In The Tate Guide to Modern Art Terms, Simon Wilson and Jessica Lack define appropriation in an art context as “the taking over, into a work of art, of a real object or even an existing work of art.” The Museum of Modern Art further outlines appropriation in art as “the intentional borrowing, copying, and alteration of preexisting images and objects.”

Design for Democracy applies design to increase civic participation by bringing clarity in the interactions between the U.S. government and its citizens.