GoKawiilCreated for a revue of women-written plays, the handmade logo is designed to reflect how women are “squeezed out of democracy.” Women+ on the Edge of Democracy is an upcoming revue of 10-minute plays and monologues about this moment in democracy, as written by 36 women playwrights. The logo for initiative, designed by Pentagram partner Paula Scher, with associate partner Bruno Bergallo and project manager Olivia Ray, purposely squeezes its title into a tight frame to visualize a point.
‘I wanted it to be raw’: Paula Scher explains her squished map logo
Why This Matters
This story highlights how a well-known designer uses typography and layout as a form of political commentary, showing that graphic design can carry substantive meaning beyond aesthetics. It's a reminder to the creative industry that design choices—like a deliberately 'squished' logo—can amplify social and political messages tied to real-world issues like gender and democracy.
Key Takeaways
- Paula Scher designed a raw, hand-made logo for 'Women+ on the Edge of Democracy,' a revue of 10-minute plays by 36 women playwrights.
- The logo intentionally squeezes the title into a tight frame to symbolize how women are 'squeezed out of democracy.'
- The project involved Pentagram's Bruno Bergallo and project manager Olivia Ray, showing design collaboration in service of a political and social statement.
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