Networking for Headstrong Magazine

6A2/6C2/6D2

My main project of 2018 was to create a feminist publication called 'Headstrong'. This was designed to share feminist thought from a wide selection of intersectional women. As part of this I contacted feminists from around the country that I thought might be willing to contribute articles and ideas for the magazine. This was a good opportunity and meant that the finished magazine was shared further within their circles.

This also involved contacting some professionals that I thought would have some interesting feminist insight into the magazine. Since I had attended a Protest Press workshop I thought it would interesting to do a segment featuring their practice and the type of social justice work they create and inspire. During the workshop I spoke to them about this and received their business card, through this I then emailed them some questions regarding their practice and their thoughts on feminism.

Their response to the questions:

1. What inspired you to start Protest Press? 

We started Protest Press at the beginning of our final year, as five graphic design students united by using design to activate change. It was very simple at the beginning and grew from using the accessible resources and facilities of our university. 

It also came from a place of perseverance and belief that design could positively help to create social, environmental or political shifts. For example, when the Brexit vote result was announced in 2016, we all couldn’t help but feel disappointed that we didn’t do more to support the cause we so believed in. Design holds so much power in forming a better understanding - from reaching a wider audience, to simply covering a message with clarity. 

2. Why do you think it's important to get young people making protest art?

From our workshops we’ve seen the educated and opinionated views of amazing young people. It’s uplifting to see this, especially in the face of what we think is a slightly looked down upon view of young people not having important opinions or understandings, for example voting being restricted for under 18s.

Younger generations hold wondrous skills in creativity and imagination, and its great to see the two pair together through the design methods of Protest Press.  

We think overall it’s significantly important that people realise the value of their voice and use it as active empowerment. 

3. In your presentation you discussed the Suffragettes as one of your inspirations, could you explain a bit more about this?

As five women, we see the Suffragette movement as having paved the freedom that we live and society we live in now. It’s particularly inspiring to see that various forms of communication were used to articulate and circulate messages of hope and equality. 

4. And finally, what future plans do you have for Protest Press? 

Protest Press is a side passion for all of us and something we see shaping a brighter tomorrow. On the horizon for 2019, we see further large workshops but also connecting with smaller community bases. We see a push of possibilities through design methods and a space for greater diverse collaborations. 

Unfortunately I put the magazine into print by the time I had received this response. However, the answers have given me some interesting insight into their practice and have allowed me to have some contact and experience in chatting to a collective within the design industry. Especially as they are a collective run entirely by women, I find this very inspiring and refreshing. Their work is definitely something I want to study further. I could even potentially create a second issue of Headstrong, or perhaps a second addition with more content and send it to them.