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Black, Queer, and Untold: A New Archive of Designers, Artists, and Trailblazers
Growing up in Seale, Alabama as a Black Queer kid, then attending the Rhode Island School of Design as an undergraduate, Jon Key hungered to see himself in the fields of Art and Design. But in lectures, critiques, and in the books he read, he struggled to see and learn about people who intersected with his identity or who GOT him. So he started asking himself
What did it mean to be a graphic designer with his point of view? What did it mean to be a Black graphic designer? A Queer graphic designer? Someone from the South? Could his identity be communicated through a poster or a book? How could identity be archived in a design canon that has consistently erased contributions by designers who were not white, straight, and male?
In Black, Queer, & Untold , acclaimed designer and artist Jon Key answers these questions and manifests the book he and so many others wish they had when they were coming up. He pays tribute to the incredible designers, artists, and people who came before and provides them an enduring, reverential stage – and in doing so, gifts us a book that immediately takes its place among the creative arts canon.
What did it mean to be a graphic designer with his point of view? What did it mean to be a Black graphic designer? A Queer graphic designer? Someone from the South? Could his identity be communicated through a poster or a book? How could identity be archived in a design canon that has consistently erased contributions by designers who were not white, straight, and male?
In Black, Queer, & Untold , acclaimed designer and artist Jon Key answers these questions and manifests the book he and so many others wish they had when they were coming up. He pays tribute to the incredible designers, artists, and people who came before and provides them an enduring, reverential stage – and in doing so, gifts us a book that immediately takes its place among the creative arts canon.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published November 19, 2024
4 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 5, 2024
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review**
It's no secret that minorities are still excluded from many LGBTQ+ spaces and often face even harsher discrimination due to the intersection of racism and homophobia. That’s why I’m eagerly anticipating the physical release of this book. It’s a powerful non-fiction memoir/historical procession of the authors journey growing up queer and black and reflecting on important figures throughout history.
With that the author shines a light on Queer History in general through the lens of Black intellectuals, fighters, political figures, writers, artists, activists, and more, spanning from the 19th century to today.
What stood out to me the most were the artifacts—ranging from photographs to newspaper clippings and drawings—which brought history to life. I also appreciated the fresh insights of the author’s life. A
vulnerable yet strong and empowering narration.
(Some background information was entirely new to me, and I was thrilled to learn more about some of my favorite historical figures, like Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison)
Thank you NetGalley and Jon Key for the ARC!
It's no secret that minorities are still excluded from many LGBTQ+ spaces and often face even harsher discrimination due to the intersection of racism and homophobia. That’s why I’m eagerly anticipating the physical release of this book. It’s a powerful non-fiction memoir/historical procession of the authors journey growing up queer and black and reflecting on important figures throughout history.
With that the author shines a light on Queer History in general through the lens of Black intellectuals, fighters, political figures, writers, artists, activists, and more, spanning from the 19th century to today.
What stood out to me the most were the artifacts—ranging from photographs to newspaper clippings and drawings—which brought history to life. I also appreciated the fresh insights of the author’s life. A
vulnerable yet strong and empowering narration.
(Some background information was entirely new to me, and I was thrilled to learn more about some of my favorite historical figures, like Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison)
Thank you NetGalley and Jon Key for the ARC!
December 11, 2024
This is my book of the year for 2024 - if I could give it 6 stars, I would.
Jon Key's book discusses queer Black design through the ages, mixed in with autobiographical anecdotes, interview excerpts, and images to create an incredible thoughtful and well-written book. The chronological nature of the book mirrored in the autobiographical elements makes you feel like you're going on a journey through time and space.
Jon Key's language and style means that you never feel patronised by technical language and the way he describes artworks is second to none. Every word felt like it had been carefully chosen to fulfil a role.
I enjoyed the variety of people and media covered throughout the book including album artwork, book covers, zines, and other print media. The design of the book was sublime too - this book is not just interesting and informative, it is also a cornucopia of visual delights.
It was a pleasure to read the digital version of this book and I will be buying it in print too (yes, I'm also one of those people, Jon).
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC
Jon Key's book discusses queer Black design through the ages, mixed in with autobiographical anecdotes, interview excerpts, and images to create an incredible thoughtful and well-written book. The chronological nature of the book mirrored in the autobiographical elements makes you feel like you're going on a journey through time and space.
Jon Key's language and style means that you never feel patronised by technical language and the way he describes artworks is second to none. Every word felt like it had been carefully chosen to fulfil a role.
I enjoyed the variety of people and media covered throughout the book including album artwork, book covers, zines, and other print media. The design of the book was sublime too - this book is not just interesting and informative, it is also a cornucopia of visual delights.
It was a pleasure to read the digital version of this book and I will be buying it in print too (yes, I'm also one of those people, Jon).
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC
May 6, 2025
Growing up in Seale, Alabama as a Black Queer kid, then attending the Rhode Island School of Design as an undergraduate, Jon Key hungered to see himself in the fields of Art and Design. But in lectures, critiques, and in the books he read, he struggled to see and learn about people who intersected with his identity or who GOT him. So he started asking himself questions: What did it mean to be a graphic designer with his point of view? What did it mean to be a Black graphic designer? A Queer graphic designer? Someone from the South? Could his identity be communicated through a poster or a book? How could identity be archived in a design canon that has consistently erased contributions by designers who were not white, straight, and male?
