Idea 01
Idea 02
Idea 03
Developments & Feedback:
By exploring all ideas I was able to develop the concept in Idea 01- showing individuality without indulging in expensive consumer culture. Within my essay I explore how goods construct who we are as individuals, and these facets of identity in turn effect how others see us, and how we position ourselves accordingly. When considering the feedback for Idea 01, Beth said to focus directly on one aspect of consumerism to best communicate the intended message- that individuality is not constructed off the expensive consumer items we purchase, but how we accessorise and adapt items to have a personal significance. For example, some goods may be worthless in cost and yet mean the world to certain individuals; likewise, something which could be really expensive in cost and super on-trend commercially, may have a particular significance with an individual making the cost paid nothing compared to the value that item has to us as a consumer. It is unrealistic to suggest an abandonment of consumerism all together, as that is unrealistic to the society we now live in, yet the aim is to instill the message that its not where you buy it or how much it is, but its what it means to YOU as the consumer which gives its societal value.
Highlighting Beth's key piece of feedback to focus this on one aspect of consumer culture, we discussed what this could be and in our brainstorming session we identified what objects can be associated with this common culture, especially when advertising and the cyclical consumer cycle is concerned. Shoes are one aspect which we all need to get by socially, from the 'bottom' to the 'top' of society, making a shared ownership of 'shoes' itself a common culture. Shoes are a basic human need which falls under the category of necessary materialism, and can also be split into two categories- cheap and practical, or expressive and often expensive. The footwear we wear says just as much about our identity as our clothes, and can be a contributing factor to how we construct others views of ourselves and in turn effect our own self esteem. |
Feedback asking others what their opinion is of using shoes as a specific example of necessary consumerism with the possibility to effect identity |
Carrying this aspect forward with regards to Idea 01, the editorial content will be showing individuality, without the 'hard-sell' an exploitative consumer culture. The editorial will be for Dazed and Confused Magazine (mainly the online platform), as this is a pioneering magazine for expressing individuality, yet still very much brand centred in terms of content and attitudes. Furthermore, Dazed and Confused represent a more alternative magazine to the likes of Vogue or Cosmo, who focus more on the products and subsequently advertising the 'ideal', rather than expressing individuality for the sake of expression. Dazed and Confused have a heavy digital presence featuring regularly across all social medias (Instagram/Facebook Boosts/Twitter), as well as their own online magazine reflecting the modern time. The importance of this digital platform as apposed to it being strictly in print, is that the audience must 1) consume the magazine to read the article, making it contradictory in purpose (as the article is based around how identity can be constructed through personal aspects in conjunction with what we consume, so charging someone for that information is unjust) and 2) by targeting a digital platform the possibility of it getting shared to reach a wider audience is more probable, hence inspiring consumers that we cannot fill the dark void inside ourselves by emotionlessly spending, objects must have a significant purpose to us as individuals for them to construct our identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment