UN/SEEN—Women: an archival publication rewriting the narrative of early graphic design

Slanted Publishers has launched UN/SEEN—Women, an archival publication that reexamines and rewrites the narrative of early graphic design by foregrounding women designers’ contributions, challenging traditional male-centric histories.

The book, edited by Petra Eisele and Isabel Naegele, spans 422 pages and is published in both English and German. It features extensive archival material and scholarly essays that situate women as active contributors to visual culture from the early 20th century through the Bauhaus era and beyond. The publication aims to address longstanding gaps in design history, which often marginalize or overlook women’s roles.

According to Slanted Publishers, the project seeks to recover and highlight the work of women designers who have been historically underrepresented or omitted from mainstream narratives. The volume includes contributions from multiple authors and features full-color offset printing, a hardcover with lenticular foil, and thread stitching, emphasizing its archival and collectible nature.

Implications for Rewriting Design History

This publication matters because it challenges the dominant narratives that have historically marginalized women in the field of graphic design. By providing a comprehensive archival record, it aims to reshape how design history is understood and taught, promoting a more inclusive and accurate account of the field’s development. The project could influence future scholarship and inspire greater recognition for women designers’ contributions across different eras.

Historical Gaps in Women’s Graphic Design Contributions

Traditional histories of graphic design have largely centered on male figures, often neglecting or marginalizing women’s roles, especially in the early 20th century. Recent scholarship and archival efforts have begun to uncover and elevate women’s work, but comprehensive resources remain scarce. The release of UN/SEEN—Women builds on this momentum by consolidating archival material and scholarly analysis to offer a more balanced narrative. It follows broader movements within design and art history that seek to decolonize and diversify the canon.

“This publication represents a significant step toward recovering the lost voices of women in early graphic design.”

— an anonymous researcher

Remaining Questions About Content and Impact

It is not yet clear how widely the publication will influence academic or educational curricula, or how it will be received by the broader design community. While the volume is comprehensive, the long-term impact on rewriting the canon remains to be seen. Additionally, the extent to which the publication will uncover new, previously unknown figures or works is still developing, as the archival research process continues.

Future Directions for Inclusive Design Histories

Following the publication’s release, scholars and educators may incorporate its findings into curricula and research. There may also be increased efforts to digitize and disseminate the archival materials included in UN/SEEN—Women. Further projects are expected to explore other marginalized groups within design history, building on the momentum generated by this publication.

Key Questions

What is the main goal of UN/SEEN—Women?

The main goal is to recover and highlight the contributions of women in early graphic design, challenging traditional male-centric narratives and rewriting the history of visual culture.

Who are the editors of this publication?

Petra Eisele and Isabel Naegele are the editors of UN/SEEN—Women.

What time period does the publication cover?

It covers the early 20th century through the Bauhaus era and beyond, focusing on the contributions of women designers during these periods.

How is the publication formatted?

It is a hardcover book with full-color offset printing, featuring 422 pages, in both English and German, with archival-quality materials.

Will this publication influence design education?

It has the potential to influence curricula and scholarly research by providing a more inclusive and accurate account of design history, but its long-term impact remains to be seen.

Source: designboom