This was a Read Now book I was supposed to read from Netgalley before it was published but I didn’t get around to it so I listened to this book on Audible. I enjoyed this book. I didn’t know anything about this subject but I thought it was interesting.
This was a Read Now book I was supposed to read from Netgalley before it was published but I didn’t get around to it so I listened to this book on Audible. I enjoyed this book. I didn’t know anything about this subject but I thought it was interesting.
June 27, 2025
Rating: 5* of five
The Publisher Says: Growing up in Seale, Alabama as a Black Queer kid, then attending the Rhode Island School of Design as an undergraduate, Jon Key hungered to see himself in the fields of Art and Design. But in lectures, critiques, and in the books he read, he struggled to see and learn about people who intersected with his identity or who GOT him. So he started asking himself, What did it mean to be a graphic designer with his point of view? What did it mean to be a Black graphic designer? A Queer graphic designer? Someone from the South? Could his identity be communicated through a poster or a book? How could identity be archived in a design canon that has consistently erased contributions by designers who were not white, straight, and male?
In Black, Queer, & Untold , acclaimed designer and artist Jon Key answers these questions and manifests the book he and so many others wish they had when they were coming up. He pays tribute to the incredible designers, artists, and people who came before and provides them an enduring, reverential stage—and in doing so, gifts us a book that immediately takes its place among the creative arts canon.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: A man whose way to view the world is through the lens of visual design is a rare soul, one of a tiny brotherhood who embrace this view.
Now imagine knowing this about yourself, then running into a wall erected to exclude you because you're Black. Overcoming that hurdle, if you do, only now to realize you still must jump the huge hurdles placed in both directions for you because you're Queer.
That's Jon Key's life. In putting his experiences as a Black, Queer, creative man into context, he's offered us beautiful images, lovely descriptive words for them that are both evocative and analytical, and details about them, their creators, and the milieu in which they were created.
No matter where you go, there we are.
An example of the page design.
Text from the period, nineteenth century America; illustration of Mary.
What Author Key does with this beautifully designed and carefully considered book is show and tell us, from our variety of privileges, how far we have—and have not—come as a society.
I cannot imagine this performer's act would be possible to present in the 21st century. Loss, or gain?
I don't know if these images will convey to you the visual and cultural richness of the read. As expected for a book by a very visual author, it is a beautiful object. I'm also deeply glad I now know so much more about Queer, and Black Queer, life through the US's history of multiple oppressions.
A book to have on your shelves for inspiration, edification, and uplift.
The Publisher Says: Growing up in Seale, Alabama as a Black Queer kid, then attending the Rhode Island School of Design as an undergraduate, Jon Key hungered to see himself in the fields of Art and Design. But in lectures, critiques, and in the books he read, he struggled to see and learn about people who intersected with his identity or who GOT him. So he started asking himself, What did it mean to be a graphic designer with his point of view? What did it mean to be a Black graphic designer? A Queer graphic designer? Someone from the South? Could his identity be communicated through a poster or a book? How could identity be archived in a design canon that has consistently erased contributions by designers who were not white, straight, and male?
In Black, Queer, & Untold , acclaimed designer and artist Jon Key answers these questions and manifests the book he and so many others wish they had when they were coming up. He pays tribute to the incredible designers, artists, and people who came before and provides them an enduring, reverential stage—and in doing so, gifts us a book that immediately takes its place among the creative arts canon.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: A man whose way to view the world is through the lens of visual design is a rare soul, one of a tiny brotherhood who embrace this view.
Now imagine knowing this about yourself, then running into a wall erected to exclude you because you're Black. Overcoming that hurdle, if you do, only now to realize you still must jump the huge hurdles placed in both directions for you because you're Queer.
That's Jon Key's life. In putting his experiences as a Black, Queer, creative man into context, he's offered us beautiful images, lovely descriptive words for them that are both evocative and analytical, and details about them, their creators, and the milieu in which they were created.
No matter where you go, there we are.
An example of the page design.
Text from the period, nineteenth century America; illustration of Mary.
What Author Key does with this beautifully designed and carefully considered book is show and tell us, from our variety of privileges, how far we have—and have not—come as a society.
I cannot imagine this performer's act would be possible to present in the 21st century. Loss, or gain?
I don't know if these images will convey to you the visual and cultural richness of the read. As expected for a book by a very visual author, it is a beautiful object. I'm also deeply glad I now know so much more about Queer, and Black Queer, life through the US's history of multiple oppressions.
A book to have on your shelves for inspiration, edification, and uplift.
July 26, 2025
I found and bought this beautiful book at the publisher's tent at the 2025 Montclair, N.J. Pride Festival after the No King! protest. I loved the blend of history, memoir, and analysis of the hundreds of print artifacts Key curated for this important project.
December 23, 2025
What a beautifully designed book about design. Makes my designer heart sing :’)
I learned so so much about Black history through the lens of design, performers, poets, and more! I hope this becomes required reading in design school.
I learned so so much about Black history through the lens of design, performers, poets, and more! I hope this becomes required reading in design school.
April 26, 2025
It's important to remember that this book is a memoir NOT an academic treatment of this subject. With an editor on board, the book would've been stronger.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews