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Questioning the Canon: Creating Diversity in Graphic Design History Zine Exhibition

The Canon of Graphic Design History is full of significant gaps. Consider the following:

How many women are a part of its storytelling?

What regions were considered or left out?

How well represented is the whole of the world’s population?

For this project, students used Meggs’ History of Graphic Design as a sounding board and jumping off point for their research. It is a well-regarded and extensive textbook on the topic of graphic design history and although the current edition is more inclusive of design outside of the United States and Europe than in previous editions, it is still criticized for its lack of diversity.

Students conducted original research into an under-served or under-considered graphic designer, design group, movement, or region. They then used this research to create an Instagram post, a TikTok video, an exhibition poster, and the zines featured here.

This work was produced for the Fall 2022 class, FNAR 332 Visual Communications III, taught by Kelli Evans, Assistant Professor of Visual Communication.