The fantastic independent filmmaker Sam Mayfield asked me to create a logotype and basic, extendable website for her forthcoming feature documentary, Wisconsin Rising. The film documents the popular uprising against Governor Scott Walker’s anti-worker agenda. In Sam’s words, what happened in Wisconsin “is a microcosm of what is at stake in America today, at a … Continue reading “Wisconsin Rising”
Author: jonathanlawson
Teaching about democracy through media heroes
Last month, Rev. Everett Parker celebrated his 100th birthday. In 1963, at the request of Martin Luther King, Parker led a civil rights campaign to fight racist bias on local television broadcasts in Jackson, Mississippi. Appealing to the FCC for help, and eventually the courts, Parker’s campaign succeeded in getting the station shut down. Perhaps … Continue reading “Teaching about democracy through media heroes”
Let’s expand community radio!
There’s a new buzz across the country around low-power (LPFM) community radio, now that the FCC has announced an upcoming window for organizations to apply for new licenses. As director of Reclaim the Media and a member of the Prometheus Radio Project’s national LPFM advisory board, I spent several years working with many others to … Continue reading “Let’s expand community radio!”
Poverty jobs at Sea-Tac Airport
Art direction and overall design for a white paper on economic inequality among Sea-Tac Airport’s largely immigrant workforce. Briefing paper 0612
Video clips send the people’s message
When the state legislature is in session, many organizations are doing their best to capture the limited attention of legislators and their staff, often coming to the Capitol in person, and in numbers, to bring important messages. It can be hard to feel like you’re getting through, with state government’s busy schedules and many distractions. … Continue reading “Video clips send the people’s message”
Lumps of coal for greedy CEOS
Father Solstice and his elves prepared for Christmas in Seattle this year by delivering lumps of coal to a few greedy CEOs who are demanding tax cuts for themselves, but austerity measures for the poor. Bah humbug! Santa’s memo to the elves was my last design chore of 2012, and a fun way to end … Continue reading “Lumps of coal for greedy CEOS”
Celebrating International Human Rights Day
Sea-Tac Airport workers marked International Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, as part of their ongoing campaign for good jobs at Seattle’s airport. The placards we designed for a rally involving both workers and community faith leaders took two approaches: First, the quiet yet forceful image of a lit candle. This striking image is a detail … Continue reading “Celebrating International Human Rights Day”
Flotation Device
I’ve been producing the creative and improvised music program Flotation Device at Seattle’s community radio station KBCS since the summer of 2001–feels like a long time! My biweekly cohosts have included “El Fred” Gilbert, composer Chris DeLaurenti and, now, bassist and local music organizer John Seman. On any given Sunday evening, listeners are likely to … Continue reading “Flotation Device”
A Seattle Buddhist Centennial
The Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple (Seattle Buddhist Church) celebrated its centennial in 2001. For the temple and its multigenerational community, it was a year full of celebration and contemplation–and for Susan Gleason and I, an opportunity to capture an incredible story about a quietly resilient community. Before ever visiting the temple, Susan and I were … Continue reading “A Seattle Buddhist Centennial”
There’s no depth to this guy (photos)
Folks will argue about what ultimately cost Romney the presidential election, but I think it must have been in part due to the visuals at this demonstration in Bellevue. I produced the banners and stand-up Romney; Get Money Out of Politics brought their money sacks and corporation costume; and the Backbone Campaign brought the projections … Continue reading “There’s no depth to this guy (photos)”