The Design of Dissent: Socially and Politically Driven Graphics

by Milton Glaser, Mirko Ilić, Tony Kushner (Foreward)

Chosen by the Editors at Amazon.com as one of the top 50 Best Books of 2005 - Now in paperback! With the world's economy in a slump, the Middle East's never ending conflict, and the on-going war on terrorism, there is a heightened awareness in the world community of the many sides of the numerous issues that both directly and indirectly affect our lives. Increasingly, people are feeling powerless and underrepresented because they have no voice. Designers, however, have a voice. They are among the most influential bystanders because their skills enable them to communicate a message easily through the Web or through posters and printed pieces. A picture is worth a thousand words and designers have used this adage to their advantage for years by creating simple yet powerful designs that immediately convey the message to the viewer. The Design of Dissent focuses on graphic work that designers have made as a result of social and political concerns. The time is certainly ripe as the U.S., and world, flares in opposition on so many important issues.

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction, Art Design, Politics, History, Social Justice

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Milton Glaser was a celebrated American graphic designer and artist, whose notable designs include the "I ❤ NY" logo, the psychedelic Bob Dylan poster, and the logos for DC Comics and Brooklyn Brewery. Born in the Bronx in 1929, he was educated at Cooper Union. In 1954, together with Seymour Chwast, Reynold Ruffins and Edward Sorel, he co-founded Push Pin Studios, which became a guiding reference in the world of graphic design. In 1968 he co-founded New York magazine with Clay Felker. Glaser had one-man-shows at the Museum of Modern Art and the Georges Pompidou Center. He was selected for the lifetime achievement award of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (2004) and the Fulbright Association (2011), and in 2009 he was the first graphic designer to receive the National Medal of the Arts award. Glaser died in June of 2020, of a stroke.

Reviews

[R.Friend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Few design publications can match the sheer volume of high-concept work presented here. Strong messages, strong visual communication. The work literally speaks for itself, and is followed by a lengthy interview of Milton Glaser by Steve Heller.

[Kevin Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, the collection of work in this volume doesn't quite seem expansive enough or categorized correctly to take away any or much inspiration. It would have been nice for the work to have been presented with a visual chronology of protest art and visuals displaying how dissent evolved thru the ages. It's a random smattering of artwork that takes a decidedly political and one-sided perspective as you continue. Also, the minimal amount of information in the captions doesn't help educate to the larger issues taking place in the creation of the pieces.

The extra star is for the absolutely fantastic, layered and nuanced interview with Milton and Steven Heller discussing the material and theories at hand. It will require repeat reading and thought for years to come.

[Christian Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy cow! this book is incredible, but not for the weak of heart... definitely rated NC-17 for disturbing images, lots of war images, etc. but this is a must-have for the serious graphic designer.

[Violeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men."

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of my graphic design siblings should have access to this book and read this book and continue designing in favor of dissent.

[Benjamin Wetmore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor selection, poorly executed. There are many better images and imagery to use, and yet the author's choice doesn't give you a glimpse into really great, compelling images, but rather tries to give a snapshot into a variety of select causes. The art should have come first, not the issues.

So you're treated to a variety of causes, moments, issues which reads chronological whereas it would have been much better to receive just all the really great dissent images with more commentary and context.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I found it when I was in college and going through a very minor "angst" period mixed with a dash a philosophy. This book was awesome. I have always liked graffiti art and protest. This book is a lot of fun to read and very powerful as well. A great coffee table book that you can keep looking at over and over.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another collection of world graphic art worth checking out.
Not for the timid or easily offended.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great design book chocked full of political pieces.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I used to use it as a text book in a design class I taught. Great art and some brilliant commentary by Tony Kushner.

"Art is not a mirror, it is a hammer!" —Fluxus

[che mahmoud · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب معادى للرأس مالية اوى... :D

[Katalin Eisenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gem of a book.

[Athena Shardbearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very powerful book. Show's propaganda from around the world, poster design for causes and a lot of work that was banned from public places.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wide variety of political dissent art, from all around the world.