Seks

1. Is it possible for a designer to keep their artistic integrity while also expanding to the likes of the masses? Do any specific Danish designers come to mind? Are their stores or companies that aim to facilitate good design for the masses?

I think that it is possible for a designer to keep their integrity while expanding to the likes of the masses if you don't jeopardize what made you stand out in the market in the first place. If you strike peoples fancy because of an original idea you should stick by your artistic convictions. I think that often when products or companies chose to go mainstream they either lose the quality of their work or they change the major aesthetics and style of their work to appeal to the times and fads. In the past many successful Danish designs have been submitted to the industrial stream of production while maintaining the quality they were favored for in the first place, such as Arne Jacobson's Danish Chair circa 1957. The sleek modern design of the chair has been impressing and satisfying customer's expectations for half a century.

When I think of a specific Danish company that has branded and marketed to the masses globally I think of Lego. The Lego company has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. Invented by toy maker and master carpenter Ole Kirk and his son in 1933. When adopting the name Lego in 1934 Kirk displayed his marketing motive and intention for the toy. Lego is formed from the Danish word "LEg GOdt" meaning "Play well." Ironically, in Latin the lego meanss "I study" or "I put together." On May 1, 1949 the world LEGO officially became a trademark of Denmark.

Growing up every kid I knew enjoyed playing with Lego's and at a fairly moderate price you have always been able to purchase a wide variety of Lego sets. While Lego's are a simple toy the enhance the imagination of it's user and also help shape little designers. In the world of Lego there are infinite possibilities to what a child can create, or in my case a young adult. When baby sitting my cousins and niece I still play with Lego's and enjoy them thorough. The design of the Lego's is truly that of typical danish genius. While functioning excellently and remaining simple the Lego has touched the heart of many and truly catered the masses cross culturally. The Lego company is a great example of an original artistic designed idea that was able to appeal to the masses while still instill in the customer the original quality of the product. The Lego product has always been well branded and has portrayed to the customer a fun toy that serves as an outlet for creativity and learning for the child whom is so lucky to play with such a toy.

2. Using the Images/text recorded during the branding exercise answer the following question: Why did you chose to draw your image? What does it say about the popularity of a brand? And what messages is being shared by it? How important is good branding? 

All of the brands given to us in class have become icons in American society. Disney for many reasons has warmed the hearts of all and for me I immediately thought of Mickey Mouse. Whether it's because I know he is the original Disney character, or because he is my favorite, he is what  I sketched in class. It goes without saying Disney is well known and has grown into a massive industry within itself. I prefer the old school cartoons. I think that Disney now stands for such a multitude of things that it is hard to comment on its popularity.

When thinking of Nintendo I naturally thought of Mario Kart N64 Style and my main racing man Toad. My roommate and I had an issue with over playing the game this past semester. While I have never been a video game person and have always preferred alternative sources of entertainment I am familiar with Nintendo brand and logo, as are many globally. I think that Nintendo 64 and the original Nintendo have an authentic, almost vintage image in the realm of digital entertainment. Nintendo was one of the first types of video game entertainment and for those in my generation playing these games brings to back to when computers and digital media were simpler. Today I have the software and ability to make animated movies with similar technology as Pixar. My generation was born into the age of technology, it has always been around us, and funny to think about, but brands like Nintendo almost have sentimental value. Nintendo has had a lasting branding and marketing effect on my generation.

When thinking about Starbucks I actually couldn't think of the Logo. I am a Dunkin' Donut girl for sure.  I did however think immediately of generic coffee beans. Whether this reflection speaks to my addiction to caffeine or the quality of Starbucks branding I'm not sure. I suppose this could be on a preferential base or because Starbuck's hasn't been around as long as Nintendo and Walt Disney Pictures. The Starbucks logo itself almost portrays a Statue of Liberty-esk women in the middle. I think the logo simply adopted the idea that it was America's coffee inferring they wanted to appeal to the masses. With a company such as Starbucks there is almost always a market. What the branding or my identity says with the branding does not necessarily reflect the true popularity of such a company, as I am one.

In today's fast pace, technology driven economy and society branding is everything in a company's success or failure. For the past semester I had portfolio class in which the main goal was to develop graphically an entire package of branding that portrayed myself as a designer and person. As displayed in the top image on my blog my logo DLCH is simply my initials. I chose to use my initials as my main identity because not everyone has two middle names. Dani Loryn Christi Hill is written on most of my projects and documents, along with my logo. What sets me apart is more then my name, but to identify with a future employer or internship possibility I felt this one of many ways in which I could set myself apart from others. I don't think that branding for a company is also so much about the significance of the logo and graphic presentation, its success or failure is more dependent on whether or not the logo is recognized. Within the graphic design system there are infinite ways in which one can mature and manipulate their ideas, but that is neither here nor there. Developing a brand for a company is much more then the logo. What sets a company apart from the others, what registers as familiar and trust worthy is what brings consumers back time after time. While my trust factor may be in Dunkin' Donuts the next person's security is in their favorite coffee shop could justifiably be Starbucks or Barrasso, who am I to hate on their identity parade?