OUGD502: Tools of Protest, Craig Oldham Talk

Tools of Protest was advertised as a New Blood aimed talk, hosted by inspirational Graphic Designer Craig Oldham. I have researched Craig before, taking particular inspiration from his 'In Loving Memory of Work' publication and overall light tone of voice Oldham possesses. His talk was very down to earth and humorous, highlighting that if you can't make something serious, serious, then make it funny and evoke a reaction through a different means. The incorporation of other aspects of creativity do not need to be all graphically related, Oldham discussed often the best tools of protest are what people already have, referencing the Women for Miners protest in the 1980's. Passion was clear throughout the talk, with Craig being a really inspiring and enthusiastic speaker. 

"If you tell a joke and someone gets it, then they're kind of on board"

 Oldham discussed protest a lot, explaining how the Women against pit closures invented a social structure without even working, which in tern shifted patriarchy and lead to a rise in improvised, but never the less political design. Oldham said how the most successful protest design should be current but routed in something deeper. Value is whats important- rather than cost, meaning home made weapons of protest such as badges or songs were equally as powerful as campaigns as tools of distributing protest communication, and in many cases the underlying concept. The idea of re-appropriation as a tool is a huge aspect, as it allows the designer to tap into the audiences familiar and reinterpret that meaning. 

 Oldham called himself the "protest poster boy" in design due to his self initiated work, setting up his own studio after getting bored of the standard traditional design studios. Oldham discussed the culture around creativity and made it very clear that he doesn't fully get the creative industries view on rejecting creativity in 'non-sleek' forms, (e.g.: areas outside traditional graphic design), a view I also share and do not understand at all. He expressed how creativity could come from anybody and can be in any form, not necessarily processed into a sleek fancy campaign and we shouldn't discriminate against each other because of this.

"If somethings truly original it will be rejected as no-one will get it"

Small things can become a wider symbol of protest also, for example the Women against Pit Closures reappropriated radio parts into badges as a unifying component, acting as a cheap yet creative method of protest linking the unified visually together. Simple is powerful and creative jestures can be anything. Oldham discussed how distilling a message to the very core was always the best way to convey a deep message, using the example of singing you'll never walk alone, as song is a process we can all do. This made me think of aspects in everyday life we can do to provoke a meaning, no matter how small, something can be designed as a tool of protest. 

Still from slideshow, showing appropriated versions of Donald Trump holding stupid things up, implying he is a moron but in a more playful and humerous way, without directly calling him out.

Humour and human behaviour is something which often appeals more, so these are aspects I will bare in mind when conducting the Product, Range, Distribution brief, surrounding social issues.

Advice from Craig Oldham

The advice from Oldham essentially stemmed from honesty and positivity, encouraging self-learning and discovery with what you have. It was really inspiring to see someone who had built his own future from a northern town, becoming hugely successful in design within his own right. The aspect of sticking to his beliefs and raising questions about the world has been openly responded, and so I believe designers like this contribute to art and students wanting to have a voice, and wanting to change the world.

The talk from Craig Oldham was really inspiring and made me realise that the best design, is often the most simple. Later that day I also saw Mike Rigby from RGA New York talk, and the premise of his discussion was not around protest, but essentially around simplicity and problem solving. It is clear this is an underlying concept aiding successful design, and the simpler and the most transferable, often the greater response rate from the audience.

Mike Rigby discussed the 'Love Has No Label's' logo created by RGA, expressing diversity through love targeting stigma in America. The logo can be regenerated and reinterpreted for multiple situations, and the 'Kiss Cam' introduces an element of humour and playful seriousness within area's of large public speculation- sports games. Something as simple as a love heart on a big screen encourages people to come together and show love, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation. These resinate with me when considering Oldham's talk on tool's of protest, as often the simplest symbol or act can be the best tool of protest.