My Master's thesis : The notion of appropriation in the activist graphic design of the French fourth-wave feminist movement

I chose to base my master's thesis on the concept of appropriation in the activist graphic design of the French fourth-wave feminist movement. Having followed the feminist sphere on social media for several years, I can now consider myself one of those activists.

Purifying transmitted messages, normalizing new concepts, intriguing, shocking, forcing discussions on certain topics, and either continuing or opposing something—appropriation in feminist graphic design can have many applications.

In France, activists continue to work on changing our language by appropriating and reusing existing messages and visual forms from current events. In writing, appropriation can lead to the creation of new knowledge and words, as well as new developments in typography, enabling more inclusive designs. The same applies to images—through illustration, photography, and video, appropriation can reclaim these fields and offer new representations of all French womxn. This practice bridges the past and future of graphic design.

Incorporated into these productions, appropriation contributes to transforming norms and standards in women-men relationships. Feminism articulates the issues of violence, and graphic design aids in raising awareness about them. Feminist and activist graphic design provides women with the tools to understand patriarchal violence and a means to combat it. Appropriation serves as a powerful visual creation tool and a vector for clear and understandable messages, empowering women and minorities to recognize their strength and influence within the fourth-wave feminist movement.

Beyond my interest in the graphic dimension, this thesis represents a medium for my personnal woman's commitment that I have decided to fully embrace in my own graphic design practice. Writing this thesis has also enhanced my analytical skills, making me fully prepared and eager to embark on future projects.