The rise of activist design asks questions that everyone should be thinking about in these frenetic, divisive times. Colors, shapes, chosen elements, and especially slogans and icons create spectacle. The wow factor deals with surface impressions. Today, these things don’t have the same impact and even face negative reactions as consumers grow more savvy and caring about the world at large. That’s where activism aesthetics come into play. It’s a turn from spectacle to soul and substance. A shirt, countertop, park bench, or building takes on meaning far beyond monetary value or status. They become rooted in emotion, consciousness, and values. Activism itself used to rely on the bold, slogan-driven design choices that attempted to force caring onto people. There’s still a place for bright and bold declarations. However, it’s often more effective to simply invite a second look or encourage a moment of quiet reflection. The impact that subtle activist design makes lies with the first word in the phrase: subtle. It’s not about overt demonstrations. As consumers shift toward more intentional decisions, these methods begin to backfire.
Today, there’s a growing sense that this isn’t the only or best way to be heard. Subtle design choices draw values out from within instead. Designers who integrate meaning into their creations enter into a type of communication with folks who are willing and ready to not only hear a message but let it reverberate through them. How does this work? How does activist design affect people in subtle and meaningful ways more effectively than the in-your-face efforts of the past? Different facets of activism appear depending on the item or element of the world, of course. An organic cotton blouse hand-crafted by a local co-op carries a very different intention than an eco-conscious office building with solar panels on the roof and green, living walls instead of stark glass and steel.
Material becomes a message that goes beyond buzzwords like organic or green. When a designer chooses reclaimed or repurposed materials, they create an aesthetic that reflects care for the planet and the natural rhythms of life. Knots and scars on a cabinet door counter the throw-away materialism hammered into our brains through marketing things that are new, better, and trendy. The tactile nuances in recycled textiles remind us that everything is part of a cycle. Form and shape hint at philosophies grounded in openness, acceptance, and accessibility. Consider hostile architecture found too often in cities around the world. Benches with dividers, ledges with spikes, and amenities that people with differing needs or abilities cannot access go against these ideals. A public seating area created so that everyone can rest comfortably fosters a sense of community for all. When its design goes beyond utilitarian and becomes welcoming, it strikes a chord of natural activism. It echoes with the thought that yes, everyone should be included and respected. Another example of this is in the increasing popularity of non-gender-specific clothing and accessory design. Fashion has long focused on separation and categorization of everything from gender to social status to age. With more natural fabrics and neutral cuts, anyone can embrace their own style in a way that brings people together rather than creating fabricated borders.
These become quiet and subtle protests against rigid social mores and ingrained biases. These and other design choices create presence and particular feelings that align with purpose. Aesthetics support ethics. Most are associated with three main types of activism: environmental issues, social justice, and economic equity. Environmental issues gain understanding and support through a variety of design choices. These largely have to do with material choice and sustainability. Recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, and crops like bamboo or hemp that take much less water, fertilizer, or processing to use top the list. New York based Evocative creates fast-growing, vegan, mycelium-based textiles, packaging, and construction materials that offer stylish textures and structures for a variety of uses. Danish brand Mater offers sleek and minimalist chairs and footrests made entirely from recycled marine waste. Popular recreation wear company Patagonia offers a Worn Wear program with patches and visible repairs, emphasizing the durability and importance of long-term sustainability.
Social justice focused design uses form or other elements as a protest against exclusion or separation. Anti-hostile architecture, inclusive furniture and building options, and non-gender-specific aesthetics all support this ideal. Inclusive design in architecture is shown by architect Magda Mostafa, who provides frameworks for public buildings to make them comfortable and welcoming for autistic and other neurodivergent folk. Non-gendered clothing companies like TomboyX and Big Bud Press offer quality and a wide range of sizes using organic and recycled materials. The style reflects the intention. Economic equity, such as prioritizing fair labor practices, sustainability, and human rights in all communities, does not show up on the surface of products directly. Instead, it exists in the foundation of the design process and how they are created and brought to the public. Smaller scale production and distance from exploitation allow consumers to be a part of a solution that values people over style.
Nisolo shoes incorporate multiple benefits in sustainability, environmental protection through zero-net-carbon production, and living wage certification. Their designs reflect the hand-crafted and minimalist aesthetic. PeopleTree, the first international Fair Trade Association brand, offers the same for natural fabric clothing. Smaller scale brands like the Baba Tree basket company and Koraa offer international designs directly from the people who should benefit the most. Every product we buy and space we move through shapes how we think and feel. The rise of subtle activist design moves us away from the profit-first intentions of bold statements, exclusionary elements, and brand-first aesthetics. Now, we become a part of the purpose behind how things are designed and produced. Every material choice, structure, and method used means something that resonates with our own values and interests. Better still, they reflect things the world desperately needs more of. They give us a choice about how we’ll contribute to a brighter future.
