Cultural studies focuses on identity and how it is created, maintained and understood. Since we are working on creating logos, which is a visual representation of a groups identity, some of things that I have previously studied really seem to apply here.
Like we have talked about in class, and read about, most of the visuals we are surrounded by on a daily basis are purposely created in order to make us feel, think, or obtain something specific. Through these messages individuals and groups create and share identities for many reasons.
There is a man, Philippe Starck who is an all around designer. His work includes industrial design, interior, fashion, graphic and many more types of design.
check out his website www.starck.com
Starck is an interesting character, he is very outspoken about his design practices which involve all kinds of theories about democratizing design among other things. But, what is interesting here is to look how he has branded himself based on these theories.
He talks about designing not for the elite and really designing objects, rooms, clothing etc. with very specific purpose, and very specific thought about the consumer and market place.
Starck has not only branded his objects but he has branded himself based on these ideas. He names his designs things like my "juicy salif" which is a lemon squeezer, but by calling it my "juicy salif" it becomes something else it sends a different message.
After looking at some of Starck's work and his website what do you think about his branding? What design tools does he use, and are they effective? Do you think that his visual rhetoric is cohesive with this verbal messages about design? Does any of this change how you thought about branding?
