Blogg assignment 8

Konik,I. 2007"Thematising the ugly side of sublime technological development:
Sonzero’s Pulse (2006) as an inadvertent critique of the
‘technocentrism’ of postmodernity"

State in your own words what Konik is saying?

In this article, I understand that Konik is saying that society and technology are becoming part of each. It is as if people cannot live without technology anymore-ant it's too late to learn to live without it. Technology is improving the way we live our lives but it is also destroying and complicating the concept of being human and it is changing the ability to rationalize and think without technology and media.

Blogg assignment 10

Subculture

Zef...

The term Zef is South African slang word, which roughly translates to the English word common.  It is also not typical of the poorest classes of the society, but rather a mostly white, lower-middle class subculture.  Die Antwoord singer Yolandi  Visser saying, "It's associated with people who soup their cars up and rock gold. Zef is, you're poor but you're fancy. You're poor but you're sexy, you've got style."

It is a movement that glorifies the trashy and the weird, a tougher relative to the American Rednecks and the British Chavs. 

The culture began forming in the 60s and 70s and a genuine Zef culture still exists in the rougher parts of South African cities. However, its rebirth happened in the depths of the underground Bellville music scene. Bellville, a deteriorating, middle class suburban city and South Africa’s premier rock capital, is the home to Zef revival. Zef has been tweaked by Bellville super stars like Jack Parow and Die Antwoord, who have breathed new life into the culture through their music.

Mullets, tracksuits, cars with fur on the dashboard, Crocs, brandy and vulgarity- these are the images that jump to mind when thinking of the South African cultural movement, Zef. 

Blogg assignment 9

POST MODERNISM

Blogg assignment 7

Modernism vs Postmodernism

Blogg asignment 4, 5 and 6

The importance of a Manifesto

First things first Manifesto

http://www.emigre.com/Editorial.php?sect=1&id=14

Incomplete Manifesto for Growth (Bruce Mau)

http://umcf.umn.edu/events/past/04nov-manifesto.pdf

Group discussion on these Manifestos

These manifestos are about designers feeling uncomfortable with the way their skill are being used.  Their skills are being misused.  These designers want their work to be more personal and not so commercialized.  They want their work to be moved away from marketing and advertising and they want to express meaning and emotion throughout their design work.  They want people to see individuality and be able to relate to their work, that is what make their work worth doing.

More manifestos of interest and relevance

Apple Crazy ones manifesto
http://www.1000manifestos.com/apple-crazy-ones/

Marinetti futurist manifesto
http://www.1000manifestos.com/marinetti-futurist-manifesto/

Frank Catalano the practical nerd manifesto
http://www.1000manifestos.com/frank-catalano-the-practical-nerd-manifesto/

Chuck lorre Vanity Cards manifestos
http://www.chucklorre.com/index-bbt.php


How to write a manifesto
http://www.alexandrafranzen.com/2013/02/11/5-ways-to-write-a-blow-your-mind-manifesto/

Conceptual Design

• Endangered species and poaching, wildfires, multiple dangers, drinking during pregnancy.
• Rhinos are not going to exist anymore if they keep killing them, animals, not only trees get killed in wildfires, alcohol abuse.
• Alcohol abuse, rhino/animal poaching, wildfires.
• Conceptual design has more value and it is more engaging, more aspects can be talked about, much less words on the actual design.  The picture does the talking.  Commercial design is done for the purpose of advertising and is done in a way so its understood easily by the masses and use words to do the convincing.

United Colors of Benetton Campaigns

http://www.dw.de/bringing-aids-awareness-back-into-fashion/a-590961

What stays the same about the Benetton brand is the way they use social and controversial issues to help with their advertisements.  The always use these issues to make their campaigns get more attention and response.  What also stays the same on the campaigns is the fact that they always have their logo somewhere on the advertisement, no matter what the ad is about or how small or big it is.

The changes in the Benetton campaigns might be that the ads stay up to date and change according to what issues are most current and serious at the moment.  They don't concentrate on the same issues the whole time.

Blogg assignment 3

Three Contemporary Brands that I admire

We were assigned the task to name and explain 3 brands that you admire as a designer...

I chose...

• Coca-Cola  http://www.cocacola.co.za/
• Nando's  http://www.nandos.co.za/
• Virgin group  http://www.virgin.com/

Because...

these specific brand always has something new an unique to offer when it comes to advertising their product, these companies are known globally because of their smart advertising and they stay contemporary by sticking to current trends and knowing their market.  I like the way they brand themselves.

Nando's has a philosophy that says they are nothing without great people, and that that they are all about pride, passion, courage, integrity and family.  Their ads have always been taught provoking and relevant.  They call their ad producers 'comedic producers'.

Where Nando's has a more 'family and comedic' approach to their brand, Coca-Cola said that they set their sights higher than the status quo.  They strive to create a refreshing world and generate value to their costumers, employees, business partners and shareholders.

The Virgin group has a philosophy by founder Richard Branson that has these following lessons:

• Employee freedom
• Looking beyond short term profit
• "Don't just play the game-change it for good"
• Hiring Employees that love what they do

Global companies/brands like Coke, Virgin and Nandos need to show the world who they are and what they strive to accomplish with a specific Vision/Mission statement...

Coca-Cola

Our vision serves as the framework for our Roadmap and guides every aspect of our business by describing what we need to accomplish in order to continue achieving sustainable, quality growth.
People: Be a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.
Portfolio: Bring to the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy people's desires and needs.
Partners: Nurture a winning network of customers and suppliers, together we create mutual, enduring value.
Planet: Be a responsible citizen that makes a difference by helping build and support sustainable communities.
Profit: Maximize long-term return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities.
Productivity: Be a highly effective, lean and fast-moving organization.

Virgin group


Nandos



These are very successful brands that use clever and successful branding techniques.  I would not change about how they present themselves or do business.

Blogg assignment 2

MAGAZINE


http://www.designindaba.com/profiles/enjin

Layout

I would say that the layout of this magazine is very simple in the sense that the main focus stays on the image/photograph/illustration and the text/font on the cover stays minimal.  The logo/title of the magazine is also simple and is always easily seen despite the other contents of the cover.  Every issue of the magazine seem to have a completely different idea and design approach.  I think this keeps people interested in the magazine and exposes readers to news on current design possibilities

Type

The type in this magazine seems to be very simple to keep emphasis on the main image/photograph/illustration.  The type doesn't overpower the imagery, even the type used for the logo is simple, its just modified a bit and used in an interesting way.

Content

The content of this magazine stretches from stories inspired by creativity to reviews of upcoming artists and designers and what inspire them to pursue the world of art and design.  The content is designed to keep people interested.

Style

I would say that the style of Enjin is modern yet simple but still interesting enough to appeal to all types of artists and designers.  The design style is "free" and on the "edge".  There is a certain design structure but every issue still has the potential of being unexpected and "new".

Genre

Art/Design

Niche/Market

Young, up and coming designers/artists looking for inspiration or just an interesting read...