What Happens When Design Becomes Part of a Nation’s Identity?

Issue 014

Author

Robert Vidaure
May 23, 2025

For me, Lance Wyman represents everything I strive for as a designer for the people. His work has inspired me for many years, and his insights and unique perspectives on how design can improve the quality of life of an entire nation remind me that good design can truly make a difference.

In this interview, Wyman revisits some of his most iconic work, including the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, the Mexico City Metro signage, and the Washington D.C. National Zoo.

I carry Wyman’s lessons with me in every line I draw and every system I build. His commitment to clarity, cultural resonance, and human-centered thinking reminds me that our work goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about shaping experiences that connect, guide, and uplift people’s daily lives. I continually seek those moments where design becomes more than a solution. It becomes a catalyst for understanding, joy, and belonging. I strive to create work that looks good and lives well in the world.

–Robert  🤝

ARTICLES

The Death of Traditional Place Branding

Why today's research based on yesterday's data can no longer guide cities, regions, and countries through uncertainty

The First Fifty Years of Civic Design

Tracing civic design's history can help the field become more resilient. “The current civic tech project is really a fifty-year project, intended to change institutions that we hope will last hundreds more.” This is a quote from Cyd Harrell, now leading the City and County of San Francisco's Digital Services team, formerly of 18F and Code for America, and author of A Civic Technologist's Practice Guide.

“Good Studios Are Out There”

Many job ads say a degree isn’t required, but does that hold up in practice? Katie Cadwell unpacks industry hiring biases and shares ways to find studios that truly embrace a range of talent in this week’s Creative Career Conundrums.

BOOKS

Design History Reader: An Emerging Vision for a New Narrative
by Kristen Coogan

The goal of this collaborative, enthusiastic textbook on design history is to create a resource offering a diverse, inclusive view of graphic design history, specifically articulated through the student voice.

Civic Technologist's Practice Guide
by Cyd Harrell

This friendly guide is for technology people who work, or want to work, in the public sector. In it, Cyd Harrell outlines the types of projects, partnerships, and people that civic technologists encounter, and the methods they can use to make lasting change.

“It’s really just having a broader understanding that how we have designed our cities and neighborhoods for the last 50 years is not conducive to these places where people can thrive and adapt to a changing climate.”

–Michael Eliason (DB|BD Podcast)

PROJECTS

City of STEM

Kilter created a playful brand identity for LA's official science festival that inspired tens of thousands to experiment with STEM. Working closely with the Columbia Memorial Space Center, we developed an authentic approach that caught the eye of families across Los Angeles and drove exponential growth for the event.

Agency: Kilter

Visit Salt Lake “It’s Sweet” Campaign

Salt Lake has long been defined by its stunning mountain backdrop, world-class outdoor recreation, and rich cultural scene. Surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains, it offers scenic trails, breathtaking views of unique natural wonders, and the Greatest Snow on Earth®. But there’s something more—something visitors can’t quite put into words until they experience it. Now, Visit Salt Lake is calling it like it is: “It’s Sweet.”

Agency: Dept.

RESOURCES

Arabic Design Archive

ADA is a non-profit initiative that seeks to enable knowledge production about Arabic design and its history through a framework of collecting, digitizing, and exhibiting. ADA aims to provide an open and accessible platform for the public to counter the parallel, inaccessible, and non-existent physical archive of the second half of the 20th century.

Endless Tools

Create 3D assets, animations and visual effects for social media or brand identity elements without any coding skills. Endless Tools is an intuitive web-based app that includes a curated collection of customisable 3D objects across various themes.

EVENTS

LA Design Festival
June 26–29, 2025

The LA Design Festival is the only biennial, citywide event of its kind as a multi-day and disciplinary celebration that connects Los Angeles’ deep design culture and community.

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The Civic Designer is a newsletter dedicated to exploring the impact of Civic Design. It is a collection of curated stories and resources designed to inspire and educate designers and public sector communicators who are passionate about shaping the public sphere and empowering our communities.

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