imported post
This use of words and images for propaganda and "molding public perception" is a pet topic of mine. As a graphic designer, printer, and writer, the topic of understanding how words and images effect public perception is, quite literally, my bread and butter...
I've been doing some research on this issue lately, and am actually moving in a direction with my interests that look more and more like this may actually become my "thesis topic" for my Masters Degree. Interestingly enough, there is a LOT of academic writing on this topic--but it's not taught to people in the graphic design, creative writing, or journalism parts of academia. Where it IS taught (interestingly enough) is in the Public Policy, Political Science, and Public Relations programs, and these people then hire designers, writers, and printers to make their agenda "pretty" by polishing it up for public consumption.
Most designers that I know (and I know quite a few, having been in the business for over 20 years) don't have a clue with regards to things like semiotics, socially-charged words, socio-political issues, and perception-based meanings.
It's looking more and more like a LARGE part of my work as a grad student is going to be working toward expanding the awareness of new designers, so that they have a more clear understanding as to how their work is being used, and educating them as to the more insidious ways that their work is used to mold and shape public perception...