Bristol Based Graphic Designer and Artworker

Introduction to Graphic Arts

MANIFESTO - Research continued

From looking at the manifestos of other designers and groups I have noticed two distinct types. As an example I want to compare two manifestos. First Things First by Ken Garland (among others)and Dogme 95 by Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. Forgetting that they are about two different disciplines, Graphic Design and Film-making, they approach the idea of making statements about their practice in different ways.

We do not advocate the abolition of high pressure consumer advertising: this is not feasible. Nor do we want to take any of the fun out of life. But we are proposing a reversal of priorities in favour of the more useful and more lasting forms of communication. We hope that our society will tire of gimmick merchants, status salesmen and hidden persuaders, and that the prior call on our skills will be for worthwhile purposes. With this in mind we propose to share our experience and opinions, and to make them available to colleagues, students and others who may be interested.

Quote from First things First - https://maxb.home.xs4all.nl/ftf1964.htm

First things First makes a bold statements about who a designer is and their role within the world. It talks about what the practice currently is and what it should be ideally. It talk about how designers should think about themselves and how they should consider their own practice within society.

3 - The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted.

4 - The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable. (If there is too little light for exposure the scene must be cut or a single lamp be attached to the camera).

Quote from Dogme 95 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogme_95

By Comparison Dogme 95 doesn’t look outwardly at the role that film making has on the world but rather looks at the specific aesthetic and practical choices that directors make when creating. Similar to Dieter Rams’ 10 Principles of Good design this manifesto comes in the form of a list of clear instructions on how to practice a creative subject.

Looking at these different examples is helpful for me to understand what different forms a manifesto can take and how I can apply this learning to my own.

Arthur BradleyComment