The US presidential election: the creative response to Clinton vs Trump

Today America decides whether it is “stronger together” or if it wants to be made “great again”. Over the past few months one of the most hotly contested, shocking and savage presidential campaigns ever has played out. Tomorrow, should the losing candidate decide to concede, the new president of the USA will be either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.

It’s Nice That has been inundated with creative projects that have responded to the events as they unfolded. From protest pin badges to photo documentaries, there has been rich inspiration for creatives as passions were stirred. Here we have gathered some of the best provocative, brilliant and thought provoking work.

Magazine Covers (above)

Magazines were able to commission a stunning array of covers for issues that examined every moment of the campaign. Some of our favourites were scathing, satirical, scary and, confusingly, rather beautiful. Of particular note was the cover of Time by Edel Rodriguez, Private Eye‘s rethink of Shepard Fairey’s Hope image, The Economist’s rethink of the Republican Elephant and the New York Times cartoons of both candidates.

Trump Whoopee Cushion

“Created in collaboration with Mr Bingo and Freddy Taylor and retailing at £5 a parp, the Trump Cushion is a premium prankster product for the discerning philanthropist. All proceeds from the sale of the Trump Cushion go to causes that stand to be affected should Donald become the next leader of the free world.”

Pins Won’t Save the World

“We know pins won’t save the world, but wearing them might make us feel better. And convincing our likeminded liberal friends to vote for Hillary can go a long way, especially in a swing states,” say Pins Won’t Save the World. The initiative, conceived by Sagmeister and Walsh, has created a set of protest badges by a stellar line up of artists and illustrators.

Eike König’s poster

A typographic poster by the German artist and designer offers his thoughts of what the next steps in the political evolution of the US might be.

Mark Sommerfeld: Buffalo 2016

Photographer Mark Sommerfeld visited a Trump rally in Buffalo, New York early in the electoral campaign. “I feel these images hint at just how much of a show political campaigning in the USA has become, in scale and entertainment value,” he said of the project.

Ilma Gore: Make America Great Again

Ilma Gore’s painting Make America Great Again saw the artist threatened with legal action. The image depicted a naked Donald Trump in a thoughtful pose. The artist stated at the time: “Make America Great Again was created to evoke a reaction from its audience, good or bad, about the significance we place on our physical selves. One should not feel defined by their penis size or vagina, as it does not determine who you are. Your genitals do not dictate your gender, your power, or your status. Simply put, you can be a massive prick, despite what is in your pants.”

Erik Yahnker’s political portraits

Artist Eric Yahnker has depicted both candidates in his inimitable style, even going as far as creating an image of Gollum from Lord of the Rings in a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat.

Take a Trump Live

Read the tweets posted by candidate Donald Trump as they appear on a toilet roll on this site conceived by Stefan Witteman and Kenzi Benbdallah.

Johanna Burai

I Can’t Stand His Brain is a drawing by Stockholm-based designer and art director Johanna Burai.