Graphic memory and the visual legacy of COVID-19 in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

This research explores the concept of graphic memory by analyzing ephemeral visual artifacts produced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jeffreys Bay, a coastal town in South Africa renowned for its surf tourism and visual culture. Grounded in graphic memory theory, which highlights the significance of transient printed materials as cultural and historical markers, this research positions visual artifacts as critical tools in capturing socio-economic disruptions and community responses during times of crisis. Employing Zeisel’s Design by Enquiry methodology, pandemic-related visual traces such as signage, sanitation stations, and floor markers were systematically documented within key tourist areas, capturing shifts in public behavior, economic impacts, and evolving local identities. The findings illustrate how temporary visual interventions simultaneously communicated public health measures, exposed tensions between governmental mandates and local economic survival, and underscored community resilience. The eroded condition of certain graphic traces, alongside the deliberate integration of public health messages with local branding, revealed dynamic processes of compliance, adaptation, and resistance. Ultimately, this research highlights graphic memory’s role in preserving local identity narratives and informing future strategies in crisis management, urban resilience, and cultural heritage preservation, thereby contributing significantly to the broader discourse on visual culture, design history, and socio-economic recovery.