Have you ever thought about the fact that design and advertising influences nearly every part of our lives and is part of a lot of decisions we make?
You get up, woken by the alarm…
By the Alarm clock you have chosen – why did you choose it, perhaps you liked the design, perhaps it was cheap. How did you know it was cheap – because of the design of its packaging or the design of the shop it was in perhaps.
You get out of bed…
You pull back the quilt, with the design that you chose because it matched the decor of your room or because it said something about you.
You shower…
You are bombarded with designs which promise fuller softer hair and skin. Bottles of product you chose say – I look after myself, I’m indulgent, I’m practical or I’m on a budget.
You brush your teeth…
Will your toothpaste help your sensitive teeth , did the advertisement promise your teeth will be white than white, or did you choose the supermarket brand which you trusted to give quality and value?
You get some breakfast…
Cereal packets cry eat me I’m healthy, I’m sweet, I will stop you feeling hungry all day. The colour and tone of the packaging helps you believe in the product.
You leave and get in the car…
Why did you choose that car, was it the design, the colour, a status symbol, the advertising which suggested you would become more attractive to the opposite sex? Maybe it was the cheap and cheerful signage in the garage saying BARGAIN ONLY £XXX
On your way to work you will be bombarded by signage, billboards, logos and designs on other vehicles, radio advertising and you haven’t even got to work yet.
How much do you think design and advertising influences our lives?
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16 Comments
That’s why I do a lot of standing in the middle of fields… No design in fields.
What about the patterns on the cows?
Nope. No cows in the fields I stand in… Only Camels – and they couldn’t possibly have been designed, or they’d be much more practical.
This is something I wish I could have let some of my clients read. Well put.
I think we tune most of it out. I’ve heard we do the same thing with noises around us (yes, pun intended). There are just too many to pay attention to!
Lauren – you *think* you tune out of it. But those advertisers don’t pay mega-bucks for nothing.
It’s a weird question Tara – it influences us by an unmeasurable amount. EVERYTHING is designed in some way. The mouse I’m holding is designed, as is this keyboard and the screen I’m looking out. The window I’m looking out of is designed in a sash kind of way, the flower pots in the garden have patterns on them, the street lamp out the back is one of the attractive ye-oldy style downlights. I’m starting to freak out… :p
Aah… Everything is designed *except* for fields and camels.
This reminds me of a video I saw on YouTube some time ago about the effects of subliminal advertising on people who create advertising. It was very interesting but I cannot find the link anymore. Anyway, it turns out that ad people are just as susceptible to subliminal advertising as everyone else. Not sure how this is related to the post, but it really did make sense to me just a few moments ago…
Hi Sarah, Thanks for your comment I am glad you agree. Design definitely influences us in more ways tan we realise.
Lauren, we definitely do switch off to some of the messages (otherwise we’d go mad), but dome of it goes into our subconscious still.
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for your comment, it probably is a weird question and of course I have exaggerated to some extent, I was just trying to get across the message that design is a lot more important than some people realise.
Hi Paul,
Have you got a thing about camels?
Hi Siong,
I think the video you are referring to is the Derren Brown (hypnotist) one, where he drove some advertising people to a room and fed them subliminal messages on the way. Its has been shown on TV in the UK.
I’ve made it my quest ever since I was born not to be tricked by advertising. That’s why I became a graphic designer so I could have control over it… I’ve been trying for 18 years already [graphic design]
I’m a little late to this conversation, but I wrote an article way back in 1995 that relates to this. It’s called How Technology Has Changed Creativity in the Ad Business. It takes a look at how a splashy TV ad directed by Ridley Scott launched the Mac computer and how the Mac has physically changed how we create in the ad world.
I agree with the comment about our learning to ignore advertising.
Do you think we ignore more advertising as we get older?
Does this mean that advertising to older people is harder.
To make us take notice of an add these days it has to be different in some way, such as being shocking or inovative.
This was nice to read , there is a good point hear , and like some said you can always stand in the middle of a field
I would like to turn your thoughts on there head and argue that rather than design shaping my life I shape the design around me. The fact that I pick the alarm clock means that I am in control. I chose which food to buy – and I certainly do not buy brands because of there packaging.
I way up price and taste. My shopping trolley is a mixture of value, mainstream and exclusive foods.
This article reminds me of the Fun with brands illustration in particular “Jane’s Brand-timeline Portrait”
Every brand and the kitchen sink in a chronological timeline.
I don’t usually think about it but you’re right, advertising and especially design does feature in almost every part of our lives. Everything I’ve chosen is either because it’s been advertised in some way (and not necessarily by the company) or because the design caught my eye.
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