Graphic Design for social change!

How influential is your work? Have you ever had a dream if one day your work will be an inspiration for others and even the world's population? Never Stop Dreaming!. Graphic design world has grown so rapidly as the progress of human civilization it self. It has originated from a picture message that is found on cave walls (hieroglyphics), continues on vellum, papyrus paper, building (architecture) for example in a temple, until now all be done in digital media. Everything has the same function, it is to convey "something" to others.



Graphic design using visual media to convey a message. From the commercial world such as brand identity and advertising, up to the presidential campaign even in war time propaganda! Perhaps this is why I believe if the world of graphic design also serves to change the world. :) It depends on which direction you oriented: positive or negative.

Perhaps this is one reason that makes Victor Papanek said in his book entitled "Design for the Real World", the role of design and designers strived to be a pioneer in addressing the changes and updates.



Here are some sites that use graphic design as an intermediary for the media to convey the message calls and invites us to care for the environment.

1 Greenpeace

Greenpeace has long been a non-profit organization campaigning for environmental protection, and often hold competitions to design posters for their purpose is. How does a visual display to represent the message of change?

see this 'Greenpeace Design Awards 2009' event posters collection below

2 FuturArc

Architecture has become a very powerful medium in communicating the message in a tangible form. At this year FuturArc has held a design contest themed 'Green Issue' for the designers of buildings or landscape-themed environment.

3 Zodshopdesign

Zodshopdesign, is one site that specifically design all forms of print design such as: brochures, leaflets, logos to packaging products with an environmental theme. Rather than compete in the commercialism of design, they dare to position themselves holding the 'Environmentally sensitive design' tagline .

"The only important thing about design is how it relates to people."
—Victor Papanek

Conclusion

It will be very unfortunate if the graphic design with all its potentials to urge the public if used only as a means to support material or subsistence. A graphic designer is supposed to think, and better functioning of his work for the public good. Not limited to the media, is not that important function?

What do you think?