Graphic Design Systems, or Systems in Graphic Design?

Adapted from the opening essay of my Graphic Design Systems project done at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

“Systems” exist inherently across all domains of design (and for that matter, life) in the sense that anything which is designed, needs to be in accordance with the “system” in any of its aforementioned meanings. But when we look at graphic design, a system is commonly seen as a visual system — a style guide of sorts for a visual identity, or a formal guide for layouts, as in grid systems.

So when we say a Design Project is an exploration of Graphic Design Systems, what are the systems that the project is supposed to build? Or take down? Or investigate?

Is this about the internal systems we design, to cohesively produce design solutions and maintain consistency, hierarchy, and a sense of order in whatever communication visuals that we design. Are these the graphic design systems that this project is all about, then? Developing a visual identity for the chosen subject matter, creating a style guide for its execution, applying it cohesively to every single unit of the deliverables, and ensuring that it adheres to a specified set of do’s and don’ts? Or going deeper into this- is this about the smaller units- the elements of graphic design which build up our vocabulary of design? Is the graphic design system formed by the combination of text and images, signs and symbols, typefaces and visual styles which are acceptable or bona fide components of good graphic design? Is the system this combination of the syntagmatic and paradigmatic units of graphic design?

Since the brief says systems and not just the singular ‘system ‘, it is safe to assume that it’s all of that and more.

More, because of the external systems that graphic design exists in. It’s told to us that design never exists in vacuum, which means that it must exist in a system. What are these external systems? And what does it mean to call them external, when the existence of design is vital to the existence of the system, and vice versa? These systems can largely be seen as the modes of production of our designs, and the modes of distribution or dissemination of our message. And the modes of consumption by the users. One aspect of this is the production system, which defines a large part of who gets access to what content, because apart from the what the content means and who is able to understand it, the way it is printed- the tools, techniques, costs, and the reach, are all decided in part by the means with which it is produced. And print being a keyword for this project, a lot of variables can change depending on what the deliverables are and how they will be printed.

For the design to be of use, or for it to solve the problem, it is important that it reaches an external system, and in some ways, becomes a part of it, or even subverts it. Design can either strengthen a system which is good, or take the system down by subverting it.

In more ways than one, The System in the more authoritative, established sense of the word, would affect both design in general, and this particular design project. Because apart from the ‘external’ systems design operates in, the larger social fabric dictates consumption patterns of the ‘users’ which design seeks to address. Design can become an agent of democratic ideals, social good, ethics, activism, and outrage; but it can also be a medium of oppression, degradation, and destruction.