The Politics of Design

Manifesto 2000

The designers who signed this manifesto sound disappointed at the public for always associating the message of the product they are trying to sell with the designers themselves. they want to refocus their attention to things they deem more important: environmental, social, and cultural issues.

Hysteria

Jeff Keedy expanded on the manifesto by saying that the public is getting hysterical over the work of the graphic designers becuase it is easy to blame commercial marketing for the many problems in the world. He agrees with the manifesto saying that it would be good for designers like himself to help solve the problems created by global capitalizism but it is hard to do so when the designers are part of the problem rather than the solution.

Light Unto the Wealth of Nations

this article shows how advertising and design have played a huge role in something that people once did for enjoyment and to celebrate the season. the marketing battle between companies has driven down the price for christmas decorations and the advertising campaigns have made it seem as though it is a neccessity to have these things. It has made it to the point that people are willing to pay to have someone professionally put decorations up on their house.

Are you ready for some unswooshing

The Blackspot sneaker idea is a bit absurd to me. Kalle Lasn's company Adbusters intends to make a shoe that rivals Nike and looks nearly identical to the retro Converse shoe. And at nearly the same price tag, the Blackspot sneaker will be slow to catch on with people. Lasn says he is not selling an idea, he is selling a product. while this is somewhat true, along with the product that he is selling is the idea that companies like Nike and Reebok need to change the way they do things.