art or digital artists. I am just pointing out that traditional mediums like paintings, sculptures, and illustrations are timeless and spark more discussion. Even I sometimes find myself illustrating on paper once in a while. I think that when we use both modern art tools like graphic tablets and art software along with more traditional methods and mediums of creating art, we can create works that truly stand as a testament to how both forms can coexist.

    • SimonWill21

      True, technology is extremely useful in design but depending on it too much can have negative effects such it becoming an addiction. So yeah I pretty much agree that technology has its ups and downs

    • Eric Sukhdeo

      Very true that technology today has had a great influence on art and design with it expanding so much more than the technology beforehand. we are able to share our works with others across the world from the comfort of our own room and I can’t see how much it will develop in the next say 50 or 100 years.

    • bryanmendez

      Isn’t weird we feel like technology is fazing out working on paper but yet we still do sketches on paper it is like you said we work on paper but then we transfer it to the technological side

    • Kyle Djemani

      With how far technology has come, I agree that it can be a helpful tool and also that it can sometimes take control of us. Using technology allows us to have connections on a global scale that is unseen and unheard of, communicating to a much wider audience. However, we can get caught up with technology taking control of our lives by constantly checking social media which sometimes takes up most of our day. Technology has its ups and downs, but it is left up to us to decide whether it will help us or hinder us.

  5. Lily Yu

    Over the years many new techniques in both art, design and game qualities have gotten better and they have evolved. New technology has been invented to make designers’ lives a little bit easier. Where we all started with ink and paper which took a lot longer to create, and now moving over to digital where you can make millions of the same copies of the same piece of art.

    Yes, having technology help us create the art design also made us become a bit lazier. What I mean by that is when you are creating a page for a magazine with technology you don’t really have to think about how to split the page up. You can have the computer put guidelines for you and you are set. All these tools that are handed to us we take for granted and sometimes would break the rules in design. But there are other times where we don’t use the technology to its full potential.

    Some technological concerns that designers must embrace or reject is that we are in a new era where technology is the way to go and with it, it makes it easier for us to design something and to make it quick. Most that may have been rejected is the old tradition of ink and paper. Nowadays you mainly see digital designs. You might see some that are traditionally done but the final piece that is presented to you would be digital. But some people still use traditional drawings as their first sketch and then import them to their computer to be digitally made. Which with this new era technology is the way to go.

    • Zi Hang Lian

      Yes, technology has definitely improved designer’s life. I do agree with you even though our generations uses technology to design, there are people do do traditional sketch drawings to make their design digitally. Although our generation has rejected old tradition of ink and paper, it’s still important to learn everything so your design can be made smoothly.

    • Nicholas Albanese

      I agree. I think that while using modern art tools like tablets and software can be good, they don’t always work. They can be clunky and hard to get used to. You may not even use all the tools the software provides and it may not have all the tools you would use in traditional art. I think that we should still hold an appreciation and respect for those who make traditional art.

    • Ebony Star Wilson

      I agree, in order to stay relevant you must keep up with the times whether artists try to reject it. Embracing technology helps designers expand in production and types of designs.

    • Angela Alvarez

      I agree with everyone’s statements in how technology has really caused a positive improvement in the life of designers, and as we continue to phase out paper production, there will always remain those mediums because at the end of the day, technology can’t always be relied upon. If you go without power for a month you won’t be able to charge your devices. It would be good to have at least a general understanding and be open-minded to physical art techniques other than digitized formats.

    • Jennifer Salazar

      Your right, since our technology has improved so much we are able to use it artisticlly in so many ways. But a lot of artists like sticking traditionally. Many schools are only interested in pen and paper when we have so much more to work and use

  6. Shauntaya

    Over the last 2 decades if you were to choose art as a career people would describe it as the life of a starving artist. You would sacrifice material well-being to focus on art, living on minimum wages and the extra funds would go to your artwork. However, times have changed and new development in technologies had expanded the reach of artists digital media made it possible to get rid of the Starving artist narrative. The Artist who once was staving has more outreach at the fingertips with social media the hearsay from before. You have now become an advocate, the publisher, the supplier, the business side all in one. You can create a business and live off your art alone.

    In social media, you need to share your ideas and be a voice for the people that align with your social movement. Create work that expresses for the people who do not have a voice who can not speak up, these share can be a mutual benefit to you and the consumer of your work. You can build a business and identity from your artwork through social media getting rid of the idea that you cannot make a living of being an artist. It is important to have an identity along with your art to advertise yourself to your clients.

    As artists, we must aspect that we need technology to promote ourselves. Companies nowadays are looking for portfolios online, your identity that online, and what you can bring to the table for them. To understand that technology doesn’t limit your art but expands your option just to traditional art. The artist should reject the idea that you have to work for someone else to be successful and make a living. In addition, reject the idea that you have to create art for everyone else you can do it just for yourself.

    • Lily Yu

      That is still the mindset of some parents such as mine. When I told my parents I want to create art for a living they said that it was a bad idea since I won’t be making much money and said I should quit while I was ahead. But they don’t know like how you said it times have changed now and people are requesting more designers.

