The Politics of Design: A (Not So) Global Design Manual for Visual Communication

By Ruben Pater

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 color 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, can they 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, color, symbols, and information.

By exploring the cultural meaning behind the symbols, maps, photography,  typography, and colors that are used every day, this book becomes a practical guide for design and communication professionals and students to create more effective and responsible visual communication.

Designed by Ruben Pater

Published by BIS Publishers, 2018

Softcover, 192 pages, full color and b&w, 4.2 × 6.8 inches 

ISBN: 978-9-06-369422-7