"Design Happens"

In honor of Boxing Day, I thought I’d share the British Keep Calm and Carry On poster, originally designed in 1939. Its notable crown and clean font make it a classic. The stiff-upper-lip sentiment makes it all the more appealing.

The poster was commissioned by the Ministry of Information and printed to raise the spirits and allay the fears of Englishmen in anticipation of invasion during World War II. This image has popped up in homes and stores quite a bit since its rediscovery in 2000, especially since its royal copyright has expired.

Lili Zarghami is a contributor to Design Happens.