Design for Democracy

When she comes to RISD, designer and educator Marcia Lausen will remind everyone of the real and lasting effects of the “butterfly ballot” gaffe that caused such a flap during the 2000 presidential election. She’ll also talk about the Chicago-based group of design professionals and students she has since led in working to bring good design guidelines to the US Election Assistance Commission.

Most of all, Lausen will talk about using the power of design to promote government transparency, educate the public and reinforce voter confidence – all the things we need more than ever this election season to ensure that participatory democracy really works in this country.

Thanks go to the student-run group RISD Votes for bringing her to campus. And you can learn more about what she has to say in this week’s Providence Phoenix interview.