Graphic Designers must take stock. As a profession we must own up to our part of the problem, and take responsibility in the roles we collectively have played in collaborating on this latest free market collapse. We are accountable because we create the identities for corporations, which produce products we all consume. Who really cares if Coke wins over Pepsi, the stockholders do. I don't drink either; I used to drink bottled water, which is problematic in and of itself. I now carry a water bottle. It is a game of divide and concur market share. Along with choice comes personal responsibility, which we as a society have not owned up very well over the last 30 years.
The generation from the 1960's had an expression "Tune In, Drop Out", to express they're unwillingness to support corruption. This was also the last generation to face challenges as difficult as ours. Since Vietnam, the last great clash of conscience (one which still has its casualties). We have repeatedly fallen for false signals but have managed to remain intact. As we see stock prices plummet and companies fail we are quickly realizing that the free ride is over, our way of life is in jeopardy. We all must be more accountable for our actions. I am cautiously optimistic in this generation that we have learned our lessons and we will strive to not repeat past mistakes.
As Graphic Designers we are the thinkers and the symbol makers. We draw attention to information and worthwhile causes. We also crea...
