An Effort to Integrate Social and Environmental Awareness into Graphic Design Education

Abstract

Higher education has an obligation not only to teach discipline-specific skills but also to provide a safe place for students to develop critical thinking and practice expressing their voices. Description of a class project demonstrates the power of graphic design as a vessel for shaping public perception around climate, public health, and inequality. In most cases, graphic design is mass-produced and targets mass audiences with deep ties to commerce, therefore, it is vital to establish strong ethical conduct regarding its public responsibility. It is fair to say that the graphic design profession not only has a direct link with consumer culture and the economy, but also may shape social norms, beliefs, and behaviors; therefore, it is essential that designers initiate new narratives, by standing up for social values and by creating a sustainability mindset.