Final Year Dissertation

Graphic Language of Protest: Black Lives Matter

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Abstract

Graphic design has the potential to visually communicate messages of importance in relation to both social and political issues.

Embraced within the theme of the dissertation is a discussion of design ethics, to include ethical issues a designer may consider before taking on projects or clients. There is, for the designer, an opportunity to produce work that places the audience above profit and corporations. Leading the way in this have been well-known and respected names in the industry such as Ken Garland and Jonathan Barnbrook but other contemporary case studies examined in this dissertation include graphic designers who use their skills and platforms to

give a voice to issues facing Black and minority ethnic communities. The work of Emory Douglas, such as that for the Black Panther Party in the 1960s is examined and compared to / contrasted with that of Shepard Fairey.

The text argues that the new generation of graphic designers are often heavily influenced by social issues by examining the work of emerging artists taking on the graphic language of protest, such as Greg Bunbury and Dominique Roberts. As communication media for designers increasingly relies on social media platforms, the dissertation examines how online platforms can be harnessed by the design community to encourage positive social change.

Belfast Design Week