Between word and deed: The Icograda Design Manifesto, Seoul 2000

Abstract

Exactly what is included under the classification manifesto is open to debate. Corporations and non-profit organisations have their mission statements, governments and foundations have their policy agendas, and political parties have their platforms - all these might be considered particular forms of manifesto. On occasion a less formal organisation creates a manifesto. What marks all these documents is a common purpose - to focus attention on a new agenda arising from a recognition of changed circumstances, to publicly announce a desired change in human behavior and institutional configuration, and to exhort interested and influential people to not only endorse the manifesto, but to bring about through their own agendas the changes the manifesto prescribes. A successful manifesto is a call to action that stimulates and coordinates agency.