Graphic Design as a Persuasive Political Tool

Graphic design became a tool of mass persuasion for social and political causes during the early part of the twentieth century, especially through propaganda. Wikipedia defines propaganda as "a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position by presenting only one side of an argument. Propaganda is usually repeated and dispersed over a wide variety of media in order to create the chosen result in audience attitudes." Indeed, we see this form of influential communication especially prevalent in posters used by the government starting around World War I. Meggs writes in History of Graphic Design that "During the war, governments turned to the poster as a significant medium of propaganda and visual persuasion." (Page 283).

We even see differences in the style different countries used in their poster graphic design. For example, during World War I, the Central powers used traditions from the Vienna Succession movement and simplicity was a theme that originated the Plakatstil style. Meggs writes that "Words and images were integrated and the essence of the communication was conveyed by simplifying images into powerful shapes and patterns." (Page 283). On the other hand, the Allied powers used a more illustrative and realistic approach. We find more literal images rather than symbolic images to emphasize traditional values and efforts at home in American and British propaganda posters that expressed patriotism and public support for the war. Upon exploration of the different styles of propaganda posters, I've found that the graphics propaganda coming from Allied countries used many older traditions in graphic design. While the propaganda of the Central powers and especially in later years, the Soviet and communist powers, tend to be more groundbreaking and innovative in style. There is more use of modernist style and art movements from these countries to rally up to the people to support their causes.

Let's look at some examples. Take a look at this poster, an example of Allied propaganda. Notice the traditional qualities with the American flag colors draped around Lady Liberty. 

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIfmKsC6aAjw-rqHAwUZ_7oeBvu8FZDrwz96RmR94jE8vfsAQr7bavp-oCM2hgltBQh2kyVMXGU-ziZBFdG68fRQ_f4NnILtbjaF9Th8qPui6JtpzuNSNHbhrxWiq3fqQFuASqTHprKE/s320/debs_poster.jpg

Then let's contrast the above poster to this poster from Italy that celebrates Fascism in a strictly modernist flavor. The poster was modern and daring. and used to advertiser for the Mostra della Rivoluzione Fascista that was being held in Rome in 1933, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the coup that made Mussolini absolute ruler of Italy. This poster desfinitely seemed more innovative than the American poster. Notice the diagonal lines going up and to the right facing a figurative future. It has some cubist qualities as well.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2yS4NXbR2C3DRVfnJQ078wgfvDIm9TAWihbd3uCSIHn0AqAPjDtRgEOQmlrRABUKe6Dj0d5kvMxWjJ7nq1_dW5LrmomPtF7n2x-4ebCsNRRTR-aHKXe9lp2s1ZFibGqGjVAF89yft0s/s320/Yamato-e.jpg

We can see many other Modernist art movement styles represented in the political propaganda posters of the early twentieth century. I've listed two of them below in my exploration:

• "Beat the Whites with the red wedge" by El Lissitzky (1920). In this example of the avant garde movement, Lissitzky used various geometric color surfaces in an abstract fashion. A great example of how a subtle platform can suggest in a blunt propaganda massage.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_D29KX4NWQp_z0ZQOUpk3kxeH_qDLBWrLN98IROmsV2yn6DTW917VNODSEwyXhe9HmeuFlA3z-3VTNO6YzOu6oEbzyVw30ttxUU1ZmEqJTg0ar3Hyru4couvQvhruW7D-Zwqq_iamNY/s320/debs_poster.jpg

• "Liberated woman – build up socialism!" by Strakhov-Braslavskij A. I. (1926). Figurative Cubism style was used was introduced in this poster with geometric planes and flat, stylized, and dynamic forms with some abstract qualities.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcZcIU6tV1J9eH-C5AK36gQ5-WrRFh8Z0hJu8yiLkBKoXxCeNJI2RYiIyUgzAcYJHUC-KcNMysYdd8H37Tp51Z7AdzFbqyblC7ddkceRz_ikfSgneGn8oDpt6CH-X4k-G8qHX_g3L6ug/s320/debs_poster.jpg

In my exploration, I've also included the following propaganda posters that I've found very interesting:

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33gxzFKLn9SgPfbHiCLyHEkcL-OJ6YSIXE0BquzFDX4OIe6kss1t1xtN0bM5xLY3TL36aDvbAqBKcXT4mpMEXt_VcF83HayB7ATI55nbk3ynLhc2uJutNePQMMesd2QUMmBgEpDY00uI/s320/debs_poster.jpg

This above poster was created by Magda Koll and called "Four Rest at Homes Behind the Front for Soldiers from Bremen," commissioned in 1915. This poster was an example of minmalist design and notice the use of a simple color palette and flat imagery. It was created as the "German response to the Allied allegation of German barbarism in the first world war."

Source: http://www.crestock.com/uploads/blog/2008/propagandaposters/us_propaganda-1.jpg

The very recognizable American recruiting poster designed by James Montgomery Flag in 1917. Very traditional and patriotic values are demonstrated in this classic poster, as Uncle Sam points straight to the viewer with glaring eyes. Notice the simple yet bold image and colors with dark lines against a white background.

http://creativefan.com/files/2011/08/Russian-Revolution.jpeg

A poster from the Russian Revolution used to symbolize change. Notice the flat, graphic, red figures demolishing a softly sketched beige past. The use of hard angles and dynamic lines promote the future of an industrialized nation Russia was hoping to be. The large curve in the middle shows progression towards a bright future. There are no detailed features on the people. I think this is used as a technique to allow the viewer to better connect to the poster, showing that anyone can be a part of this movement.

Sources:

http://guity-novin.blogspot.com/2010/05/chapter-29-propaganda-posters.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda

http://creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/

http://www.designer-daily.com/10-amazing-cold-war-propaganda-posters-2901

http://www.crestock.com/blog/design/the-evolution-of-propaganda-design-us-retro-posters-122.aspx