Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 2008–18
the Design Museum, London
2018
From the Financial Crash to the US presidential election that shocked the world, this exhibition – and accompanying book – explore the role of graphic design in one of the most politically turbulent decades in recent history. Including examples as varied as propaganda from North Korea, fake posts disseminated by Russian troll farms, a human billboard campaign against sexual harassment in China, anti-Zuma rallies from South Africa and satirical comment from The Netherlands, the show and book demonstrate how graphic design has given voice to political hopes and fears around the world. Originated and co-curated by GraphicDesign&, as traditional media rubs shoulders with the hashtag and the meme, the work of celebrated graphic designers sits alongside that of amateurs, covering local issues as well as worldwide campaigns.
It’s difficult to strike a balance when representing both sides, so it’s impressive that this show manages to perfectly straddle this line… It’s current, it’s relevant, it’s powerful, and it’s one of the best exhibitions of the year so far.
Londonist
Obviously this is an exhibition about design, at the Design Museum. But even objectively, it shows the power of graphic design and digital design, too, as possibly the most vital, and certainly most visible, tools of dissent that we have.
AIGA Eye on design
Originated by
GraphicDesign&
Curators
Lucienne Roberts, GraphicDesign&
David Shaw, GraphicDesign&
Margaret Cubbage, the Design Museum
with Rebecca Wright, GraphicDesign&
2d design, art direction, marketing design
LucienneRoberts+
3d design
Dyvik Kahlen Architects
Lighting design
DHA
AV commission
Paul Plowman
Exhibition photography
Benjamin Westoby
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