Reflection
Censoring...
Censorship in modern days extends from just a political tool for authorities to govern information and ideologies to a gatekeeping system to protect the public with potential harm. This is where design takes place. Censorship in modern design has become a nuanced and complex challenge, as designers grapple with balancing creative expression and adhering to societal, cultural, or political sensitivities. In various parts of the world, governments, institutions, or online platforms may impose restrictions on design content, leading to self-censorship or deliberate modification of artistic expressions. Apple’s emoji change is the perfect example of censorship in modern days.
Digital platforms, social media, and e-commerce websites also contribute to the landscape of design censorship. Algorithms and community guidelines often dictate what can or cannot be showcased, impacting designers’ ability to share their work freely. This can result in a homogenization of design content, as creatives navigate restrictive policies to avoid penalties or removal of their work.
Despite these challenges, some designers strategically navigate censorship by using symbolism, metaphors, or abstract representations to convey their messages in more subtle ways. Speculating the future of the design industry, it is possible that more and more censorship will occur due to culture and political reasons. Designer will be forced to find ways to balance their creative freedom without touching the red line. I hope my censoring pencil can address the censorship students and the creative industry faces.
The Value of Lost Words
Censored words often holds more value that the end- piece of the censored literature. The original meaning of the author wish to express was altered to prevent comfortless or it simply goes against what the authority wants. It’s a tragedy that when technology advances, censorship grows into different areas as well. At the start of the project, I focused really hard on ‘how to explain the process of censorship’, and ignored the true value of looking into censorship, the words. A profound loss of values occurs in the censored words as the suppression of certain expressions curtails the freedom of thought and speech. The very act of censorship implies a disregard for open dialogue and diverse perspectives, hindering the free exchange of ideas crucial for societal growth. When words are censored, nuanced discussions on critical issues are stifled, eroding the foundational principles of free expression. The silencing of certain terms often conceals underlying truths, contributing to a diminished understanding of complex realities. In the suppression of words lies not only a loss of linguistic freedom but also a compromise of essential values essential for a vibrant and informed society.
Referring to my experience, maybe it was because I am used to avoid the mentioning of certain information, talking about censorship is fine by me, but about the censored content frightens me a bit. In the future, maybe I should be more courageous to see what I am avoiding and find ways to express the social needs in certain issues, even if it was censored. As a designer, I believe we have the responsibility to find the gap, to educate, evoke, improve the world around us, and coming up with creative ideas to avoid being censored is a special trait we all have.