As part of the movement for peace and justice, Design Action supports all efforts to bring about progressive social change by providing high quality graphic design and visual communications services to progressive organizations. With this in mind, our “Points of Political Unity” give direction to our work. These points are by no means exhaustive, and are just meant as a rough guide.

Design Action is a spin-off from the Inkworks Press collective. Historically, Inkworks comes from the part of the progressive movement which has been most influenced by Marxism. As Inkworks grew, it gained input from other progressive ideological and political perspectives. Design Action is the product of this new generation. This has not altered our belief that capitalism is an inherently exploitative and alienating system and that socialism presents a positive alternative. For us the idea of socialism, a society which places human concerns above the pursuit of profit, still stands as a powerful vision of what society can be.

With this in mind, Design Action has adopted the seven points identified and articulated by Inkworks in 1992 to clarify our political unity and to give direction to our work. In 2015 some of these points were rewritten to use more up-to-date and inclusive language.

1. We see the movement for social change taking place in an international context. The US government is the main impediment to peace and justice on a global scale. We are in solidarity with all people who are working together toward social justice and democracy.
2. We stand on the side of working people. We support work in the labor unions, organizing among the unorganized, and organizing among the unemployed.
3. Racism is central to the structure and function of US society, and the movement for racial equality, here and everywhere, is an indispensable part of the progressive movement.
4. The fight against sexism, transphobia, and other forms of gender- and/or sex-based discrimination is an important struggle worldwide. We support the right of people of all gender identities to equal voice and opportunity, reproductive rights, self-determination and bodily autonomy.
5. We support the human rights and social acceptance of people of all sexual orientations—that they may live openly and freely, and engage in all forms of consensual relationships and/or sexual activities.
6. Protecting the environment is a critical issue as the future survival of humanity and of this planet is increasingly threatened.
7. We support reforms and activity which attempt to empower people and enhance their living conditions. Electoral politics, grassroots organizing, mass demonstrations, and progressive cultural work are important arenas where such activity takes place.

We feel that the progressive vision we have for the larger society should also be reflected at our workplace. We strive to make Design Action a humane place to work; utilizing our union contract as a base for fair working conditions, and a democratic collective structure to enhance maximum empowerment and participation of our members.

as of 10/21/04

Addendum Adopted January 2010:In solidarity with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel (http://www.bdsmovement.net/), Design Action Collective does not work with any organizations who endorse the occupation and colonization of Arab lands. We support the dismantling of the Wall, the recognition of the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality, and the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties.