DESIGN 131_Lotto_Final Creative Project

THIS IS GRAPHIC DESIGN

BY LINDSEY LOTTO

AI-generated image from Adobe Firefly.

Graphic Design is EVERYWHERE.

Every print, poster, ad, and sign is an example of Graphic Design. Graphic Design is everywhere you look and will always be a part of your daily life. Think about any sign that you read on your way to work or the packaging of your favorite snack. This zine is also a good example of Graphic Design.

Because Graphic Design is everywhere, it becomes very influential. Graphic Design affects the way that we participate in and think about everything such as Consumerism, and Sustainability.

Effects on Consumerism Because of Graphic Design.

Take a walk. What do you see when you’re walking?

Because Graphic Design is in everything we see, it also affects everything we buy. Consumerism and Graphic Design have a very long and complicated history because they’re so intertwined. Graphic Design pushes Consumerism and Consumerism pushes Graphic Design.

Everything you buy has Graphic Design included in the packaging or promotion of it, and whether you know it or not, Graphic Design has affected your decision to, or to not, purchase that product.

Although Graphic Design and Consumerism are very much connected, you can have one without the other.

Not all Graphic Design is consumerism and not all consumerism is related to Graphic Design. Because graphic design and consumerism are so interconnected, it makes it hard for us to decipher what came first. This becomes like the famous "chicken in the egg, what came first” discussion.

Because nothing is perfect, and neither is graph design, there are flaws in the ways that graphic design is used.

Graphic Design can be used environment, manipulative ways related to Consumerism. It can be used to make people feel forced or like they have to buy something. Another way that Graphic Design could be manipulative is by creating problems and then making people think they have them, like the entire makeup world.

Graphic Design and Green Washing.

Another flaw in Graphic Design is the idea of Green Washing. This term is used to describe products that try to look sustainable, but may not actually be as sustainable as they say. Some ways that companies do this is by using green in their designs, images like plant plants or using vague terms like "Eco-friendly,” ‘natural,” or “green” without any certifications or proof.

Bibliography: Pater, Ruben. CAPS LOCK-How Capitalism Took Hold of Graphic Design, and How to Escape from It. E-book ed. Download. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

"What Does Greenwashing Mean - Certifications Matter." Fair Trade Certified, 7 July 2025, https://www.fairtradecertified.org/knowledge-base/f air-trade-ethics/what-is-greenwashing/?utm_term= &utm_campaign=Lead+Generation+-PMax&utm_so urce=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_id=2258100 4931&hsa_acc=8827526971&hsa_cam=22581004931 &hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw =&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_so urce=1&gad_campaignid=22581007322&gbraid=0AA AAADpOS17iHKik2R01onl6KjHFVjbkH&gclid=EAIaIQ obChMIhOG-yd-FlgMV0i7UAR0lpTZTEAAYAyAAEgJzI PD_BwE Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Free photos accessed from https://unsplash.com/ and personal photos.

AI-generated image on cover from Adobe Firefly.