Panopticism

pan·op·tic (pn-ptk) also pan·op·ti·cal (-t-kl)

adj.

Including everything visible in one view.

[From Greek panoptos, fully visible : pan-, with respect to everything, fully; see pan- + optos, visible; see ok^w- in Indo-European roots.]

panoptic [pænˈɒptɪk], panoptical

adj

taking in all parts, aspects, etc., in a single view; all-embracing a panoptic survey

[from Greek panoptēs seeing everything, from pan- + optos visible]

panoptically adv

The panopticism lecture was very interesting. It occurred to me mid lecture, “hang on why is the relevant to me as a graphic design.” But of course I realise it is now. I as a graphic Designer can use the idea of panopticism in my design practise. Controlling the masses with a piece of design or even using the theory as a way of getting people to think more about my designs may or may not be correct, but the idea seems quite to carry some serious implications of what is right and wrong, much like the panopticon itself. It truly does have implications ranging across the entire spectrum of design, from fine art to advertising.

In our follow up seminars we thought further about how panopticism was surrounding us in contemporary society. Even in the lecture theatre itself there was a clear example of it, with the lecturer at the font, with all the student in plain view, not one of use being able to act out of place without it being picked up on.

http://foucault.info/documents/disciplineAndPunish/foucault.disciplineAndPunish.panOpticism.html