Graphic Design Heroes & Citizenship in Design

I find this an interesting argument. I tend to agree with Andy when it comes to this subject. As designers, we have to deal with client's needs and it is hard to insert a political stance into the design work we do. Mark has a good point as well about what eventually happens to rebellious design trends--even if who you are working for lets you do it, it might get incorporated into popular culture in a way that removes the edginess. But then, if it is incorporated, is it helping society to change. This makes me think about long hair in the 1960s. It was a big deal to have long hair as a man, but as the trend spread, it removed the stigma, and now it's a normal thing.

This paragraph in the main post sums up how one could take a stance in the work they do if they wanted to: "In order to make what van Toorn refers to as an “oppositional cultural production,” the designer must take care not to create a specific alternative to an established convention, but to simply present it in a creative and new way, while keeping the universally accepted concept intact. A designer’s opportunity to upset the status quote can only be sought when a political or ideological shift is underway, which results in “creating new public polarities,” usually targeting real social problems. Now the designer can encourage an oppositional stance, one that goes against the communicative order. The ultimate goal of this approach is to evoke questions and reflection among the public and encourage a more pragmatic view of reality, forcing them to identify their own needs and desires." 

I believe it is difficult to operate outside of the norm if you are selling things--the design of a product or a campaign must be within the realm of the consumer's experience, it can't stray too far or it will not be appealing. I think this is more possible in the art world, like Andy was saying, then in the context of graphic design. Graffiti is an example of an art form like this that really upsets the status quo and evokes questions and reflection among the public. However, it is because of the placement of the pieces of art outside of the normal space and the illegality of the art that makes them oppositional.