Is graphic design out of our hands? Democratization of the tools of our trade has opened up the flood gates and everyone wants in. Seizing opportunity, designers are becoming leaders and facilitators of user-generated content. How can we harness various audiences to create open-ended, participatory works of design? To help start the conversation, we invite you to join us in co-creating a unique “DC” alphabet. As you work assembly-line style, filling up letter outlines with content in five minute intervals, we will share with you the latest examples from the field and essential tips for starting your own participatory project.

To prepare, think of something you love or hate about our Capital City. Each of you will start a letter and pass it on to be completed by your peers. You will be asked to assign a “rule” to your letter—a formal, thematic or conceptual guideline for other participants as they contribute to your letter. The rule should also express something about DC. At the end of the evening, we’ll ask you to upload a snapshot of your finished letter to the workshop Flickr page, for others to see and share.

Workshop Leaders
Helen Armstrong teaches graphic design at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She has conducted participatory design workshops at the University of Tennessee and in Pilsen, the Czech Republic. Zvezdana Stojmirovic teaches graphic design at MICA. Type/Life, her collaborative participatory project has recently been shown at Grad in Belgrade, Serbia, and at Oregon State University. Helen’s and Zvezdana’s book, Participate: Designing with User-Generated Content , came out in 2011. You can find out more about the book at participatorydesign.net.

The best way to get there is via the Orange Line Metro; it's about a block and a half south from the Eastern Market stop. Two-hour street parking available on the residential streets nearby, just check the signs. Longer metered parking is available on 8th St, a block and a half East. F Street Terrace is an alley connecting E and G St. Follow the alley and look for the large lavender warehouse about half way down. Please use the entrance with parallel parking in front.

Advance: members and student members: $10, non-members: $20

At the door: members and student members: $15, non-members: $25

Google Map

Special thanks to Polygraph for providing the space for this event.

DC Design Week Presenting Sponsor:
Goetz Printing

DC Design Week Partners:
Benevolent Media
ADCMW, Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington
AIA DC, American Institute of Architects, DC Chapter

DC Design Week creative by The General Design Company

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