1970s Chinese Family Planning Propaganda Poster

One prime example of a design reform that emerged as a reaction against industrialization is the Chinese propaganda posters during the Cultural Revolution in China during the 1970s. 

The Cultural Revolution in China emerged as a sociopolitical movement by President Mao Zedong in 1966 which denounced the old capitalistic and traditional ways of Chinese life and promoted agricultural collectivization. As a result, many propaganda posters were designed to reflect the Cultural Revolution values through phrases such as “Family Planning for the Revolution” and sceneries such as farming, community, as well as the President Me Zedong’s portrait. Women in the posters during this period were also designed to be less fashionable, plain, less consuming but more centered towards family building. Instead of collecting beautiful “calendar girls” on advertising posters in the 1940s, the Chinese people also started collecting Chinese propaganda posters, embracing the Communist values indoctrinated into the posters. Hence, the design reform that emerged during this period transformed its focus from capitalism to communism through the depiction of humble fashion, communal activities and more.