FOR THE PEOPLE PROJECT

In the wake of the divisive 2016 U.S. presidential election, Americans faced a fractured nation. Online discourse and media debated, weaponized and, in many ways, disregarded the concept of democracy. We asked ourselves: What role can design play in re-engaging people with the foundational ideas of our democracy? We believe that the U.S. Constitution doesn’t belong solely in textbooks and courtrooms, so we brought it into public space, where it could inspire reflection and civic imagination.

Our studio redesigned the Constitution, making its form and typography more engaging and digestible to contemporary readers than standard editions. Margins became space for comment. Color and scale amplified, obscured or questioned various sections. What began as a speculative redesign became a multi-year initiative blending public art, education, design and political dialogue. We organized a poster exhibition at 41 Cooper Gallery at The Cooper Union featuring the works of twelve prominent designers and artists, ​including Milton Glaser, Jessica Hische, Edel Rodriguez and Jonathan Key, each of whom used an amendment from the Bill of Rights as the basis for a new poster design. We also created a docuseries, featuring notable creatives such as New York Nico, to further explore what the Constitution means and whom it’s meant to serve.

We printed and distributed more than 3,000 copies of the redesigned Constitution in partnership with 20+ schools, advocacy groups and creative institutions nationwide, which used them as tools for programming and discussion. The project received media attention from outlets including Fast Company, Dezeen and Architectural Digest, and it was included in museum exhibitions in New York and abroad that explored civic identity and public voice.