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The Politics of Design

A (Not So) Global Design Manual for Visual Communication
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( 1,932 ratings, 208 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Politics of Design by Ruben Pater examines how visual communication travels across cultures and languages, highlighting the responsibilities designers bear in recognising the cultural meanings embedded in their work. This book delves into the cultural significance of typography, imagery, colour, and symbols, using anthropology and sociology to reveal the often overlooked political and social dimensions of design. It serves as a practical guide for designers and students to create more culturally aware and responsible communication that avoids stereotyping and fosters mutual understanding worldwide.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4999

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This title is ideal for design professionals, communication experts, and students seeking a deeper understanding of the cultural and political impact of visual communication in a global context.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

With communication comes responsibility; are designers aware of the meaning and impact of their work? This is a collection of visual examples from around the world. It explores the cultural meaning behind the symbols, maps, photography, typography, and colours that are used every day.

Politics of Print shows the importance of visual literacy when communicating beyond borders and cultures. It explores the cultural meaning behind the symbols, maps, photography, typography, and colours that are used every day. It is a practical guide for design and communication professionals and students to create more effective and responsible visual communication.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Many designs that appear in today's society will circulate and encounter audiences of many different cultures and languages. With communication comes responsibility; are designers aware of the meaning and impact of their work? An image or symbol that is acceptable in one culture can be offensive or even harmful in the next. A typeface or colour in a design might appear to be neutral, but its meaning is always culturally dependent.

If designers learn to be aware of global cultural contexts, we can avoid stereotyping and help improve mutual understanding between people. The Politics of Design is a collection of visual examples from around the world. Using ideas from anthropology and sociology, it creates surprising and educational insight in contemporary visual communication. The examples relate to the daily practice of both online and offline visual communication: typography, images, colour, symbols, and information.

The Politics of Design shows the importance of visual literacy when communicating beyond borders and cultures. It explores the cultural meaning behind the symbols, maps, photography, typography, and colours that are used every day. It is a practical guide for design and communication professionals and students to create more effective and responsible visual communication.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

AIGA.com praises the book as essential literature for art students, complemented by esteemed thinkers like Albers and Berger, to navigate the contemporary design landscape. New Design Magazine recognises Ruben Pater's use of anthropology and sociology to offer eye-opening insights. Form Magazine Germany emphasises its reminder that every design choice carries political weight, positioning the book as an invaluable tool to understand and responsibly approach design's ideological contexts.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9789063694227

Publisher: BIS Publishers B.V.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 July 2016

Country: Netherlands

Imprint: BIS Publishers B.V.

Illustration: Illustrations, color

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 114.0mm

Height: 174.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Ruben Pater is a designer and researcher from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He finished the master programme of the Sandberg institute in 2012, and as β€˜Untold Stories’ he works on self-initiated and collaborative projects between journalism and graphic design. Past projects are Double Standards (2012), the Drone Survival Guide (2013), and Behind the Blue Screen (2014). His work has received several international awards and is featured in exhibitions around the world.

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