The Reflection of the Concept of Posthumanism in Graphic Design

Abstract

Since the modernist period, the subject in the field of design has largely been positioned as a consumer, and the human-centered design approach has reinforced a consumption-oriented humanist paradigm. However, developments in communication technologies, scientific advancements, and socio-cultural transformations have brought new inquiries regarding the relationship between humans and nature. In this context, the concept of posthumanism has gained prominence. Examining the reflections of this concept in the field of design is important for understanding the changing intellectual and ethical framework of graphic design. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to examine how posthumanist thought is represented within the field of graphic design. The study first conducts a literature review, followed by a qualitative analysis in which three manifestos selected through purposive sampling are examined using reflexive thematic analysis, while graphic design projects are analyzed through visual analysis. The thematic analysis reveals that the anthropocentric paradigm in graphic design discourse is questioned and that design is shifting toward a more inclusive approach encompassing ecological, ethical, and social responsibilities. The visual analysis supports these theoretical findings by demonstrating how the messages conveyed by the designs at the semantic level are reinforced through visual elements such as color, form, and composition. As a result, the study shows that approaches that move beyond the anthropocentric paradigm in graphic design are becoming increasingly visible both in design discourse and in visual production practices. The findings further indicate that a designerly sensibility that conceptualizes the universe as a fluid and interdependent system has been present in graphic design discourse since earlier periods. In this regard, the research contributes to the design literature by presenting a conceptual framework that brings together the historical and contemporary reflections of posthumanist thought within the field of graphic design.