The Propagandizer is back

I've been ignoring my obligation to provide society with more propaganda, political and otherwise. But at the urging of a good friend and mentor, I finally got off my lazy butt and designed up some new spin for all to download and paste up in their neighborhood alleyways, coffee shops and store fronts. To see the latest blitz of social manipulation from Studiostein, go to www.propagandizer.blogspot.com.

Revolution

Here is my Word It submission for March. This month's word is Revolution: a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system. I had actually been developing this icon as a new logo for the Propagandizer, but decided instead that it was better suited for this purpose. Enjoy.

The Story of Stuff

After a two month blogging hiatus in the wake of a busy holiday season I'm finally back with Stuff to share. A friend of mine emailed me this video with the statement "Watch this movie when you have 20 minutes and an open mind." In all honesty, I have an open mind—very much so in fact—but I'm still weary of any call-to-action that requires it: Greenpeace representatives for example, standing outside of my local coffee shop hoping to accost unsuspecting passers-by. I avoid them at all costs. Nevertheless, I clicked on the link in my friend's email.

The video called The Story of Stuff is a "fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns." With well executed and witty animation by Louis Fox, and Ruben DeLuna, this film is entertaining, educational & powerful. Watch the full video by clicking here, or view the first chapter below.

The Propagandizer

I just want to take a moment to announce a new project that my girlfriend Julie and I are starting called the Propagandizer. Click here to check it out. Spurred by the fulfillment of designing the 9/11 General Strike Poster, we are launching this project as a small contribution to a world desperately in need of change. I for one have never been the type of activist to march in rallies, stage sit-ins or throw eggs at the presidential motorcade, so we believe this undertaking will drown out any other attempts we could make to have our voices heard.

On a continual basis we will post original propaganda that you can download, print & post in your neighborhood if you are so inclined. If you disagree with the point of view expressed by the Propagandizer, let us know (as I'm sure you will). If you wish to contribute your own propaganda, please do so. Prepare your artwork as a PDF file and email it to this address. Please keep the file size below 5MB.

Day of nothing

I don't delude myself that visitors to this blog want to read about my political leanings. This little corner of the internet is about design, not politics. I am neither learned in the political sciences nor thoroughly up to date on world affairs. My political convictions are based largely on what I hear on NPR a couple times a week, what I see in the headlines of CNN.com, and what I feel in my gut when I take all this, and much more into consideration. That being said, I promise to keep all political ramblings to a minimum.

At the urging of my gut, and aided by a strong desire to do more "extracurricular" design, I created this poster to promote the 9/11 General Strike. Whether or not they include it on the official website for download by the public is yet to be determined, but you can download the full size PDF here, print it and post it in your neighborhood if you are so inclined.


Regardless, it felt good to break from client projects and create something that reflects my personal convictions. While I don't think that design alone can change the world, I do believe that it is a critical tool in bringing about political, social and environmental progress.