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Slanted Publishers has announced UN/SEEN—Women, an extensive publication that re-examines the role of women in early graphic design. The book aims to rewrite the dominant narratives and situate women designers as active contributors to visual culture.
Slanted Publishers has announced the upcoming publication UN/SEEN—Women, a comprehensive archival book that re-examines the history of early graphic design to foreground women designers as active contributors to visual culture. The project aims to challenge and expand the traditional, male-dominated narratives of design history, emphasizing women’s roles from the Bauhaus era onward.
The publication, edited by Petra Eisele and Isabel Naegele, features contributions from a team of authors including Brigitte Baumstark, Friederike Berger, Julia Blume, and others. It spans 422 pages and is set for release in June 2026, in both English and German. The book employs full-color offset printing on high-quality paper, with a hardcover binding featuring lenticular foil.
UN/SEEN—Women aims to reframe the history of graphic design by highlighting overlooked women designers and their work, situating them as active creators rather than passive participants. The project is part of a broader effort to acknowledge diverse contributions to visual culture, moving beyond the traditional male-centric canon.
According to the publisher, the project was received through their DIY submissions platform, emphasizing community involvement and a collective effort to reshape design history narratives. The publication’s foreword is authored by Ellen Lupton, further underscoring its significance within the design community.
Why Rewriting Graphic Design History Matters
This publication is significant because it addresses longstanding gaps in the historiography of graphic design, where women’s contributions have often been marginalized or omitted. By foregrounding women designers, UN/SEEN—Women seeks to reshape the understanding of early graphic culture, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the field. It challenges the dominant narratives that have historically centered on male figures, potentially influencing future scholarship, education, and professional recognition.
women's graphic design history book
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Historical Marginalization of Women in Design
For decades, the history of graphic design has largely been told through a male lens, with women’s work often overlooked or undervalued. While some scholars have begun to address this imbalance, comprehensive efforts remain limited. The Bauhaus era, a pivotal period in modern design, is frequently depicted as a male-dominated sphere, despite evidence of significant contributions by women students and designers.
Recent years have seen increased scholarly and institutional interest in uncovering and highlighting women’s roles in design history. UN/SEEN—Women builds on this momentum by compiling an extensive archive of women’s work and contextualizing their influence within broader visual culture.
“This project represents a crucial step toward correcting the historical record and acknowledging women’s active roles in shaping graphic design.”
— an anonymous researcher from designboom
graphic design archival publication
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Unclear Aspects of the Publication’s Scope
Details about the specific content focus—such as whether it includes only Western designers or a global perspective—are still emerging. The extent to which the publication will include previously unpublished archival material or new scholarly research remains to be clarified. Additionally, how the book will influence academic and professional discourses is yet to be seen.
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Next Steps for the Unveiling of UN/SEEN—Women
The publication is scheduled for release in June 2026. Leading up to this, the publishers are expected to promote the book through exhibitions, lectures, and academic partnerships. Readers and scholars interested in design history should anticipate further details about the content and accessibility of the archive as the release date approaches. The project may also inspire similar initiatives to broaden the scope of design historiography.
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Key Questions
What is UN/SEEN—Women about?
It is an archival publication that re-examines early graphic design history, emphasizing women designers’ contributions and challenging traditional, male-centric narratives.
When will UN/SEEN—Women be published?
The book is scheduled for release in June 2026.
Who is publishing UN/SEEN—Women?
Slanted Publishers is the publisher behind this project.
Will the publication include international designers?
Details about the geographic scope are still emerging; further information will be available closer to the release date.
How does this publication impact the history of graphic design?
It aims to correct historical omissions, promote diversity, and influence future scholarship and education by highlighting women’s contributions.
Source: designboom
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