a small talks and publication series on the discriminatory past and present of graphic design, looking forward to diverse and inclusive futures.
co-founded by Abbie Vickress and Laura Parke.
Photography by Ruby Turner
Open Call: Volume 02
The open call for volume 02 is now closed – the next open call will launch in September 2025. Get in touch if you have any questions or would like to chat about possible submissions or contributions.
imperfect index is a publication exploring what a diverse and inclusive approach to the discipline of graphic design can look like. We would like to hear from people who wish to contribute to this conversation with examples of projects and practices in graphic design. The index is a resource that will contain these intersectional ideas, that can be cross-referenced and provide multiple points for sharing and circulation.
Themes could include; ableism, age, body size, care, citizenship, class, disability, education, faith, feminism, gender identity, housing, language, LGBTQIA2S+, mental health, neurodiversity, queerness, race, social justice, wealth, etc...
Work selected will be featured alongside articles by Rose Nordin (OOMK and Rabbits Road Press), Paul Soulellis (Queer.Archive.Work), Kaiya Waerea (Sticky Fingers Publishing and Access Questions for Self-Publishing) Jodi Hunt and Ol Gabe (Y Papur / The Paper Wales).
What to submit -> You can submit past (within the last 5 years) or current work that is centred around this topic; essays, images, QR codes linking to film, podcasts, archives, exhibitions, collections, poetry, etc. The work must be ready for publishing at submission. If you have any questions/ queries please get in touch.
Who can submit -> Anyone. We particularly encourage submissions from groups that are underrepresented in the graphic design discipline.
How to submit -> Send a packaged file via WeTransfer to hello@imperfectindex.com with work formatted as follows:
• Text: word document (.doc / .docx)
• Images: jpeg / 300dpi / cmyk
• Links to audio / video / social media / website
When to submit -> By 15 January 2025
If accepted -> An audit of submissions will be conducted to ensure we are including a diverse range of submissions. Successful submissions will receive a copy of the publication and be contacted in 2025 with a request to complete a publishers permissions form. Any profit made from the sales of the publication will go towards funding an imperfect index no.3 in 2025.
Downloadable PDF of this information available here.
imperfect index: Volume 01
Available at Sold Out Publishing.
imperfect index is a reference document, a non-linear, imperfect guide to a more expansive understanding of graphic design.
Taking a look back at graphic design’s discriminatory past and directly at its discriminatory present, the publication contains a collection of voices, ideas and projects, that look forward to more diverse and inclusive futures. Featuring Nina Paim (Futuress and Bikini Books), Kaleena Sales (Extra Bold and Centered) and Alison Place (Feminist Designer), and more.
Contributors:
Alexandria Canchola, Alison Place, Amandine Forest-Aguié, Arjun Harrison-Mann, Beatrice Sangster, Conor Foran, Dellana Arievta, Dimitri Reist, Dina Benbrahim, Dohee Kwak, Elaine Lopez, Es-pranza Humphrey, Joshua Dutweiler, Kaiya Waerea, Kaleena Sales, Kelly Walters, Kinda Savarino, Lara Dautun, Lihao Zhu, Lynne Elvins, Michele Y. Washington, Mister Samo, Nina Paim, Poppy Thaxter, Radical Characters, Stephan Rosger, Tony Stiles, and Zed Gregory
Edited by Abbie Vickress and Laura Parke
Volume 02 will launch in September 2025 at the next small talks event – stay tuned for updates!
imperfect index 2024
Watch the recording here.
Speakers:
Ol Gabe, Y Papur Wales
Jodi Hunt, Bristol-based freelancer
Rose Nordin, OOMK and Rabbits Road Press
Paul Soulellis, Queer.Archive.Work
Kaiya Waerea, Sticky Fingers Publishing
Photography by Ruby Turner
imperfect index 2023
Watch the recording here.
Speakers:
Zed Gregory, They Them Studio
Arjun Harrison-Mann, Studio Hyte
Nina Paim, Futuress and Bikini Books
Kaleena Sales, Extra Bold and Centered
Kelly Walters, The Black Experience in Graphic Design and Black, Brown + Latinx Design Educators
Photography by Enzo Xenakis-Serra