First Things First:
A Manifesto
Editorial Design / Poster System
Large-format editorial poster system developed for professional and academic audiences
First Things First: A Manifesto was originally written in 1964 and later revised in 1999, 2014, and 2020. The publication advocates for designers to prioritize more useful, equitable, and socially responsible forms of communication. This editorial project reimagines the manifesto as a large-format folding poster system intended for public display and engagement. Two distinct visual approaches were developed to address different audiences while preserving the core themes of accessibility, advocacy, and reflection.
Overview
The project explored how typography, hierarchy, scale, and visual pacing could shift depending on audience and context. While both posters communicate the same foundational ideas, each system was intentionally developed to reflect the expectations, behaviors, and visual language of its intended viewers.
Approach
The professional audience version presents the complete text from all four editions of the manifesto within a structured editorial framework. A restrained palette, modular grid system, and layered typographic hierarchy were designed to support extended reading and exhibition in professional design settings.
Professional Audience
The university audience version interprets the manifesto through a more expressive and experimental typographic system. Rather than presenting the complete text, the poster emphasizes key themes through scale, movement, and condensed editorial pacing to encourage student engagement within academic settings.
University Audience
The resulting poster systems translate the manifesto into distinct editorial experiences tailored to different audiences and viewing environments. Through shifts in typography, composition, and pacing, the project demonstrates how editorial design can transform complex written content into accessible and engaging public-facing communication.