We Are One poster - official selection by The One Club
(organiser of Art Directors Club New York & Type Directors Club New York
We had a quick discussion with a handful of the artists whose creations of love, strength, and unity have been selected to appear on OUTFRONT billboards: Wei Su; graphic designer and illustrator; Diego Fernández Brun; graphic designer; Tomato Košir, visual designer; and Vidushi Goel, designer.
What does We Are One project mean to you?
Tomato Košir: It's time to engage ourselves in multiple social causes. Our profession allows us to be of service not only to our clients and their products, but also to broader agendas. People read less, and shorter texts. Constant daily disruptions and the cacophony of unrefined opinions further degrade even those beneficial messages that are actually received. Visual communication has tools allowing us quicker access to the brain then text or audio. If the message is designed properly, it can be properly decoded, become memorable, and affect us and our actions.
"If the message is designed properly, it can be properly decoded, become memorable, and affect us and our actions."
The “We are One” campaign expands our individual reach. It is a rare case of a professional event that isn't just for patting each others’ backs to make ourselves feel good. We have felt good and complacent for too long, and have allowed ourselves to go partially blind. Now we have to serve to the best of our abilities. Every little contribution stacks up and makes our society just a bit better
What does this puzzle piece mean to you?
Most of all I hope what the puzzle piece conveys to me, also conveys to the general public. Design isn't like art, which can be interpreted in ways perhaps unintended by the author. It has to be focused on conveying our message clearly. We complement each other. We are one. That is the message that got lost, and that is the missing piece to peace.
"We complement each other. We are one. That is the message that got lost, and that is the missing piece to peace."
What message does your art send?
Whenever design is in fact art is an ongoing topic in our profession. That being said, I believe that the term ‘art’ in graphic design can only be used in terms of choosing the design so masterfully that the message hits that elusive target somewhere in the amygdala. That is what I consider art in design.
As a designer what are some of your go-tos to get in the creative mindset?
To be useful is what inspires me. I know there is a design solution to most communication problems. It doesn't matter who are you working for, be it The Guardian, The Ministry of Culture, Weissenseer's Wooden Houses, etc. if the brief is clear, I can answer it. Our profession can answer it.
What is the next design project that you are working on?
Currently I am working on a couple of corporate visual identities and visual comments for newspapers and magazines, and organizing the 18th TypeClinic type design workshop.
photo: Nea Likar