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Political campaigns are won and lost on perception. Design has emerged as one of the most powerful tools in a candidate's arsenal. When Zohran Mamdani's campaign design language recently caused a stir in the design community, it became clear to me that we hadn't given Dan Mall his flowers. Dan Mall, for the unfamiliar, is the creative force behind the Harris-Walz campaign's visual identity. He crafted something remarkable: a design language that didn't just look good—it told a story, built trust, and created movement.
Dan Mall
A screenshot of his new website
Last year, we explored the intersection of podcasts and politics. Today, we're diving into something equally compelling: design and politics—and why Dan Mall deserves far more recognition than he's received.
P.S. Stay til the end for some virtual event announcements!
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Dan Mall is a designer, but that’s simplifying his impact in the creative community. He’s a newsletter creator who went from 1K subscribers to 60K subscribers in 3 years. He’s also a course creator and a staunch supporter of other designers who are creating amazing work and looking for jobs. And while each of these achievements is an article in its own right, I wanted to focus on what is likely his most high-profile design project to date.
Dan Mall's work on the Harris-Walz campaign was a masterclass in strategic design. By drawing inspiration from Shirley Chisholm's groundbreaking 1972 presidential campaign, Mall created a visual bridge between history and hope, between pioneering political movements and modern-day change-makers. I haven’t read Steal Like an Artist yet, but I’m sure this book has something to say about gleaning inspiration from what’s come before and leveraging it in a new way.
The Harris-Walz campaign design didn't just communicate policy—it created an emotional resonance. For creators and marketers, this is essential. Your visual identity should make people feel something before they even read your content or understand your offer.
Citation is how we show love to those who came before us.
By echoing Shirley Chisholm's campaign aesthetics, Dan Mall showed us that innovation doesn't mean abandoning the past. For entrepreneurs, this means understanding the history of your industry and building on the shoulders of those who came before you.
Newness and novelty is building on what came before.
A cohesive design language across all touchpoints—from social media to physical materials—creates recognition and trust. This applies whether you're running a newsletter, a podcast, or a full-scale business. Your audience should recognize your work instantly, anywhere they encounter it.
Dan's work demonstrates that design isn't just about making things pretty, though it should be pretty—it's about strategic communication. Every color choice, typography decision, and layout serves a purpose. Ask yourself: Does my design do something, or does it just look like something?
We see many of these principles being implemented across various political factions. Have you ever wondered why The Squad’s design language looks similar? Why almost every Republican logo or yard sign includes the color red? Design is a visual language that transcends words, and in politics, it can signal belonging, values, and vision before a single speech is given. Just as Zohran Mamdani’s campaign signs became a signal of the fight between billionaires and working-class people, so did Kamala Harris’ campaign signs become synonymous with a joyful future.
For creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs, the stakes might feel smaller than a presidential campaign, but the principles remain the same. Your design is your voice before you speak. Make it count. Make it beautiful. Make it strategic. And maybe, just maybe, give Dan Mall his flowers while you're at it.
👩🏾⚖️ First Order of Community
If you made it this far, consider sharing this article on social media or with someone who would enjoy it. If you’re new here and want to hang with me and other community members, check out our upcoming events:
Join Matt Gilhooly and me live on Riverside for a chat about conducting valuable and emotional interviews on Thursday, December 18th at 6PM. You can RSVP here.
Join Michelle, Corey, and I on Riverside for our very first 2-day Virtual Summit on February 19th and 20th, 2026. Us, 5 speakers, tons of value to kick of the year. You can RSVP here.
Can’t wait that long? Join us on Substack live tomorrow evening at 8PM. No RSVP is needed; simply log in to the app on your phone or desktop, and we’ll see you in the chat!
