Comments on: Target’s implausible new target http://cultureby.com/2005/02/targets_implaus.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Thu, 17 May 2012 21:10:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ken http://cultureby.com/2005/02/targets_implaus.html/comment-page-1#comment-6711 ken Sun, 20 Feb 2005 00:02:17 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1012#comment-6711 >>as Victor Turner pointed out long ago, the multivocality of ritual symbols allows rites build solidarity in the absence of consensus; >>as Victor Turner pointed out long ago, the multivocality of ritual symbols allows rites build solidarity in the absence of consensus;

]]> By: Daniel Rosenblatt http://cultureby.com/2005/02/targets_implaus.html/comment-page-1#comment-6710 Daniel Rosenblatt Fri, 18 Feb 2005 16:07:17 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1012#comment-6710 I'm not sure that a little ambiguity in the meaning of design isn't a good thing--as Victor Turner pointed out long ago, the multivocality of ritual symbols allows rites build solidarity in the absence of consensus; a similar ambiguity in the meaning of design might make the campaign appeal to people who almost certainly couldn't agree on what constitutes "good" design. (I mean really--a Michael Graves toilet brush with curvey handle??). Not to mention (and this might be an area worth exploring for market research), I'm not sure that the words people will respond to positively in an ad are the same as the words they might use. I’m not sure that a little ambiguity in the meaning of design isn’t a good thing–as Victor Turner pointed out long ago, the multivocality of ritual symbols allows rites build solidarity in the absence of consensus; a similar ambiguity in the meaning of design might make the campaign appeal to people who almost certainly couldn’t agree on what constitutes “good” design. (I mean really–a Michael Graves toilet brush with curvey handle??). Not to mention (and this might be an area worth exploring for market research), I’m not sure that the words people will respond to positively in an ad are the same as the words they might use.

]]> By: Skeptikos http://cultureby.com/2005/02/targets_implaus.html/comment-page-1#comment-6709 Skeptikos Fri, 18 Feb 2005 13:42:56 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1012#comment-6709 While Ms. Postrel is brilliant, I find this obversation on her part to be part and parcel of the modern American experience. www.dynamist.com/weblog/archives/001605.html While Ms. Postrel is brilliant, I find this obversation on her part to be part and parcel of the modern American experience.

http://www.dynamist.com/weblog/archives/001605.html

]]> By: Skeptikos http://cultureby.com/2005/02/targets_implaus.html/comment-page-1#comment-6708 Skeptikos Fri, 18 Feb 2005 13:15:27 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1012#comment-6708 It would seem to me that anyone who has sat on two different couches, driven two different cars, riden on two different bicycles, or worn more than two different pairs of shoes in thier life knows the meaning of Design. I just bought a new pair of western style boots. I had tried on several pairs (just this past weekend) after several tries resulted in less than a comfortable fit, the salesman (and store owner) said, well, I think I know the problem...you normally buy you boots in "ranch" country (I had just told him my last pair came from a rancher supply store in a town of 700 in Nebraska, and had lasted me ten years)...most of the styles sold in the midwest are DESIGNED for style. There is a brand that just we started to carry, DESIGNED by folks who came from Nike. (I don't know if this is true (www.ariat.com). It seems odd, that he would use Design in a "D" sense, unless he knew what that meant. I think you might be missing the fact that Target is a common denominator marketer, and would not be using such an ad if it had not been vetted in market testing. If you know of an American who does not know the meaning of design vs. Design, please introduce us, I would be much more interested in how that individual has managed to stay out of the common stream of US thought. Also, there is a little group out there called "Intelligent Design" supporters. I suspect that most folks understand exactly what than means (if not in the particular way that group uses it). It would seem to me that anyone who has sat on two different couches, driven two different cars, riden on two different bicycles, or worn more than two different pairs of shoes in thier life knows the meaning of Design. I just bought a new pair of western style boots. I had tried on several pairs (just this past weekend) after several tries resulted in less than a comfortable fit, the salesman (and store owner) said, well, I think I know the problem…you normally buy you boots in “ranch” country (I had just told him my last pair came from a rancher supply store in a town of 700 in Nebraska, and had lasted me ten years)…most of the styles sold in the midwest are DESIGNED for style. There is a brand that just we started to carry, DESIGNED by folks who came from Nike. (I don’t know if this is true (www.ariat.com).
It seems odd, that he would use Design in a “D” sense, unless he knew what that meant.
I think you might be missing the fact that Target is a common denominator marketer, and would not be using such an ad if it had not been vetted in market testing.
If you know of an American who does not know the meaning of design vs. Design, please introduce us, I would be much more interested in how that individual has managed to stay out of the common stream of US thought. Also, there is a little group out there called “Intelligent Design” supporters. I suspect that most folks understand exactly what than means (if not in the particular way that group uses it).

]]> By: ken http://cultureby.com/2005/02/targets_implaus.html/comment-page-1#comment-6707 ken Fri, 18 Feb 2005 11:59:18 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1012#comment-6707 Target it seems to me, is attempting to tap into a larger American cultural movement - design for everyone. Although surface level responses about things like "oh how pretty", it is what people talk about next that is interesting. The next level of discussion by new connaisseur consumer is about design. Stores like Design Within Reach www.dwr.com are tapping into this same market of design for everyone. If you have ever talked to owner of iPods or Apples, the 2nd thing out of their mouth beyond "this is so cool" is what a fantastic design. The design importance of design for everyone has been growing since the mid-90's. The fact that a major big box store can use it as a brand, and possibly succeed, just shows how in-gained it is into the American world-view. Target's brand/ad shows that design is "crossing the chasm" so the real question is, where does designess of things as "designed" not matter in America. Indeed, one of te fascinating things about design for everyone, is the move away from European notions of "design" as priviledge and not-ordinariness to really the American concept of thougtful design for everyone, ala Target and Apple, who are re-inventing "american design". The immediate question that should follow is, does design as design matter in Asia, and if so, in what ways? how is it the same/different than the USA or Europe? Target it seems to me, is attempting to tap into a larger American cultural movement – design for everyone. Although surface level responses about things like “oh how pretty”, it is what people talk about next that is interesting. The next level of discussion by new connaisseur consumer is about design. Stores like Design Within Reach http://www.dwr.com are tapping into this same market of design for everyone. If you have ever talked to owner of iPods or Apples, the 2nd thing out of their mouth beyond “this is so cool” is what a fantastic design. The design importance of design for everyone has been growing since the mid-90′s. The fact that a major big box store can use it as a brand, and possibly succeed, just shows how in-gained it is into the American world-view. Target’s brand/ad shows that design is “crossing the chasm” so the real question is, where does designess of things as “designed” not matter in America. Indeed, one of te fascinating things about design for everyone, is the move away from European notions of “design” as priviledge and not-ordinariness to really the American concept of thougtful design for everyone, ala Target and Apple, who are re-inventing “american design”.
The immediate question that should follow is, does design as design matter in Asia, and if so, in what ways? how is it the same/different than the USA or Europe?

]]> By: Troy Worman http://cultureby.com/2005/02/targets_implaus.html/comment-page-1#comment-6706 Troy Worman Fri, 18 Feb 2005 00:35:49 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=1012#comment-6706 Grant, You make an excellent observation. Design matters, no doubt, and Design Review should occupy a milestone in any project regardless of industry. Thanks for the post. Grant,

You make an excellent observation. Design matters, no doubt, and Design Review should occupy a milestone in any project regardless of industry.

Thanks for the post.

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