As a Malaysia graphic designer trained and practiced over nearly fifteen years, I have always belief that graphic design is much more than just working on the surface of the visual. Indeed it is part of the line-of-job that visual improvement and enhancement is required, however, the construction of visual meaning and symbols influences the way we portray the graphic narrative work to others. We, as graphic designers concerned with the communication process, whether it is convey clearly to others or not. But do you also concerned about the impact of the meaning that we created, do we influence the political views and social consciousness, or we just don’t care.
I am aware that in the other parts of the world the roles of graphic designer and other visual artist have strengthen. Most of the artist such as Shaferd Farley, a graphic designer and graffiti artist have make use of their talent and knowledge not only to communicates information and make social commentary but also to express and connect on particular topic of discussion with the other part of society. The solo exhibition work done by Shaferd Farley (Obey) is discussing about political changes and influences in our life focusing on how it is narrated advertisement, is similarly discussed in one of my PhD chapters in the context of Malaysia.
Here are some of his work and further link to his work OBEY
