4 years later I re-read this statement comparing it again with the dogme95 the vow of chastity ten points list. Out of the statement Mr. John Morgan and students delivered there are some anyway with which I disagree for the relation that there is between the dogme95 (obviously written for movies) list and the peculiarities of design. A too literal translation has been made (hand-held camera=hand-held book) and everything is strongly related to text books. Again, I feel a certain aesthetic view (namely style) on the way things has to be designed (first color black second color red, or the format must not be "A" size). No point anyway has been expressed on the conceptual side of the design process which is to me vital for a good result. Below you will find the original Morgan list, and next to it what I belive is a more appropriate translation from the original list to a design way of thinking. (I would like anyway to thanks Mr. John Morgan and his students to have started such a critical, intelligent and breakthrough discussion over design in present times)
The vow of chastity (revised):
1. Design must work together with the content matter. The concept of a design manufact must relate to the content and not viceversa.
2. Additional material must not be used unless it refers directly to the main subject. It must be positioned where it is referred to.
3. The typeface used must be readable and functional to the text (fancy, illegible or overdesigned typeface must not occour).
4. The text colour is black (or solid color if the whole object is printed in the same color), special colors and varnish are not acceptable.
5. Photoshop and Illustrator filters are forbidden.
6. The design must not contain superficial elements (maximize the data-ink ratio).
7. The designer must not redesign printed/digital matters if not strictly necessary (but instead use what it is to be found).
8. Style in design is not acceptable.
9. The format must be in a size optimized for the printing surface, no paper waste (for books it must be hand-held format, coffe-table books are not accepted).
10. The designer must be mentioned together with all the other workers involved in the project.
Furthermore I swear as a designer to refrain from personal taste. I'm not an artist. I swear to refrain from creating a "work of style" as I regard the objectivity more important than the individuality. My supreme goal is to force the content out of my design work despising any make-up. I do so by all means available and at the cost of any good taste and any aesthetic considerations. Thus I make my vow of chastity.
Written in 2001 by John Morgan and the 1st year students at St. Martin college and revised in 2005 by Daniele Barbiero. On behalf of Dogme95.