Earth Day

We are seeing one of the first Earth Day posters made by Robert Rauschenberg made in the 1970s. In the center of the poster we see a bald eagle, a national symbol of the United States. Surrounding this image are scenes of climate change and destruction such as contaminated water, animals outside of a healthy environment, and destroyed ecosystems. These images are paired with bold text that reads, “Earth Day 22 April”, marking the first Earth Day in United States history. 

This poster is important to the history of graphic design because it’s an important moment in the relationship between graphic design and activism. Rauschenberg used collage, photomontage, and typography to communicate a message of the importance of environmental action. The poster itself uses visual storytelling to create discussion and bring people together surrounding the issue of climate change. 

Rauschenburg’s Earth Day 1970 poster reflects the growing role of designers as activists in the 20th century. He uses graphic design as a means to organize a gathering around an important issue, and it’s something we celebrate to this day. Graphic design and visual communication became essential to climate change movements by revealing global and local environmental issues, inspiring awareness and action.