
Designed to Be Red Book Talk & Signing
October 29, 2026 · 6:30 PM
Online
Brian Johnson discusses researching and writing Designed to Be Red: Native American & Indigenous Graphic Works and its connection to the Poster House exhibition, followed by a Q&A and signing; books are available for purchase.
Hear Brian Johnson discuss his research into Indigenous typography and graphic arts, followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Join Poster House for an evening with Brian Johnson, author of Designed to Be Red: Native American & Indigenous Graphic Works. As the first publication dedicated to Indigenous typography, poster design, lettering and graphic arts across the Americas, Designed to Be Red celebrates Native designers’ joy, subversion, pride, and innovation—centering those who have been excluded from colonial design narratives. From traditional Indigenous creative practices to modern day graphic expression, Johnson presents an expansive look at centuries of rich Native artistry. During the event, he will discuss his approach to researching and writing the book as well as its connection to the Poster House exhibition Designed to Be Red: Native American & Indigenous Poster Works. Doors open at 6:15pm. The event will conclude with a Q&A and book signing. Copies of Designed to Be Red: Native American & Indigenous Graphic Works will be available for purchase in the Poster House Shop. Brian Johnson (Monacan Indian Nation) is a designer, curator, and partner at Polymode. He is a co-founder of BIPOC Design History, an online learning platform, and has lectured and led workshops at the Walker Art Center, the School of Visual Arts, the Institute of American Indian Arts, AIGA’s National Design Conference, and the Rhode Island School of Design. His clients include The New York Times Magazine; MIT Press; A24; Nike; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.