Suffragettes to She-Devils by Liz McQuiston - Suffragette Design - Research-led Brief

Suffragettes to She-Devils: Woman's Liberation and Beyond by Liz McQuiston

This book goes through feminism and the different eras of feminist design. I will be focusing on first wave feminism (1850-1914) and the types of design that came to prominence during this era. Potentially considering how these types of designs could be re-framed in a modern context.

The book begins by showing this image:

'The Bugler Girl' poster designed by Carolyn Watts, published by the Artist's Suffrage League, Britain 1908.Originally intended to announce the NUWSS procession of 13 June 1908. Caroline was an art student – she studied at the Slade.

I conducted further research into the style of illustration and it's prominence: https://womanandhersphere.com/2014/12/03/suffrage-storieswomen-artists-caroline-watts-and-the-bugler-girl/ 

'The NUWSS was at pains to make clear that the militant imagery of the ‘Bugler Girl’ didn’t represent a violent organization. As a member of the NUWSS governing-council explained, ‘Our Bugler Girl carries her bugle and her banner; her sword is sheathed by her side; it is there, but not drawn, and if it were drawn, it would not be the sword of the flesh, but of the spirit. For ours is not a warfare against men, but against evil..’ - this is the suffrage movement, not the suffragettes and could be something I explore in equal measure.

'The image, created... to advertise the June 1908 NUWSS procession was subsequently used – often in black and white rather than colour – on posters and flyers advertising NUWSS meetings and from November 1913 was used on the front page of the NUWSS paper, ‘The Common Cause’.  However such was the strength of the image that it also had a lease of life in the US.' - The Common Cause could be something I research as a style of design Below the design is shown

 

Creative Influences and Communications Media

'Women themselves have used graphics as a means of empowerment, and on that notion of women 'finding a voice' through graphic or visual means. It is to do with how they have used that graphic voice to articulate their concerns and beliefs, to create propaganda, to conduct tough social critique, or to wage war against their misrepresentation by the media'. - This is an interesting quote, it shows how design has been used as a tool by women - it would be interesting to consider how far this could be pushed - how the tool of design can help the modern feminist cause. Potentially through digital fourth wave means. pp.9

'The Women's Social and Political Union, founded in 1903 and led by the dynamic Pankhursts, particularly stands out for it's visual contribution, including an imaginative, co-ordinated approach to visual identity and corporate image building. This was expressed through their use of colours; a uniform paraphernalia, such as certificates and badges, designed as part of an elaborate support system for imprisoned members; and the promotion of their political message through traditional formats such as posters, postcards and magazines, as well as through an innovative approach to merchandising.' pp18

This era of design in the new century was very interesting and 'new'. 'Art Nouveau, with its organic shapes andfluid lines, was the overiding style in both the fine and applied arts, and was influential on an international scale: Will Bradley in the USA, Aubery Beardsley in England and Alphinse Mucha working in Paris were a few of the leading practitioners.' - Could I look further into Art Nouveau styles and apply this to modern feminist ideas? pp21

William Morris and Arts & Crafts was also prominent, Beggarstaff brothers - flat areas of colour and simple use of colour. All influenced Sylvia Pankhurst - creator of many suffrage designs. -Look at more of her designs.

Girl on Sofa (1895) - Beggarstaff brothers

Colour printing using lithography was now sophisticated and cheap enough to use for production. - Could this be a method of production I research further as something to potentially replicate.

Illustrated magazines and newspapers also became prominent. They became forums for political debate and the suffrage societies also used the press as a publicity vehicle to exploit. p22

Interesting - trade banners were used by men, heavy, large painted male heros, whilst suffrage banners were light, smaller, appliqued or embroidered, and emblematic. They were designed more like flags than paintings, and carried symbols representing ideas or groups of people. They were being held by woman - unheard of. Could this be something I replicate?

suffrage banner of hammersmith

Modes of Communication

The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) used posters, banners and many postcards. They also had a newspaper called 'Votes for Women' and eventually 'The Suffragette' - these could potentially be rebranded into modern publications with the same ideas just retold and typeset. pp2. Votes for Women included content from politics to fashion. This was to emphasis the idea that women would not be considered ugly for wanting the vote. (image of hat section pp.38)  The members were encouraged to leave copies on public transport. 

It has an image of cards from 'Panko' or 'Votes for Women' - a card game pitting suffragists and anti-suffragists against each other. With illustrations by E T Reed c.1909. I decided to research these further as they could be something interesting to think about as a mode of design related to the movement. 

https://lewissuffragecollection.omeka.net/items/show/1006

The 48 playing cards contain a purple and white design on one side and on the reverse, feature cartoons by E.T. Reed of Punch magazine. The game was advertised and distributed by the Women's Social and Political Union as well as private merchants. Playing cards were a very popular fundraising and outreach tool during the suffrage campaign. 

To announce events the WSPU sometimes chalked the streets (using coloured on tailor's chalk). Illustrated posters were more expensive but were used effectively around election time. pp25 - could I think about how chalk can be used as a communication method.

Postcards were used extensively - with record of demonstrations, speeches, trials and arrests, meetings, events (bazaars, processions, the marching band), the offices and staff, arson attacks and imprisonment. pp26 They were seen as collectables and allowed the core members to feel part of a greater system and to build up their own record of the movement.

The tricolour scheme of purple, white and green was devised (purple for dignity, white for purity and green for hope). - this could be something I replicate in my own designs, thinking about the meaning of these colours and what they represent. - businesses took these colours and made them into merchandis - selling underwear, coats, hats and jewellery, handbags, soaps and teas.

Hilda M Dallas

'There were Holloway 9prison) badges and brooches, and medals of honour for hunger strikes. These sometimes had an extended ribbon with additional metal bars or 'stripes', inscribed with dates of imprisonment or force-feeding on the back. Many of the badges and medals were personalised: initials or names were inscribed on the back, or printed on protective cases.' pp42 - These medals could be an interesting piece of visual imagery which I could explore further in the project.