Design in the Sociopolitical Arena

by Andy on 10.10.08 | Comments (24)

Heather Mantovani is a design student who sent us her ideas for helping folks in this politically charged season to better understand fundamental differences in sociopolitical ideals. The first is called “Fish or Fishing Pole?” (.pdf) Heather suggests you fold the card in half and stand it on the TV while watching political debates. After each candidate offers a plan or idea or response, the card reminds you to evaluate whether the candidate is offering you a fish (something to help you only briefly) or offering you a fishing pole (to help you to sustain yourself better from now on). Great idea!

The second is a pro-Conservative postcard (.pdf) that clearly and plainly explains one of the fundamental pillars of Liberal ideology, which could help people quickly determine whether or not they hold with being treated in this regard ? or ? if they prefer the Conservative alternative.

Please note that these projects are not officially sanctioned by the organizations or websites referred to on the cards, as this is just a student exercise and design proposal.

I thought Heather’s work was very nice and that these were interesting examples of using design to communicate in the social arena. Thanks for sharing, Heather!

Click on either to download the printable PDF.

Fish or Fishing Pole?
Liberal or Conservative?

Categories: Design, Inspiration, Politics

Permalink | Comments (24)

Jason Robb :: Friday, October 10, 2008 8:44 am

Wow. Incredible work, Heather. That’s quite easily the best sociopolitical art I’ve seen this election. Thanks for sharing!

Josh Bruce :: Friday, October 10, 2008 2:55 pm

Very effective communication. Short, deliberate, and to-the-point. Also has wonderful allusion to the “Give me a fish…teach me to fish” quote.

John Stephens :: Friday, October 10, 2008 8:14 pm

Very good. I don’t hold with using “liberal” to mean “socialist” or “statist” though, *especially* not with a big ‘L’. Market liberalization is the *opposite* of socialism. Liberals are people who care about liberty– if you need to use an L-word, Leftist is handy.

Sharon Lamson :: Sunday, October 12, 2008 6:38 pm

I thought I’d break the “J” responses and offer my opinion. I loved the light-hearted approach to a very serious topic: the differences between liberalism and conservatism in the political arena in the fish piece. Loved the postcard, too and would love to see some of the reasons “you can” listed that represent convervative thinking.

John Stephens :: Monday, October 13, 2008 4:30 pm

> Loved the postcard, too and would love to see some of the reasons ?you can? listed that represent convervative thinking.

I’d like that too. If http://youcan.com/ was actually linked to the marketing piece, the “You Can” ideas could prominently highlighted there.

Ted :: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 8:41 pm

I’d like to see more of her work - I used the give a fish/teach to fish quote the other day, and Heather visually presented it perfectly.

Roger Godby :: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 9:08 pm

Drat! Now I’m going to have to order some of those online men’s medicines because you’ve dampened my Obamagasm.

Fish or Pole? « LGF II: Charles and Killgore Free Footballs :: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 9:59 pm

[...] politically informed graphics from design student Heather Mantovani, at Andy Rutledge?s place: Design in the Sociopolitical Arena. Posted in Barack Obama, Election 2008, John McCain. Tags: Election 2008, News, [...]

Fish or Pole? « Buttle’s World :: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 10:24 pm

[...] Fish or Pole? Filed under: Posts — buttle @ 19:24 Very nice. [...]

capitalistbaby :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 12:56 am

These are wonderful. Beautiful designs and a superb message. So simple yet so wise. Great job Heather!

Dan G. :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:19 am

The fish card is great! I thoroughly agree with John Stevens comment about sullying the word liberal by equating it with leftist. Leftists don’t like freedom, and can be found on both sides of the aisle.

RS :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:20 am

Very nice. Cute fish too. Too bad McCain & Co. aren’t one one-thousandth as capable at articulating this message. (Maybe because they don’t understand it themselves.)

JW :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:57 am

Nicely done. More please!

staghounds :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:58 am

I think this boils pretty much all domestic politics down to their ultimate essence, with a 3×5 card and four words. Not just economic ones, but the other issues too, and free of party labels. Some people want a fish, after all.

The Constitution is all fishing pole, the stuff politicians promise is generally a fish.

Seriously, seriously brilliant. I’m linking this, and everyone should see it.

SalsaNChips :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:04 am

Both are very nice. Especially like the “You Can” graphic. Please have these made into biuttons, bumper stickers or magnets!

JDubya :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:28 pm

I am forwarding this to everyone in the galaxy to promote.
Nice work!

newt :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:41 pm

this is utterly stupid. have fun losing w/ mcsame.

matt d. :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 1:45 pm

reasons you can:

alberto gonzalez
heckuva job brownie
ted stevens
sarah “i cant name a magazine” palin
harriet “supreme court” miers
oh, and lest we forgot,
George “Bring it on” Bush

Put that on a postcard.

Steve M. :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 3:03 pm

Very good. Perhaps there is hope yet for your generation, from the looks of it, you are the last glimmer of sanity. -Dad of an art student at UML.

GJ :: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 5:24 pm

Excellent work, Heather. Clever, concise, colorful, true.

InCoherent Liberal :: Friday, October 17, 2008 9:56 am

That fish looks suspiciously like Obama to me, right down to the scaley green skin! Is this some kind of racist smear tactic? How dare you use your artistic talents to spew such clever and painful truths. Don’t you know that the constitution protects only liberal expression and that artists are only allowed to promote left wing views? Unbelievable . . . this most definitely qualifies as ‘hate speech’. What art school did you go to anyways? Next time, please use your time more prudently by creating images that will truly enlighten our society, perhaps something along the lines as ‘Old Glory’ being fed into a meat grinder.

ildo :: Saturday, October 18, 2008 5:00 pm

Matt D: i love your blogger link. nice work.

Troy Dalmasso :: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 7:02 pm

Funny. But I disagree. Republicans will neither give you a fish nor teach you to fish. They will just privatize the pond and fence you out. ;)

Luke :: Friday, November 21, 2008 2:16 pm

Both well-done. The second is propaganda, plain and simple. It does not deepen anyone’s thinking in any way, or lead to “better understanding.” But it is well-done propaganda.

littlegreenfootballs2 » Blog Archive » Fish or Pole? :: Saturday, December 27, 2008 12:06 pm

[...] politically informed graphics from design student Heather Mantovani, at Andy Rutledge’s place: Design in the Sociopolitical Arena. (Hat tip:Chuckles) Tags: Election 2008, News, Politics Categories: Barack Obama, Election [...]