This master's thesis explores gatekeeping theory in the context of contemporary graphic design and examines the impact of the open-source approach on the position of designers. Based on a theoretical investigation, it develops a conceptual model of gatekeeping in graphic design that divides the field into three key, interconnected components: tools, knowledge, and distribution. By emphasizing the position of designers within the network, the model enables an analysis of the relationships between the actors that influence the design process.
The theoretical research is applied in practice through a project developed as part of the author's personal artistic practice. The tool, which operates within the open-source software Blender, demonstrates the application of open-source principles in the development of design tools. In this way, traditional gatekeeping mechanisms can be transformed into open and collaborative forms, contributing to greater accessibility of creative technologies.
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