Week 11: Trends and Envrionment
Trends, symbols and overall aesthetics this week. There's hidden messages, logos and more all around us. From Adidas logo to the Red Bull on my can beside me, there are many logos in plain sight.
Associated positively, negatively, with glee or disgust, it's eye-opening what a symbol, icon, or logo can provoke amongst the general public.
Personally, I've actually been straying away at least from wearing very many logos at all. At least on the outside visually. Growing up, you wouldn't see me dead without a Nike logo on my body somewhere. Now that I'm 28 and an artist, I enjoy just a simple black t-shirt and a logoless pair of sweats.
It's interesting how much one can associate with a brand logo or mascot. Surely for some, it's their whole identity.
Lecture
This week's lecture with Martin brought the idea to fruition that words are somewhat shaky. What to be conveyed is easier in a symbol, sign or picture. It brings forth the idea that symbols and signifiers are all around us.
I look forward to moving on my adventures looking for more signager. Although I must say.. my area isn't the most walkable. I'm based in the United States where walking to a coffee shop isn't directly a thing. I do hope to move one day where this is a possibility. I remember living in London some 9 years ago, I would walk constantly and look at all the signange in front of stores. It tells a world of envrionmation just from the few seconds of looking at the sign in front.
For example, it could sell the customer on walking in immediately and or vice versa, stir them away. It's incredible to think that some shapes and a few words can have that effect.
Research Task
This week's task was:
Choose a brand that exists within a range of different global regions. Explore the varying design approaches of this brand and the ways in which it chooses to communicate in different countries. What differences and similarities can you spot? Why do you think the brand might take certain design decisions depending on regional context?
To answer this, that would have to be that of Adidas. They're a global brand and truly one of my dearest brands. Beginning in the early 1900's they've certainly have a long journey. From the lands of Bavaria to more commonly football and sneaker fans alike. It is scaled on a global scale and rivals the greats such as Nike.
To put it into word's in a soccer standpoint their Samba's (first cleats):
Weighing in at 357 grams, the first Samba looks very different to the streetwear icon we know and love today. Launched in 1950, the shoe is originally created as a football boot for icy and snowy pitches. Fast forward to today and the shoe has gone through quite the transformation, becoming one of the coolest kicks off the pitch.
In terms of a brand like Nike for an example, the German shoe shines in comparison. The clean edges of the Adidas logo and sleek colorway (such as flags within the trefoil) is something I've always had a soft spot for. Nike doesn't play around enough with their logo in my opinion. Adidas we're the pioneers of expression in my mind.
References
Town of dumfries: Dumfries va. Facebook. (n.d.-b). https://www.facebook.com/TownofDumfriesVirginia/
Wikimedia Foundation. (n.d.). File:University of Falmouth arms.svg. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:University_of_Falmouth_arms.svg
History - adidas group. adidas. (n.d.). https://www.adidas-group.com/en/about/history
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