The Design of Dissent: Socially and Politically Driven Graphics (Hardcover)

by Milton Glaser (Author), Mirko Ilic (Author), Tony Kushner (Author) "To many, Milton Glaser is the embodiment of American graphic design..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Israel Year, Slovenia Year (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
With a vibrant display of buttons, posters and leaflets that protest the Iraq war, the corporate media, the Israeli military and all points between, this book cuts a wide swath, indeed. Assembled by designer Glaser, best known for his I ? NY logo, and Ilic, a School of Visual Arts instructor and author of several books on design, the book bursts with compelling political designs from all over the world, but it lacks an overall direction and shape. Neither a deeply snoozeriffic foreword by playwright Tony Kushner nor a rambling interview of Glaser by the New York Times' Steven Heller give any clear indication of the books' overall purpose. Not that there aren't images here to make the skin crawl and the blood boil, including a photo montage of victims processed at a Khmer Rouge extermination facility, and silverware superimposed on either side of a cow collapsed in meat factory filth. The most fascinating section of the book focuses on conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, bringing the region's brutal recent history to life with a shocking immediacy and quiet rage. However, despite the book's striking and colorful individual parts, it comes across as a loosely organized compendium of leftist protest paraphernalia.
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Review
"The book's images will test the visual literacy and political awareness of many readers and will challenge preconceptions and assumptions." -- Los Angeles Times, July 31, 2005

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592531172
• ISBN-13: 978-1592531172
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #622,894 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than Pages, May 18, 2005

By	Eric Schmider - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is packed with powerful images that are beautiful, but sometimes difficult to look at. That being said, you can't help getting lost in them. The images come from an endless number of countries and address a wide variety of issues with text that briefly explains the issue and the work itself. It's so captivating because you can quickly get the information you need and then concentrate on the work. The design is equally amazing and even includes a flip book half-way through. If you buy one book this year - buy this one because you'll learn a lot about what's going on in this world - especially things you don't hear on the news.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Design of Dissent, August 4, 2005

By	S. Fern - See all my reviews

Milton Glaser, Mirko Iilic & Tjony Kusner have put together a visually powerful book. The posters were drawn from individuals and groups around the world and encompass artwork from the 1960's to the present. They express a broad spectrum of concerns from many viewpoints.

Mr. Glaser has stated in an interview "the general perception I have is that design can function in culture and has a social role that cannot be only about selling goods". This is certainly true of the design art found in this book. The brief accompanying text to each poster adds to the reader's appreciation and is often invaluable to understanding the meaning of some posters that use language or symbols the reader may not be familiar with.

This is not a "coffee-table" book. The impact of the images and messages are direct, dramatic, sometimes humorous, and often very intense. You don't have to be a graphic designer to appreciate this book. If you believe as Mr. Glaser does that "dissent protects democracy", this book is worth a long look.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Large size, full color, smart thinking in text, a gem of a book, November 26, 2007

By	Robert D. Steele (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Design of Dissent: Socially and Politically Driven Graphics (Paperback)

I bought this book for my son last year, and ended up reading it and going through it myself as I start to think more about collective intellligence, five minds, group IQ and such. Dissent and diversity are so important to all of us, that I am moved to suggest this book--which Amazon is offering at a price way below its actual value--as the perfect Christmas present for any college student or any adult.

Start at the end of the book, with the interview of Milton Glaser by Steven Hellor, "Dissenting Conditions," and the directory of contributors.

I think this book is a classic work, and I hope the publisher will issue an updated or follow on version at least every five years.

This is a GEM of a book.

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