OUGD601: Research/Groups

I have decided to do some research on groups actively raising awareness of female graphic designers which will help to contextualise my second chapter (the graphic design workplace).


Hall of Femmes

Hall of Femmes aims to highlight the work of women in art direction and design. The project was founded in 2009 by Samira Bouabana and Angela Tillman Sperandio. It includes lectures, exhibitions, interviews, podcasts and the publication of the Hall of Femmes book series, each book portraying a designer and her work through in-depth interviews and previously unpublished images.The project started as a personal desire to find female role models in graphic design, a field where women’s contribution to developing the profession had not been documented or had enough recognition.

Kerning The Gap

Kerning The Gap is a collective of like-minded people who want to see more women in design leadership roles, hear their voices and be inspired to create change. The blog sheds new light on the topic with really insightful opinions to help with my dissertation as well as my practical.

"A prominent part of the speech was dedicated to the notion that women only networks are not going to solve the problem. Men need to be part of the conversation and, need to be instigating these conversations themselves, alongside women. Without support across the board, the dream of equality will fail. It’s also about understanding our differences and using them to our advantage" - Naomi Aylott Harvey

Graphic BirdWatching

Graphic BirdWatching is an artist-led project that deals with gender representation in design industry. the premise of BirdWatching suggests that the imbalance of female designers might not stem from a lack of opportunity, but visibility.

My thoughts: There is a risk that organisations such as these serve to reinforce ‘differences’. Men need to be part of the conversation and women networks are not going to solve the problem. 

Graphic BirdWa

tching was an artist-led project between 2009-2014 that dealt with gender representation in the design industry and championed the international debate on this topic.

Graphic BirdWatching was an artist-led project between 2009-2014 that dealt with gender representation in the design industry and championed the international debate on this topic.