Critical Daily    Critical practice in graphic design

This year in September it was 8 years since I’ve been traveling by train regularly. I am often asked if I do not mind it. Traveling as such does not bother me. I can use it efficiently. What makes me angry (almost to the point of an allergic reaction) are certain types of passengers.

Commuting is about consideration, mindfulness and compromise but I often feel that we are too focused on ourselves and it reflects in our mutual communication. It is striking that we have forgotten to act at least decently towards each other.

I have therefore decided to make a guide about ten train etiquette rules. Individual points are based on situations I encounter the most often. Moreover, I also included bonus points to make the trip more enjoyable. The Guide has a title How to Survive Commute in Peace (Ako prežiť cestu v mieri), it is a collection of texts and accompanying pictures that relate to individual themes.

I gave away my guides for 3 days on the trains I traveled with. Throughout these days I traveled mostly in personal and accelerated trains, whose journey takes longer and they are more crowded. During those three days I have gone through 6 journeys, 2 every day. During this time, 26 people moved to me in the four-seat box, 15 of which registered and looked briefly, 10 of them read it and two took it away with them. However, it is questionable whether they will think about it and follow it on their journies.

This project was created during the course Critic – Critical practice in Graphic Design at Department of Visual Communication at Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava. Tutored by Katarína Balážiková. The course foucuses on practicing and developing individual or collaborative critical projects.