InDesign session: manifesto research

As I've already mentioned, choosing the right manifesto to work with is a really important stage, the success of outcome will depend on how close to me is the idea behind it. I've decided to focus on contemporary manifesto's, they are easier to understand and seem to be much more relevant. Spending few days browsing the Internet and the library shelfs, I've stopped on choosing between six.

1. Daniel's Eatock Mini Manifesto

Probably one of the most famous manifesto's by English graphic designer is an example of how complex views can be written in a simple way. It is inspiring, clever and perfectly reflects the work he does. Even though it is to short to be used, I decided to include it in my list, simply because I like it very much.

2. "Why Cheap Art?" Manifesto

Written by Bread & Puppet Glover in 1984 this manifesto proclaims art to be accesable and easy-to-understand for all. I fully support each line for it. The other reason I chose to write about it is it's great composition. Playing and fooling around with type makes it interesting and engaging and the bold 'HURRAH!' in the end makes me want to celebrate art in every form and shape.

3. OK Art Manifesto by Susie Ramsay and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer - is honest and full of self-irony. For me it's not about being a bad designer and doing nothing with it, but about accepting yourself, knowing that everything is in your hands and being ok with the fact that you are can't always be the best.

"OK artists really want to make great art, they shoot for the stars, but their work ends up being just OK. OK artists are OK with this"

4. "Credo" by Bob Noorda

Must read for every designer this manifesto contains recommendations and suggests how to be a good graphic designer. It isn't necessary to agree with the idea behind it, you can read it and immediatly forget. But in my opinion, in that relatively short piece of text Noorda had covered all the basic principles that will help you to succeed as a graphic designer.

5. Ten things I've learned by Milton Glaser - below is the short list, full text can be seen here

Our tutor suggested to read it during the InDesign session and I must say it is one of the best lists I've read in my life. Basically, it is more an essay, than a manifesto, where Glaser talks about the most important lessons life taught him. Reading this, not only will save your time, but also will make you look at a lot of things from a different angle.

"...So professionalism as a lifetime aspiration is a limited goal."

This is the quote from point 4, which I find a great statement by itself. Thinking that you are a proffesional limits you, simply because it means there is no way to grow for you anymore. In my opinion, we grow (as a designers) throughout our life and it is extremly important to never stop learning and exploring new things. Life is full of limits and boundaries, so don't complicate everything even more.

6. Pesto Manifesto by Peter Nowogrodzki

Peter Nowogrodzki is and art director of INCITE! magazine. This manifesto was written in 2008 and was a part of Manifesto Project Exhibition in 2010. It is the only information that I was able to find, so I don't have any idea why did he write. But the reason I decided to mention it here is just because it's funny. And designers need to do silly things with no reason from time to time. Helps to keep mind fresh. The other reason is because all the manifestos I've mentioned earliear were more or less serious and about design - this on has nothing do with graphic at all. I want to believe that Nowogrodzki just loves pesto so much, he decided to share his knowledge with other.

"Pesto is a delicacy that deserves to be made RIGHT"

Absolutely! Bad made pesto is a disaster, so why not to suggest people some tips in order to prevent outrage upon this delicious masterpiece of Italian kitchen? I can't find any reasons not to do that.