Speculative Prehistory of Humanity by Buckminster Fuller
Fuller writes about the advances of technology from people having planes made out of wood and being man powered, to metal satellites in space. These advances have helped people live easier and has given them things that they could not have dreamed of before. These advances were made possible by the wealth of people around the world. Money is not wealth as Fuller describes it, money is more of a tool for trading to comprehend the needs of a person. Another force that played a role in the advances are computers and there power to be able to do anything. Computers are the strongest and intellectual things on the planet. Computers are able to produce and create anything as long as it is given a command. After reading this article I was very confused at what Fuller was trying to get at. She gives many facts about how technology advanced but the point of the essay did not get through to me. It was very interesting but most of the time Fuller seemed to be ranting on and on.
A Question of Design by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
This article also describes how much we have achieved in the last decades. From building ships out of wood to the Titanic the so called indestructible ship. All this was due to the industrial revolution which happened due to the engineers, industrialists and designer wanting to solve the problems at hand. There curiosity and will to solve problems. This revolution also brought about the assembly line which was the main factor in the 1900's of mass production. This increased the profits and efficiency of factories. Many of the designers created the new products which can be seen around the world today. Although designers may seem as though they do not play much of a role in the production of products they help create back up plans just in case. Without these plans company products will fall. The industries of today have a new strategy to help the world. Creating places to be eco friendly and help the world helps with the selling of products. These strategies help both the company and the world.
The Sincerest Form of Flattery by David Kupfer
This article by Kupfer interviews Janine Benyus about biomimicry. "Biomimicry is the practice of borrowing nature's design principlesto create more-sustainable products and processes," Benyus quotes. This form of design is a way in which people can create good behavior and can become one with nature. This study of nature helps create a better world by using the natural resources one is given. Through this others have come to help Benyus with their own studies of photosynthesis or the process in which spiders create their webs. The article also goes into the life of Benyus before she found biomimicry. She was a naturalist even at a young age and through there she began her love for nature. Kupfer's article also goes into the the faults of humans and how we may or may not adapt to the problems for the future.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
#2
Innovation and exploitation- A Critique of American Apparel
This article critiques the effectiveness and efficiency of American Apparel. Unlike like majority of clothes companies, American Apparel promotes the fact that they are made in the U.S. and are vertically integrated. By treating the workers better than that of sweat shops they are able to get the most amount of work in the factories. This is due to the fact that the CEO runs a company where workers come first, giving them many benefits that most other companies do not provide. Some of these benefits include health insurance, living space near the factory and a salary much higher than that of regular companies. Many of the brand's logo inquire about the 1970's in a way that is acceptable. Not only are the companies work habits acceptable their factories are green, using eco friendly tool they help the planet and at the same time save a good profit using natural power. This company has had much success through these methods but also by using sex as an imagery to help sell there product. Some pieces may seem unsuitable but it helps promotes the eco friendly company they are. American Apparel has had huge success with their way of marketing and is only going to get more through the companies choices.
Ethical Design Education Confessions of a Sixties Idealist by Susan S. Szenasy
Susan Szenasy writes about the new generation of students that are graphic designers. The class in which she teaches describes the ethics of design and how design is compared to a sixties idealist. Being a sixties idealist herself she teaches her ways to the students. Believing that the world will change from the ugly state it is now she talks about companies that have interest in not just themselves but also the environment. Design is not only a tool for image but also a way for people to reshape their lives. Later in the article she begins to write about human nature and the destruction of the earth just to satisfy the needs of some people. Materials are being wasted everyday just so a few can have things they want. Many of her arguments is backed by lots of knowledge about how it affects the world and people. Being a sixties idealist her views on the world is much different than others.
This article critiques the effectiveness and efficiency of American Apparel. Unlike like majority of clothes companies, American Apparel promotes the fact that they are made in the U.S. and are vertically integrated. By treating the workers better than that of sweat shops they are able to get the most amount of work in the factories. This is due to the fact that the CEO runs a company where workers come first, giving them many benefits that most other companies do not provide. Some of these benefits include health insurance, living space near the factory and a salary much higher than that of regular companies. Many of the brand's logo inquire about the 1970's in a way that is acceptable. Not only are the companies work habits acceptable their factories are green, using eco friendly tool they help the planet and at the same time save a good profit using natural power. This company has had much success through these methods but also by using sex as an imagery to help sell there product. Some pieces may seem unsuitable but it helps promotes the eco friendly company they are. American Apparel has had huge success with their way of marketing and is only going to get more through the companies choices.
