Practical - Article Content - Protest Press

As part of my research I decided to contact the design collective 'Protest Press' to see if they would be interested in being interviewed in an article for Headstrong. This was to encourage community and to create wider connections for the magazine's reputation. Their movement felt especially relevant as their collective using a lot of handmade, physical techniques to create protest work. Their collective is also made of 5 women so it felt useful that they would be able to give the feminist perspective of women in design. Additionally, I attended a workshop by two of the women: Aoife and Grace, which meant I was able to collect imagery for the magazine.

1. What inspired you to start Protest Press?

We started Protest Press at the beginning of our final year, as five graphic design students united by using design to activate change. It was very simple at the beginning and grew from using the accessible resources and facilities of our university. 

It also came from a place of perseverance and belief that design could positively help to create social, environmental or political shifts. For example, when the Brexit vote result was announced in 2016, we all couldn’t help but feel disappointed that we didn’t do more to support the cause we so believed in. Design holds so much power in forming a better understanding - from reaching a wider audience, to simply covering a message with clarity.

2. Why do you think it's important to get young people making protest art?

From our workshops we’ve seen the educated and opinionated views of amazing young people. It’s uplifting to see this, especially in the face of what we think is a slightly looked down upon view of young people not having important opinions or understandings, for example voting being restricted for under 18s. 

Younger generations hold wondrous skills in creativity and imagination, and its great to see the two pair together through the design methods of Protest Press. 

We think overall it’s significantly important that people realise the value of their voice and use it as active empowerment.

3. In your presentation you discussed the Suffragettes as one of your inspirations, could you explain a bit more about this?

As five women, we see the Suffragette movement as having paved the freedom that we live and society we live in now. It’s particularly inspiring to see that various forms of communication were used to articulate and circulate messages of hope and equality. 

4. And finally, what future plans do you have for Protest Press?

Protest Press is a side passion for all of us and something we see shaping a brighter tomorrow. On the horizon for 2019, we see further large workshops but also connecting with smaller community bases. We see a push of possibilities through design methods and a space for greater diverse collaborations.

Unfortunately these answers arrived after the publication had been printed, however this was an interesting in experiment in networking in the wider community and creating a reputation for the magazine. If Headstrong ever made a second issue this could certainly be included.