(Iveson, K 2012, 'Branded cities: outdoor advertising, urban governance, and the outdoor media landscape', Antipode, 44, 1, pp. 151-174, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 29 September 2013.)
This article discusses the topic of advertising in outdoor urban spaces, the title 'Branded Cities' is definitely a concept which I find interesting, it makes me consider that with each city being 'branded' by the same large corporations displaying the same slogans, brands and advertisements are public spaces becoming repetitive or even standardised - we know what to expect.
Selfridges in London is introducing a shop known as the 'Quiet Shop' the shop features a range of well known brands and products which have been debranded. The idea of the shop is part of a 'No Noise' retail campaign.
'The ‘Quiet Shop’, now open in the Concept Store on G as part of our store-wide No Noise initiative, offers a carefully selected range of products that encourage ‘considered purchasing’. From a capsule collection of unique symbolically de-branded items to everyday stationery and wardrobe staples, the edit promotes a purer approach to design and shopping.' (http://style.selfridges.com/whats-in/welcome-quiet-shop-selfridges)
Selfridges describes the actions of recognisable brands removing their logos and baring all as an 'admirable step' which 'promotes a purer approach to design and shopping.' Personally the I think it could be argued that brands such as Heinz are so familiar and established that simply removing any typography doesn't necessarily debrand the instantly recognisable item.
The text, No Logo by Naomi Klein, will be one my key text when writing my extended essay, Klein is a renown figure within the anti capitalist movement. The book is separated in to chapters of No Space, No Choice, No Jobs and No logo. The final chapter in particular discusses anti-consumerism movements such as culture jamming, Adbusters and the reclaim the streets protests, so will be an important reference related to my topic. There are, however, points thats I need to consider when using this for referencing in my essay, for example, the text was published in 1999 so parts will be dated, I also need to question if there is any authors bias. (Klein, leftist, marxism?)
Advertising in the public domain:
'The proliferation of the quasi- public '"town squares" of malls and superstores has created more and more spaces where commercial messages are the only ones permitted' p.280
'A growing number of activists believe the time has come for the public to stop asking that some space be left unsponsered, and begin seizing it back. Culture jamming baldly rejects the idea that marketing - because it buys its way into our public spaces - must be passively accepted as a one-way information flow.' p.281
'Streets are public spaces, Adbusters argue, and since most residents can't afford to counter corporate messages , they have the right to talk back to images they never asked to see' p.280
'It is one of the ironies of our age that now, when the street has become the hottest commodity in advertising culture, street culture itself is under siege.' p.311
This clip features Klein taking about various topics which she described in 'No Logo,' including the commercialisation of public spaces, the removal of consumer choice and the impact of globalisation. I found it to be full of thought-provoking points, I was especially drawn to the point of 'No Choice' where Klein answers the question of 'why can't you turn advertising off?' with the simple answer of you can't. It's everywhere 'in the streets, on the subway, even in the public bathroom.'
Klein describes how brands such as Coca cola, McDonalds, Disney don't sell a product - they sell an idea or a lifestyle. She use's Virgin as a prime example of a brand which sells an idea, the advertisements focus on selling the 'Virgin type of person' as a brand of individuality.
The First Branded Town - Klein describes Disney as having reached brand 'Nirvana' Disney have reached a point where they have been able to create a branded town known as Celebration, Florida. Located next to Disney World this constructed 'dream town' has a nostalgic American Dream appearance where people can 'live inside the brand' in a 'privatised life.' Personally I find it shocking that a town such as this exists, it definitely looks like a shaped reality where you could live in a (disney) pristine bubble!
Whilst looking at the responsibility of the designer within advertising I thought it was important to research the First Things First Manifesto. The original manifesto addressed the social responsibility of the designer, it was written in 1963 by Kevin Garland and was then signed by 21 of his colleagues. I read the following text by Matthew Soar which discusses the The First Things First Manifesto as a call for designer's social responsibility.
