Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Dilemna

While in design school, I remember a topic that was brought up for all designers to ponder on. The main idea is based around morals and how they can effect you in the advertising environment.

For Example: Do you have what it takes to design an ad campaign for the Marlboro Man if you feel strongly against smoking.

For as long as I've been a designer, I've never been faced with any major case against my moral beliefs. That is until the other day when given the task to scan a sketch for a designer.



WTF! Is this some kind of joke? I finished scanning the artwork and passed it back but was curious to hear why.

me: What is this for?

artist: Oh, so-in-so needs it for some birthday party t-shirt design.

me: ok. I don't know if you realize this but that image is quite offensive.

artist: wow. really?

me: I'm just concerned where this image is going to be presented. There could be some people who find this wrong. I mean, you understand the stereotype your representing here, right? Are you saying all knitters are old? or that when your old the only thing you do is knit?

artist: The request was for a hip old grandma with a possible suggestion of her knitting in a rocking chair.

me: I'm not saying your doing it wrong, I'm concerned your presenting this to the wrong audience.

artist: well, aren't there grandma's who knit?

Why do I even bother... go ahead and just spread the stereotype for others to see.

The next day I was pleasantly surprised to see that he had taken a different artistic direction.



Kinda like a score for the good guys, ya-know. So proud.

3 comments:

Knitterary said...

Excellent work, Red. I hate that stupid knitting grandmother stereotype.

Jen said...

Yay for you! The second one is so much better and maybe a muggle has learned something. :)

Anonymous said...

The Artist,
My ears were itching,
Team work always works.