Graphic Design *Jail* is a concept modified from the phrase “type jail” coined by a RISD typography professor. It represents the place that a designer will be sent to when they * violate * the rules of graphic design. After learning how to make * good design * for years, I found myself really aware of the * right * logic/details of design pieces, made both by others and myself. These principles were so deeply ingrained that the default suggestions I’d provide to my artist friends always aligned with what was right.

Sometimes, I’d joke with my friend by saying her work is * illegal * and that I am going to send her to the “Graphic Design Jail” because she used stretched Futura in her piece. I thought I was helping her until one day, she told me that she is now too afraid of doing designs because she will always be * wrong *. That was the moment that I began reflecting on my persistence in following the graphic design rules. Questions started to emerge: what’s the standard of right or wrong? Do we always need to make everything correct?

Then, I realized how * exclusive * graphic design rules are. That is why in this degree project, I want to dive into graphic design rules while trying to include and disclose to non-designers what the rules are. In the end, letting you decide what you want in the end. In this website you’ll find that the fundamental building blocks of design are quite simple.

Design is a creative process with boundless possibilities because of its visual nature. Therefore, don’t get stuck by those rules. “Illegal” design is vivid and inspiring in it’s own way.