Society of Graphic Designers
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| Society of Graphic Designers | |
|---|---|
| Name | Society of Graphic Designers |
| Formation | 20th century |
| Type | Professional association |
| Headquarters | Major metropolitan centers |
| Region served | International |
| Membership | Graphic designers, typographers, art directors |
| Leader title | President |
Society of Graphic Designers
The Society of Graphic Designers is a professional association that represents practitioners in visual communication, typography, branding, and publication design. It operates alongside institutions such as Royal Society of Arts, American Institute of Graphic Arts, Design Council, International Council of Design, and universities like Rhode Island School of Design and Royal College of Art. The society engages with festivals, museums, and awards including Venice Biennale, Cooper Hewitt, D&AD, Pritzker Prize, and Clio Awards.
History
Founded in the 20th century amid movements like Bauhaus, De Stijl, Constructivism (art), and the rise of companies such as Hermann Zapf's foundries and Monotype Imaging, the society traces roots to professionalization efforts similar to those of AIGA and Alliance Graphique Internationale. Early influencers included practitioners associated with Jan Tschichold, Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Massimo Vignelli, and Milton Glaser, while parallel developments occurred in institutions like Ulmer Hochschule für Gestaltung, Chicago Institute of Design, and Basel School of Design (Schule für Gestaltung Basel). The society expanded through partnerships with galleries such as Tate Modern, Museum of Modern Art, and design schools like Parsons School of Design and Central Saint Martins.
Mission and Membership
The society's mission echoes statements from organizations including International Typography Union, UNESCO cultural programs, and initiatives by corporations like Apple Inc. and IBM that value user experience. Membership includes freelance designers, in-house art directors from entities such as Pentagram, IDEO, Frog Design, and staff from publishing houses like Penguin Books, Condé Nast, and The New York Times Company. Many members have backgrounds tied to studios associated with Herb Lubalin, Neville Brody, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, and Jessica Walsh.
Governance and Organization
Governance mirrors frameworks used by Royal Society, International Organization for Standardization, and nonprofit structures like Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A presidential board often includes representatives from agencies such as Landor Associates, Siegel+Gale, and academic seats from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of the Arts London, and California Institute of the Arts. Committees liaise with bodies like British Standards Institution and European Council of Designers for standards and advocacy.
Professional Standards and Ethics
The society promulgates codes inspired by documents from American Institute of Architects, Chartered Institute of Public Relations, and Institute of Chartered Accountants to address issues including intellectual property, client relations, and accessibility. It references legal frameworks such as Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, World Intellectual Property Organization, and regional statutes like Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Ethical guidance engages questions raised by practitioners like Ellen Lupton and Adrian Shaughnessy and industry responses to controversies involving companies such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter.
Education and Certification
Education programs collaborate with institutions like Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts, Otis College of Art and Design, and professional bodies such as Chartered Society of Designers. Certification pathways reflect models used by Project Management Institute and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, while continuing education includes workshops with practitioners connected to Pentagram, Sagmeister & Walsh, Wolff Olins, and guest lecturers from museums like Victoria and Albert Museum and Guggenheim Museum. The society supports accreditation dialogues similar to National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Events and Awards
The society organizes conferences, exhibitions, and juried awards in the spirit of Type Directors Club, Design Indaba, SXSW, and London Design Festival. Its awards echo formats of Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, Compasso d'Oro, and Goldsmiths Prize, celebrating work by studios such as House Industries, MetaDesign, Wolff Olins, and individuals associated with Jonathan Barnbrook and Chip Kidd. Exhibitions have appeared in venues like Barbican Centre, Centre Pompidou, and SFMOMA.
Impact and Criticism
The society has influenced professionalization akin to AIGA and Alliance Graphique Internationale while drawing critique similar to debates faced by Royal Academy of Arts and Museum of Contemporary Art. Critics have raised concerns about diversity, commercial influence, and gatekeeping comparable to controversies surrounding Artforum, Frieze Art Fair, and corporate partnerships with Nike and Coca-Cola. Advocacy efforts engage with initiatives led by Creative Commons, Human Rights Watch, and labor movements resembling Trade Union Congress to address labor practices, fair remuneration, and inclusion.