Design criticism is the reflective lens through which we examine the creative and cultural impact of design on our lives. It challenges us to go beyond surface-level aesthetics and consider the ethical, functional, and societal implications of design.

In this project, I explore the evolving landscape of design criticism through three seminal essays: “Call for Criticism” by Massimo Vignelli, “Design Criticism as a Spectator Sport” by Michael Bierut, and “You’ll Never Guess the Amazing Ways Online Design Writing and Criticism Has Changed” by Chappell Ellison.

Each of these articles highlights a distinct aspect of design criticism. Vignelli’s Call for Criticism lays the groundwork, emphasizing the need for thoughtful critique to foster professional growth and elevate the discipline. Bierut’s essay takes a candid look at how design criticism often becomes performative, addressing the challenges of engaging audiences in meaningful discussions. Finally, Ellison’s piece captures the transformation of design writing in the digital age, questioning whether the rush for clicks has diluted the depth and rigor of critique.

Through these articles, I aim to create a space for critical discourse that reflects on design’s past, present, and future. By weaving together the timeless ideals of Vignelli, the pragmatic observations of Bierut, and the digital insights of Ellison, this project celebrates design criticism as an essential tool for accountability, innovation, and connection within the design community.

The primary typeface usen on the website is Bricolage Grotesque by Jérémy Landes. This typeface is a blend of historical sources, technical decisions and personal feelings. It started as a fork of Mayenne Sans, an open-source single weight font.

The Secondary typeface is known as Gladiator Display, designed by Devansh Khajanchi. Designed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Gladiator Display seeks to unify order and chaos. It has been constructed geometircally using a set of simple shapes which when assembled create chararacters like jigsaw puzzles – a popular activity during the pandemic.

Devansh has specifically chosen to use Gladiator Display as it criticises and breaks away from the conventional idea that fonts need to be legible. A fitting typeface for a website based on 'Design Criticism'. Instead, the boredom induced font beautiful counter-forms that are calming as compared to it's skikey exterior form.