DEFINING TERMS


A critical design practice insists on situating and assessing design not only in relation to briefs and objectives, but in relation to design’s broader cultural, political, and material contexts. In this publication, graduate students in the RISD Graphic Design department practice such situating through critical writing on existing design work. Each ‘review’ aims to push beyond the traditional scope of design critique to consider the ways that graphic design operates in society and in relationship to structures of power.

The article to the right was my contribution to the newspaper, along with support in the overall design of the publication.

Written and designed by students in the RISD Graphic Design course Graduate Seminar 1 under supervision of Anther Kiley.

Vol 2, Fall 2024
Size: 11.5” x 15”

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October 2024


Defiining Platforms


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1_ETYMOLOGY
Château de Coucy
A Medieval French Castle Drawing

Image Description
Coucy Castle, an architectural drawing depicting the plan and building in the first half of the 13th century.

Image Sourcing
1 / Orthos Logos France
2 / Blue Print subreddit

The image of the Château de Coucy traces the word Platform’s roots back to the mid 16th century Old French plateforme — a combination of plate (flat) and forme (shape). It had dual meanings that related to one another, “plan of action, scheme, design;” and “ground-plan, drawing, sketch.” It quickly became the meaning for a plan. Initially referring to a flat surface or plan used in construction, especially in military contexts like the defensive platforms of castles. The flat battlements and elevated structures of the Château depict the physical essence of a platform: a level area used for standing, viewing, or strategic purposes.

What I especially love about this image is the ability to depict such a three-dimensional object such as a castle, into an incredibly flat looking surface. Though they use shadows and perspective, the perfectly front-view of the castle defies an understanding of 3D form and really starts to depict plate-forme in an abstract and literal way. They include bird's eye view floor plans for the different levels of the tower as well, depicting the initial essence of the word. Though overtime, plateforme began to mean a “raised, level surface or place”, it took until the early 1800s for it to switch from the understanding of flat ground or surface, to a raised surface—such as a train platform. Later the word was able to transform to encompass more intangible and figurative meanings, however its architectural military roots may subtly shape our understanding of it. The initial role as a vantage point for defensive purposes, speaks to its tactical purposes and sense of authority. It’s not just a neutral, supportive foundation, but rather a space for strategic power and influence.




2_DIGITAL
Screenshot of a Twitter Feed

Image Description
A screenshot taken of my twitter feed, something I haven’t accessed since the pre-Elon era.

Image Sourcing
1 / x.com

An example of a modern digital platform can be seen in this screenshot of my Twitter feed. Like all its siblings, Twitter provides a space where users can share their thoughts, ideas, and content, unfiltered. What was originally a term referring to a physical and elevated structure, now describes an environment where people interact, network, and exchange information. The feed itself serves as a constantly updating platform, similar to a bulletin board, giving every user the potential to influence public discourse with something as simple as a few words, to complex highly-edited videos. Twitter acts as a stage where people and brands can connect, debate, and participate in global conversations, which starts to blur the lines between public and private. Opening a forum where the individual feels like they are in the same playing field as the celebrity or the corporation introduces this false sense of reclaiming power from a “deciding” or “professional” class. In a sense, the raised platform becomes level.

Social media however adds nuance to the traditional meaning of platform by highlighting the power dynamics inherent to the original term and these digital spaces. Once platforms began to mean raised and elevated levels, it allowed the opportunity for some to be able to physically raise themselves above others. While Twitter is an open platform where anyone can join and participate, it is also governed by algorithms, policies, and the ownership of the company itself (not forgetting the mess that it’s been internally since the buy from Elon). The voices that are heard the loudest often reflect the inequalities in visibility, access, and influence, as well as class now that paid subscriptions for verification have been introduced. Since some voices are given more weight than others, 
we end up with a hierarchy of speech and attention, making the platform far from neutral. This power dynamic shows how platforms often become competitive stages where influence, power, and visibility are negotiated. This isn’t unique to digital platforms—as we see the dichotomy between accessibility and control consistently reappear amongst these definitions, proving the platform to be an inherently contested space, where those who step up bring their voice and ideas forward, aiming to command the audience—even if just temporarily. 





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