Ethical Design Education Confessions of a Sixties Idealist by Susan S. Szenasy
Susan Szenasy writes about the new generation of students that are graphic designers. The class in which she teaches describes the ethics of design and how design is compared to a sixties idealist. Being a sixties idealist herself she teaches her ways to the students. Believing that the world will change from the ugly state it is now she talks about companies that have interest in not just themselves but also the environment. Design is not only a tool for image but also a way for people to reshape their lives. Later in the article she begins to write about human nature and the destruction of the earth just to satisfy the needs of some people. Materials are being wasted everyday just so a few can have things they want. Many of her arguments is backed by lots of knowledge about how it affects the world and people. Being a sixties idealist her views on the world is much different than others.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
#1
No Logo by Naomi Klein
This article describes the companies of the 21st century and the way they run things. Companies such as Nike, Levi's, Adidas and many other companies around the world have changed the way they run things. Instead of the traditional way of having many factories and mass producing the product. They changed it to focusing on the products image, creating a "soul" for the item they are selling. As the article states, "Image is everything" (Klein 202). Due to the vast amounts of money they spend on advertisement they had to close many factories and lay off thousands of people. Using this new method companies are able to have a markup of almost 400 percent instead of the traditional 100. The closure of the factories is not the only factor in the increase of profit, using a contractor they place companies in areas where labor conditions are cheap. This creates a space between the people at the top and the workers hundreds of miles away. Only thinking about revenue corporate employees only goal is how to make the brand sell through advertising. Companies not following this new logic eventually fall prey, due to the never-ending evolution of society. In the 21st century consumers rely on images, commercials and other forms of advertising to find the products they wish to purchase. Having read this article I find that our society and the world of marketing has become a place of greed. Companies have changed just to increase the income it gets annually by laying off many workers and violating labor laws.
Bing! It's Fabien! by John Seabrook
John Seabrook article is a detailed look into the life of Fabien Baron, an influential artist in the advertising world. Fabien has worked for many big named companies known throughout the world and changed the way they advertise their products. The way Seabrook views Fabien's work as if oxygen had been implanted into them. Fabien's work changed the way advertising is seen nowadays, from having many words and objects bunch together to having one word ads. His style is very modernized and refreshing compared to his predecessors. After reading Seabrook's article his in depth description of Fabien shows that he is a easy going and open person much like the work he makes. Not only does Seabrook describe Fabien, but also his co-workers who are all also very talented. When working Fabien makes very precise choices to create an ad that would be seen everywhere. Being one of the biggest ad designers of the 21st century Fabien creates pieces that can last for years. He has a unique way of thinking in terms of breathing life into his product.
Branding the Individual by Jane Pavitt
This article describes how the people give products their "life" but at the same time how the products people wear and use make who we are as a person. Pavitt writes about how products wear a person and the objects we use and buy are the voices of our personalities. The way one shops for these things, their wealth and the sex of a person also affect the image as a whole. Being wealthy can change the way a person views different materials than another, using these assumptions the wealthier one will shop at a higher class area compared to that of an average consumer. Not only does a person's background shape their own image but also advertisement bombarding the consumers mind. The meaning of an object to a person can differ depending on the need and emotional attachment to the product. Pavitt describes the different kinds of relationships to the goods companies offer to people. Some consumers may be seeking a pleasure to buying an object while others have a need to buy the product. All this consumption relates back to society and their norms it holds for consumers. All these points Pavitt writes about is what shapes a person's identity and how other view them in society.
This article describes the companies of the 21st century and the way they run things. Companies such as Nike, Levi's, Adidas and many other companies around the world have changed the way they run things. Instead of the traditional way of having many factories and mass producing the product. They changed it to focusing on the products image, creating a "soul" for the item they are selling. As the article states, "Image is everything" (Klein 202). Due to the vast amounts of money they spend on advertisement they had to close many factories and lay off thousands of people. Using this new method companies are able to have a markup of almost 400 percent instead of the traditional 100. The closure of the factories is not the only factor in the increase of profit, using a contractor they place companies in areas where labor conditions are cheap. This creates a space between the people at the top and the workers hundreds of miles away. Only thinking about revenue corporate employees only goal is how to make the brand sell through advertising. Companies not following this new logic eventually fall prey, due to the never-ending evolution of society. In the 21st century consumers rely on images, commercials and other forms of advertising to find the products they wish to purchase. Having read this article I find that our society and the world of marketing has become a place of greed. Companies have changed just to increase the income it gets annually by laying off many workers and violating labor laws.
Bing! It's Fabien! by John Seabrook
John Seabrook article is a detailed look into the life of Fabien Baron, an influential artist in the advertising world. Fabien has worked for many big named companies known throughout the world and changed the way they advertise their products. The way Seabrook views Fabien's work as if oxygen had been implanted into them. Fabien's work changed the way advertising is seen nowadays, from having many words and objects bunch together to having one word ads. His style is very modernized and refreshing compared to his predecessors. After reading Seabrook's article his in depth description of Fabien shows that he is a easy going and open person much like the work he makes. Not only does Seabrook describe Fabien, but also his co-workers who are all also very talented. When working Fabien makes very precise choices to create an ad that would be seen everywhere. Being one of the biggest ad designers of the 21st century Fabien creates pieces that can last for years. He has a unique way of thinking in terms of breathing life into his product.
Branding the Individual by Jane Pavitt
This article describes how the people give products their "life" but at the same time how the products people wear and use make who we are as a person. Pavitt writes about how products wear a person and the objects we use and buy are the voices of our personalities. The way one shops for these things, their wealth and the sex of a person also affect the image as a whole. Being wealthy can change the way a person views different materials than another, using these assumptions the wealthier one will shop at a higher class area compared to that of an average consumer. Not only does a person's background shape their own image but also advertisement bombarding the consumers mind. The meaning of an object to a person can differ depending on the need and emotional attachment to the product. Pavitt describes the different kinds of relationships to the goods companies offer to people. Some consumers may be seeking a pleasure to buying an object while others have a need to buy the product. All this consumption relates back to society and their norms it holds for consumers. All these points Pavitt writes about is what shapes a person's identity and how other view them in society.
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