“Let HER Shine” – Misogyny in Design

Before my shrinking number of male supporters click away, let me say this. I absolutely see men as integral partners in all aspects of our society.

I ask that those who felt triggered by my “Misogyny In Design” title to put their egos aside for the minute it takes to read this blog post. Can you please do so with an open mind and heart?

The statistics prove that misogyny, the dislike or hatred of women, is a pervasive issue that continues to exist in many industries. Sadly this includes the graphic design world.

Despite the fact that more and more women are entering the field of graphic design, they still face discrimination and bias in the workplace. In this blog post, we will explore the ways in which misogyny affects women in the graphic design industry and what can be done to address it.

One of the most common forms of misogyny in the graphic design world is the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions.

According to a 2020 study, only 30% of creative directors in the advertising industry are women, and this lack of representation is even more pronounced in other areas of the graphic design industry.

This underrepresentation can make it difficult for women to advance in their careers and can lead to a lack of role models for young women entering the field. It can also lead to the scarcity mentality for those women who break through the barrier.

Another way in which misogyny affects women in the graphic design world is through discrimination and bias in the workplace.

Studies have shown that women in the graphic design industry are often paid less than their male counterparts, and are given fewer opportunities to work on high-profile projects.

They also often face microaggressions and sexist comments from their male colleagues and clients. I believe these microaggressions are oftentimes unconsciously made. Nevertheless, this discrimination can make it difficult for women to succeed in the field and can lead to a lack of diversity in the industry.

Misogyny manifests in the way women’s work is perceived and evaluated. Women’s work is often dismissed (again oftentimes unconsciously) as “not serious” or “too feminine” and is not given the same level of recognition as men’s work. This leads to a lack of opportunities for women to showcase their work and get recognition for it. Which in a field where you are not hired for a job, unless you can prove you have succeeded at it before, becomes a major hurdle to jump.

So, what can be done to address misogyny in the graphic design world?

One solution is to increase the representation of women in leadership positions, which can serve as role models for young women entering the field. Employers can also take steps to ensure that their hiring and promotion practices are fair and unbiased.

Additionally, creating a culture of inclusivity and respect in the workplace can help to reduce discrimination and bias.

Finally, more research on the topic is needed to understand the issue better and to develop strategies to address it.

I urge you to look at your actual numbers, look back at your female design classmates. Have they risen to the levels you and your male classmates have?

Let’s look at design conferences, how many female speakers are there in comparison to the male speakers? Have these speakers risen to the career heights of their male counterparts?

In conclusion, misogyny is a pervasive issue in the graphic design world that affects women in many ways, from underrepresentation in leadership positions, discrimination and bias in the workplace, and a lack of recognition for their work.

However, by increasing representation, creating a culture of inclusivity and respect, and conducting more research on the issue, we can work towards a more equal and inclusive graphic design industry.