Celebrating the African-American Practitioners Absent From Way Too Many Classroom Lectures by Madeleine Morley, Eye on Design, 2018, Typography as a Radical Act in an Industry Ever-dominated by White Men by Silas Munro, Eye on Design, 2019 and Design Gets More Diverse by Alice Rawsthorn, NYTimes, 2011

  • What stood out to you the most in this week’s readings?
  • How do we change the commercial design field to include a diversity of voices and visions?
  • What will the commercial design field and the study of design history look like in 20 years?

What stood out to me the most in this week’s readings, is exclusivity in the field of graphic design. Because in the 20th century, some regulations or standard labels had already been set. Although many people call for more creativity and diversification, historically, we rarely or hard see design and art relate in places other than Europe. So, many designers are limited to this. “Historically, design has had difficulty with diversity. Culturally, it was dominated by European Modernism throughout the 20th century, when its values shaped industrial design worldwide, even in North America.”（Alice Rawsthorn） In order to be recognized, designers from different places are all close to this aspect to a certain extent. However, the world is changing and technology is progressing. I believe that the field of graphic design will become more open.

The way we can change the commercial design field to include a diversity of voices and visions can be said to be very simple or complicated. Because that is the thing we all know, and it is not easy to do and accept. Accept the diversity of races and cultures. Let go of prejudices and accept the changes these diversified things bring, instead of sticking to the same pattern (different people have the same design).

I believe the commercial design field and the study of design history look like in 20 years will be more inclusive and diverse. Because in my opinion, art has no borders. When people have a language barrier, art is the best way to communicate. Therefore, the design should be more open, inclusive, and diversified. Designers from all over the world could communicate and collide with other designers with their artwork about cultural, social, and political issues. I believe that human beings can be creative, even if now they are slowly improving, they will achieve an equal working and creative environment in the future. Everyone can design their own ideas instead of repressing them.

“I believe that all type and design is subliminal—no matter how monotonous or garish,” he says. (Seals)”