Project: komma 26 — propaganda

Context: Independent student project (at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences)

Fields: editorial design

It grows and proliferates. The seed that germinates within you and gives rise to the idea.

propagere, plant, spread

We encounter propaganda everywhere; the first thing we see is totalitarian states, politics, brainwashing. Manipulation in the economy, advertising promises, superlatives. Influence through social media.

«This is all contructed. Please note that a filter was used here.»

«Buy the product because I’m honestly really excited about it and you should too.»

When was the last time you encountered propaganda? When was the last time you propagated? Designers help shape society because almost everything we see has been designed. We decide how we convey information, we decide with what aim. Which desires do we awaken in which target group and then satisfy them with the products we design? What fears do we exploit? Do we help people to emancipate themselves or do we disempower them?

Photography by Anton Weise and Gabriel Weimer