Showing that knowing and owning are inseparable

2023—ongoing

Logo Design / Infographic / Illustration / Animation

Logo, infographics, printed matter and an animated explanatory film to open up a discourse on the »ownership of knowledge«. The goal was to enable easy access to the complex topic.

Made for the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science.

The project focuses on intellectual property rights and the construct of ownership of knowledge. In modern Western society »owning« knowledge is often only possible by naming things with words — spoken and written. This disregards alternative forms of knowledge, such as the practice of craftsmanship.

Joining the project at an early stage, we aimed to translate its complexity into comprehensible, visual content to make it more accessible to a wider audience. Science communication builds bridges between experts and non-experts that enable discourses on scientific subjects within society.

We created a visual language for the project including a logo, illustrations, infographics, and animations for an explanatory film. The visual groundwork proved itself in use for postcards, posters, flyers, sketchnotes and banners, that we created at a later stage.

Client

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Link to project

knownable.org

The logo’s elements – hand, foot, and mouth – represent the project’s crucial statement: knowledge is not only valid and own-able through words but also through the use of an object or the performance of the body.

Funny, illustrative characters that allow easy access to a complex issue.

Visually appealing design for grid-graphics.

Projecting the three ways of knowing and owning onto the human body makes it easier to grasp the complex construct.

project facts

Knowledge and ownership are inseparable.
knownable.org

The basis for long-term collaboration is laid in kick-off workshops. Especially with complex topics such as the kn/own/able project, it is essential to take the time to get to know each other and ensure that everyone has the same understanding of the subject matter and that expectations are aligned.

Our society values only those that know in the right way.
Ownership of Knowledge: Beyond Intellectual Property, MIT Press, 2023.

We need to change narratives around the history of intellectual property towards social justice.
Ownership of Knowledge: Beyond Intellectual Property, MIT Press, 2023. Chapter 3 by Marius Buning

Western intellectual property concepts are not the only form of knowledge ownership.
Ownership of Knowledge: Beyond Intellectual Property, MIT Press, 2023. Chapter 2 by Cynthia Brokaw

In capitalist societies knowledge is detached from its source and traded.
Ownership of Knowledge: Beyond Intellectual Property, MIT Press, 2023. Chapter 4 by Annapurna Mamidipudi and Viren Murthy

Mimetic materials raise fundamental questions about knowledge and ownership through their use.
Ownership of Knowledge: Beyond Intellectual Property, MIT Press, 2023. Chapter 5 by Marjolijn Bol

Client

Link to project

project facts

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