In the modern era, it was Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign that felt designed. The mark was perfect, the typography consistent—and made Gotham ubiquitous. All the materials just felt they were following brand guidelines—because they were.
In her piece for PRINT Magazine, Amelia Nash gathers five designers to talk about political design. This is a quote from Min Lew, partner at Base Design:
Political design turns ideals into imagery. The best work does more than convince. It invites people in, helping them feel part of something bigger. In a noisy, fragmented media landscape, design can cut through, speaking to emotion before intellect.
Design doesn’t decide politics, but it shapes how politics is perceived, and perception often becomes reality. The real question is how the design can be done thoughtfully, with integrity, and with intention.
