Design Book Club is an opportunity for creatives to learn about a new topic through reading and discussion with fellow creatives. Just like any other book club, Design Book Club will select readings on design topics such as advertising, UX/UI, design thinking, freelance, and more. After the allotted reading time, the group will meet up for in depth discussion. Readings will include books and articles.

How it works:
    •    Selected reading will be posted with links to buy or rent.

    •    Sign up! Design Book Club groups are limited to 12 people for more intimate discussion.

    •    Read! Each reading will have different allotted time based on reading length.

    •    Meetup! After the allotted time, the group will meet in person for discussion. Questions and prompts are sent ahead of time.


Current Reading Selection:
The Politics of Design by Ruben Pater
The Politics of Design explores the cultural and political context of the typography, colours, photography, symbols, and information graphics that we use every day. Designers, communication specialists, and image-makers possess the power to shape visual communication, and with that power comes great responsibility. Are we as creative professionals really aware of the political meaning and impact of our work in today’s network society? This book examines cultural contexts and stereotypes with visual examples from around the world. It demonstrates that communication tools are never neutral, and encourages its users to rethink global cultural understanding. Additional works by contemporary artists and designers show that political awareness does not limit creativity, but opens up new explorations for a critical visual culture. More about the book here.

About The Author
Under the name Untold Stories, Ruben Pater creates visual narratives that support solidarity, justice, and equality. This often starts as a collaboration with other disciplines to create new perspectives on complex social and political issues. Visual stories that reach a wide audience through publications, installations, interactive media, or film. His Drone Survival Guide (2013), received worldwide attention as a discussion piece on military drones. In his book The Politics of Design (BIS Publishers, 2016) he looks at the responsibilities of designers in visual culture. He teaches at the bachelor of graphic design and the master Non-Linear Narrative at the Royal Academy of Art in the Hague, the Netherlands. www.untold-stories.net

Buy:
Amazon

Rent:
Pittsburgh Library System

Book Discussion Meetup:
Wednesday, June 12th
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Delanie’s Coffee
1737 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Event imagery created by AIGA Member, Josie Norton. Check out her work.