From the Graphic Communication Design course handbook:
“Engaging with climate, racial and social justice in the Graphic Communication Design Community at Central Saint Martins
The accelerating climate and ecological emergency is exposing the unsustainability and injustice of the political, social, and economic systems that have created them. An overarching goal for our programme community has necessarily become to question how graphic communication design practices can critique and intervene in the systems of extraction and exploitation that have led us to the brink of collapse.
Historically, graphic design has serviced various imbalanced power structures, and in this way, has contributed to perpetuating climate, racial and social injustices. At the same time, our discipline’s media and methods provide powerful tools for negotiating and communicating the complexities of the current moment.
The need for high quality and carefully nuanced communication is increasing as the complexity of intersecting crises escalates. In the context of widespread disinformation and cultures of media illiteracy, graphic communication design’s capacity for enhancing existing forms of public discourse – and generating new forms – is much needed.
Our programme is distinct in both its scale and its diversity and is well positioned to engage with our present challenges. We will consider these kinds of questions from a range of creative perspectives:
- How might graphic and communication design engage proactively with wider institutions and systems? • What role might our practices play in envisioning just and sustainable alternatives?
- What is the role of communication in redefining and recreating relations between humanity and nature?
As a community, we will collectively reimagine current and future role(s) for graphic communication design in the face of these urgent crises. We see this as a serious and vital challenge—the future has yet to be designed!”
Thinking about how my project aligns with UALs ‘Climate, racial and social justice principles’ and how GCD is framing this on our course handbook.
My intervention looks at Racial and Social justice in terms of decolonising the curriculum and institution, “decolonisation and decarbonisation of our education and creative practices.” (UAL, 2023), p.1).
It also aligns with “Cultivate systems thinking and practices that meaningfully acknowledge the interconnections and complexity of life on earth.” By looking at alternative knowledge sources, other than those associated with the Western canon and capitalism. And also ” design for possible futures”, typography, type design being part of a future language system that acknowledges global differences in cultures.
“Design for human equity, social and racial justice by mobilising critical thinking, humbly questioning the norms, practices and biases embedded in our societies and cultures. We recognise and reflect on our individual actions and societal values through self-awareness and reflective practice.”
This part I found to be particularly relevant as my intervention looks at how different cultures can be represented equally in a visual language that truly is representative of nuanced cultural differences.
References
University of the Arts London (2024) BA (Hons) Graphic Communication Design Course Handbook 2024–25. London: UAL