Volume 17–1 (Low Res).pdf

Illiteracy—The Price
Illiteracy is an evil weed. Its roots spread
and fasten onto and poison many aspects of
a person's life and degrade the society that
fails to eradicate it. Most obviously it denies
its victims many of the aesthetic pleasures
that enrich life. It makes a meaningful,
productive education virtually impossible
and leads to limitedjob opportunities, to
frustration, depression, despair. Itsflowers
may rangefrom personal misery to crime—
to crimes against innocent people as well
as against an uncaring society. The time to
permanently uproot and eliminate the
weed of illiteracyfrom the garden of human
affairs is long overdue. The price of
ignoring it isfar greater than the cost of
weeding it out. —Edward Gottschall
If you think
the cost of
education
is high,
think about
ignorance.
—Derek Bok,
President,
Harvard
University.
Second Prize
Ms. Debra Bandelin
Syracuse University,
Syracuse, New York. 8 1/2 x 7 1/2"
The artist describes the compositions
appearing in this school notebook as
' ...written by adults who are in the process
of acquiring basic literary skills. They have
taken the first step towards personal freedom,
economic opportunity and security,
social justice and dignity"
Third Prize
Mr. Rob Musters
Academy St. Joost,
Breda, the Netherlands. 351/2 x 46 1/2"
Even comic strips may not be properly
interpreted without being able to understand
the characters' words.
poverty that often accompanies the illiterate), safety (from the ability to read words ofwarning),
adequate nutrition (from being able to read food product names and ingredients) and the ability
to work at a responsible, rewarding job. To say nothing of the joy of creativity and imagination
that is so often sparked by reading the words of others.
In the last few years we have seen increasing public and private sector attention paid to this
worldwide problem. Literacy programs have been active in recruiting volunteers to tutor those
in their communities who are unable to read, but are eager to be able to do so.
The United Nations has designated 1990 as International Literacy Yeai.
It was fitting, therefore, that we address the problem of illiteracy in this year's Herb Lubalin
International Student Design Competition. ITC was overwhelmed by more than 1300 entries from
students in 30 countries who offered us their visual interpretations of Illiteracy—The Price,
written by Edward M. Gottschall, recently retired editor of U&/c.
Ironically, a surprising number of the entrants failed to properly read (and follow) the instruc-
tions they were given. This not withstanding, the jurors were greatly impressed with the
quality of the work that was submitted. One concern they voiced was the intended audience
Third Prize
Mr. Filip Heyduk
College ofApplied Arts,
Prague, Czechoslovakia. 191/2 x 27 1/2"
This visual illustrates the inability of the
illiterate to connect with the printed word.