Today I read an article on Design Observer by Michael Bierut all about the Ernst Bettler story that appeared some years ago in dotdotdot. The ‘Bettler affair’ was a key part of my PhD dissertation, which I finished in 2002. The dissertation, which I hope is reasonably accessible, addresses the politics of graphic design practice and design activism in North America. (I also interviewed a bunch of designers about First Things First 2000, which was very topical at the time.) The plan was to turn the dissertation into a book, but other (good) things happened instead. Here, then, for the very first time, I present my dissertation.

Interviews include: Michael Bierut, Milton Glaser, Jessica Helfand, Marlene McCarty, Stefan Sagmeister, Gunnar Swanson, and Teal Triggs. If you want to cut straight to my take on the meanings of the Bettler affair, it begins on page 134 of the pdf.

Update (16/6/09). The pdf download now includes the appendices images. Erp. (Thanks Deb!)

Marlene, Margo, and Matt: A Story of Three M’s.

1900-1997
Stuff happens.

1998-2000
Matt talks up Marlene’s role as an outstanding designer/artist/activist
in a thesis about design and dissent that no one reads.

2002
Matt calls Marlene (finally) and invites her to visit Hampshire College
to do two successful talks on art/activism and film title design.

2004, June
Matt attends DesignInquiry, meets Margo. Matt asks some questions, gets
a headache. Dances a bit, feels better.

2004, October
Matt sees Margo in Chicago and tells her she should call Marlene about
Maine.

2004, November
Margo meets Marlene in Manhattan and she agrees to come to Maine – even if Matt’s going, and since it’s not like any other conference or symposium
out there.

2005, March
Marlene designs a poster for Motive/Method/Medium featuring a mystery
man in a medium-size tie.

2005, June
Marlene, Margo, and Matt and many other movers head for MECA in Maine.

2006-3000
Stuff happens.

Poster by Marlene McCarty.
Event by DesignInquiry05.