Triangulation refers to a process where you compare and contrast different texts in relation to your argument (3 or more).
First things first manifesto 1964:
The 1960's saw the rise of consumerism post war due to a higher disposable income.
Designers are selling out and are used to sell unnecessary products. (these do not contribute to society in a positive way).
It is considered a waste of talent and creativity to focus on selling.
Designers should have principles and ethics.
A reversal of priorities and not a complete rejection of advertising.
A collective and shared responsibility by a group of people.
Advertising as part of consumerism is considered a "high pitched scream" which is "no more than sheer noise".
Design should create a "greater awareness of the world" through campaigns and other forms of design which have a positive input on society.
First things first manifesto 2000 (updated version of the 1964)
This manifesto is focused on students as well as graphic practitioners, the need for education and sharing the knowledge of creating design which does good leads on from the end of the 1964 manifesto where it states they wish to "share our experience and opinions".
This manifesto is definitely viewed as more urgent (tone of voice) and is putting thoughts into action rather than simply stating there is a problem like the 1964 version. "no more decades will pass before it is taken to heart". This quote along with others is demanding immediate change.
"Many of us have grown increasingly uncomfortable with this view of design"
Graphic design isn't just about selling products it can also do good: "unprecedented environmental, social and cultural crises demand out attention".
"There are pursuits more worthy of our problem solving skills.
First things first (revisited) Rick Poyner
Socialist view in a consumerist society- negative point of view on consumerism.
Reinforces the idea that we have become somewhat immune to consumerism and products may be no different "in real terms of its rivals" we are directed by the designer in "how we perceive it" and in turn what seduces us to buy said product is "its image".
Corporate work is never a-political and as a designer you cannot escape the politics no matter how hard you try. "Design is not a neutral value-free process" (Katherine McCoy).
It is perceived as impossible to try to change the system without causing some form of a revolution. Due to the nature of consumerism it is driven by the wealthy and forms as a cycle to poorer people.
From the 1960's people where idealistic and thought that they could change the world with their design. However we are now more realistic and have concluded that we cannot change the world on our own, but if enough people follow our own beliefs it can be possible to produce change.
Beirut's 79 short essays on design:
The first things first manifesto was signed by designers who were already well known and wealthy. They are "unfamiliar to the average rank-and-file American graphic designer".
"to some extent we are all helping draft a reductive and immeasurably harmful code of public discourse".
"If your model is the cultural mish-mash of the everyday landscape, then commerce is the very glue- visually socially and economically- of American civic space".
However if we withdraw from this space then products would be designed badly, visual culture of products and stores, and generally our society would have awful design. Designers are needed to ensure that work is bearable.
An incomplete manifesto for growth (Bruce Mau)
Both the 1964 manifesto and this manifesto by Bruce Mau both celebrate the idea of creativity and self. The artist and the artwork being the most important.
First things first is extremely formal and speaks on behalf for an entire group of people's beliefs. It is an agreed set of values which is written as an educated argument or statement against consumerism. However Bruce Mau's manifesto is his own opinion and simply only states his own values and beliefs. It is heavily informal through the use of slang and his own witty comments written underneath. It speaks from his own experiences as a designer who has converted to produce design which does good for society.
"Growth" is personal development and it pushes the idea of keeping ourselves content and developing our own skills sets rather than seeing our work from the perspective of society. It is seen as an individual responsibility to ourselves to ensure that we do "grow" as designers. The numbered list is simply a list of different points, however some of those contradict themselves and it isn't written formally, therefore the list of his manifesto isn't directing us as designers/ viewers to do anything whatsoever, it is simply encouraging us to dissect his manifesto and decide ourselves which parts of advice we take.
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