  7. SimonWill21

    Designers of today must:

    Be Bold
    Be Expressive
    Be Socially aware
    Be aware of shifts or trends in the field
    Designers, in my opinion, must be aware of social issues or events that are happening today in our society.

    As a Designer, you must be aware of current events and social injustices that are currently happening in our society. This field has been connected to and has been used to express thoughts on these issues.

    Designers must embrace technological concerns such as the constant changing and updating of design programs. In today’s society, most designers are dependent on these technologies, if you reject them it is much harder to be successful especially when consumers/clients want things done quickly and simply.

    • Shauntaya

      This is very true as graphic designers we have to understand what is going on in different cultures to not offend anyone. Our social awareness should expand that we can connect to the people better but let not just do it for the gain of profit but a moral perspective as well.

      • SimonWill21

        I agree, when it comes to making art around serious topic, we should avoid trying to get a profit off of it unless its for a good cause like charity or something of that sort.

    • Eric Sukhdeo

      That is truly how as designers we must be aware of current events and social injustices happening in our society. With that knowledge, we can voice our concerns in our works and try to reach as many people as we can to express how we feel.

    • Ebony Star Wilson

      Yes, I agree, artists should be socially aware while expressing themselves boldly. I feel social awareness creates a human connection with the viewer and artist because whether the viewer disagrees or agrees it stands as a call to action, where the artist stands socially while grabbing their audience’s attention.

    • bryanmendez

      We as designers have the power to bring light to social issues through our designs and being socially aware is just one step in that.

    • Kyle Djemani

      I agree that as designers we must be aware of what is currently happening in our society. We should use our voices to spread awareness and connect with others about such topics.

    • Jennifer Salazar

      Being a designer really means knowing about so much so you can make so much more for people who might ask of you. Which is pretty big i think. Your so knowledgeable about so many things.

  8. Jennifer Salazar

    I feel like art has been able to been improved. From the new utilities we can use and how much more we are free to do and work on. There are many different ways we can express our opinions and feelings into. I think everyone beliefs matter, and their views are what gives them the right to voice what they think. These ideas give us the light to expand and do so much more. Technology has advanced so much that we can use it for so much and take advantage of it, which is something designers should embrace.

  9. rahel lehar

    Crimes are allowed and tolerated.
    Laziness and being numb by drugs are encouraged by new laws.
    Lax law enforcement for more crime.
    We will be new, different, and loud.
    We will voice for a new criminal justice system.
    We will not protect criminals we will protect victims.
    We will campaign for “eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”.
    We will use the boldness and brightness of every color to expose filth.
    We are positive, ignited, fearless, and determined to achieve our mission.
    We embrace current and future technology to make the best designs to spread our messages.

    • Eric Sukhdeo

      Also unique is how you went the poem route and I appreciate the words of encouragement which I assume are meant for the people of the future and especially like the line of embracing current technology so we can make the best designs that we can.

  10. Kyle Djemani

    No longer can we remain silent, our voices are to be heard.
    Be unafraid and unyielding, especially in the face of oppression.
    Strive for equity, instead of unequal equality.
    With our hands that design and create, fix and shape a broken reality.
    Remove labels that bind us, understanding each other brings freedom.
    Learn from tradition, embrace change.
    Art never stops evolving, technology helps us catch up.

  11. Ebony Star Wilson

    Art is a mood, that shifts through time,
    Artists keep up, or you’ll be left behind.
    Create art that’s liberating, authentic to who you are.
    Never hinder your talents, or you’ll chance to gain a scar.
    They will judge you and misunderstand you at times.
    It’s your gift as an artist to open their minds.
    Look back to your roots, forward to the future,
    Compose works of art that will capture your viewer.
    Create what they demand/fear to see, and conjure up emotions!
    Nothing in this world gets solved, without a bit of commotion.

    • Jennifer Salazar

      I really like how you described creating something they demand or fear to see to conjure up emotions. And as well as composing art that captures your viewer. I have talked to a lot of friends about that since a lot of modern art from these past few years can be a white-covered canvas and be a work of art when there’s nothing in it. I’m not sure what you will call something like that, and if it can even be art.

  12. Angela Alvarez

    To design is one’s own free will in their medium.
    To decide what is right from wrong, is up to you.
    Design may be concise.
    Design may be a disarray.
    The designer should not care as long as they prove their message.
    Messages, portrayed in digital and analog media, are infinite.
    With infinite technology comes infinite resources and chances.
    The designer does not hurt, but inspires those who agree with their form and method.
    Alas, the designer must be aware when they no longer own the design that they form.

    • Angela Alvarez

      Writing this manifesto brought me to think about some conversations that have been brought up in the shift from physical to digital art in an ever-growing world of designers and artists in this age. With much more access to digital technology, some artists and designers have shifted their mediums to be entirely digital. Some have argued that some of these digital forms lack ownership. There are creators who collage together pieces of art from other creators, to create a new visual form, be it photographic or moving. There are also creators who share interests in television shows that create short clips alongside music to highlight certain moments of their tv show. For some, the combination and efforts put into editing the short clips to merge together in harmony with the music would be considered a type of design, but for others it is considered straight plagiarism as they neither own the tv show nor do they own the music. Where does design and art come into play when it comes to the manipulation of other mediums that may not be yours?