Stefan Boublil | USA Character Blog http://www.characterblog.com/ Celebrating the people, places and things that are positively impacting American culture. en Copyright 2011 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:00:00 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Is Design too Young for Nostalgia? That is the question that Cody Hamilton and his relics seem to be asking. On one hand, we humans do tend to worship the past as a matter of definition; on the other, do we simply glorify form not for the sake of art but in order to do better in the present? Cody's pieces, given a desensitizing coat of white, are supposed to make us feel instead of merely think and they do succeed in that, something that is actually perhaps more valuable. Indeed, we must consider design as a tool for emotion, not simply function.

Screen shot 2010-12-03 at 11.25.52 AM.pngSays Hamilton of his work, "Relics is a project playing off the idea that the white Greek statues that we see now were once bright, colorful and vibrant. I wanted to bring that idea to the most colorful and vibrant decade ever, the '80s!" He accomplished this by covering iconic pieces, everything from a Viewmaster to a Rubik's cube, in a coat of white that mimics the marble of ancient artifacts.

If design must be ascribed a mission, it is to start conversations that have not been had before. And that is exactly what Mr. Hamilton is asking us to do with his Character Approved relics of the past. From the Atari joystick to the VHS tape by way of the Stay Puft Marshmallow man, we must start talking!

[Images: Cody Hamilton]

]]> http://www.characterblog.com/2010/12/is-design-too-young-to-be-nostalgic-about.php http://www.characterblog.com/2010/12/is-design-too-young-to-be-nostalgic-about.php Design New Today 1980s Art Cody Hamilton Design Relics Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:00:00 -0500 Monoprix Says No to Junk Design! "No to junk design!" is the rallying cry of, surprisingly, not the latest à la mode designer from Amsterdam but of Parisian supermarket chain Monoprix! Beginning earlier this month, the French behemoth has decided to re-think, re-brand, and re-market its private label products. Exclusively typography-led, the new packaging marks a departure from the usual lower-priced lines offered by les grandes surfaces.

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for monoprix-lait.jpgTruth is, there is nothing like affecting change from the bottom (prices, that is), but so very few mass outfits dare to take the risk of presumably alienating part of their consumer base in order to offer better design. Well, Target has been doing it successfully for ages now, so something about it works, and that has probably inspired Monoprix to get started on the transition. In fact, many customers will probably prefer this basic, well-designed line of products to their overdone counterparts.

For reminding us that design can be less about "the product" and more about what you do with it, Monoprix is Character Approved.

[Images: Gaduman]

]]> http://www.characterblog.com/2010/12/junk-design.php http://www.characterblog.com/2010/12/junk-design.php Design New Today Design Food Monoprix products Target Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:00:00 -0500