Recorded throughout history, there have been many attempts to achieve some meaning of freedom, whether it be for independence, the right to vote or the right to love. However, with politics in play, we might have already achieved freedom in sense, but are we actually free if the system is corrupt? American moral and social philosopher, Eric Hoffer stated that “Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.” (Hoffer, 1955, as cited in Harper, 1954) It was identified that in the battle for freedom, we are not truly free from anything. During this essay, I will explore the relationship between the fight for freedom in society and the use of propaganda. Propaganda is commonly used as a form of persuasion used to influence people's attitudes, beliefs, and the audience’s behaviour and has been used throughout the last two centuries. In the past it’s been used profanely by a government to manipulate its people, along with restricting the amount of information we as the public receive. It’s our right to be informed on how our country, even our world is being run.
The use of propaganda and media has a large influence in our everyday lives. We believe that we live in a free society which in some ways is true. However, in our desire to become free individuals are we actually slaves to society? The intention of this essay is to discuss if ‘Form follows freedom: Propaganda follows freedom?’’ is true. We all have the freedom to speak our mind which enables us to express our feelings and debate our personal views. We now welcome postmodern views into society as our attitudes have changed. If we go back a generation or two, our society was in a completely different situation than its current state. However, this has happened because of what’s occurred in the past. Yet small-mindedness still exists.
Propaganda is a powerful tool used in the past and very used to this day, however instead of using, for instance, posters and radio, there are different means of using propaganda in our modern era such as TV adverts, billboards, newspapers, social media and TV shows dedicated to convey an important message. Nevertheless, these events, charities or companies have branded themselves to be recognizable entities. (Top 10 propaganda methods used today, 2013)
The fight for freedom has been recorded throughout time, whether it is through war, protest or debate. Despite our rebellious attitudes, in the process of fighting for freedom, there is the fear that we are still victims to negative and disruptive propaganda and political command. The information that we, as the general public, receive seems to be selective and filtered by the higher power, in the case of the monarch, country leaders or religious figures. We are led to believe what we are told and shown, but is this an illusion? (Harding, 2012) Is it inevitable that we will always be brainwashed by what the government wants us to think?
On the August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King addressed a group of civil rights marchers outside the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC. His ‘I Have a Dream’ speech that changed how we saw racial abuse worldwide and the world still remembers and acknowledges his speech to this day. However, what people seem to forget the years of struggle it took to achieve this momentous event. (1964) We live in the type of society who idolises inspirational individuals and are influenced by their actions and their beliefs. As a result of this, the use of heroes, idols and celebrities are used to advertise products, bring awareness to particular subjects and generate interest. However before the time of social media and technology, the amount of informative information we knew was limited.
It was said by Joseph Stalin, known for his iron rule of the Soviet Union that “Ideas are far more powerful than guns. We don't let our people have guns. Why should we let them have ideas?” (Stalin, 1945). He saw ideas as a threat as we had free thinking and expression which could conclude in the possibility of a rebellion which he considered more lethal than weapons. Fearful that this could escalate, Joseph Stalin would control his people through terror and centred his focus on government control. Stalin eliminated anyone who posed a threat to oppose him which resulted in the creation of a cult-like environment he surrounded himself with. In conclusion, Stalin took complete control over the media, which corrupted the information that the public received. (History.com, 2009) However, is this the case for today’s society?
The Suffragettes were a powerful force of empowered women who refused to bow to the violence in the name fighting for women’s rights. In the desire to be considered equal in society by having their own voice, they were happy enough to serve time in prison for their transgressions of the right to vote. Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the Suffragettes once said; “We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers.” (Pankhurst, 1908, as cited in Kettler, 2016) Chaining themselves to Buckingham Palace, burning down churches of the Church of England who were against their claims and breaking windows along the whole of Oxford Street were just an example of the handful of their crazy offences. (Thorpe, 2013)
As they feared no coincidental violence, in an act of protest, the Suffragette women refused to eat and went on a hunger strike when sent to prison. Concerned that this would conclude in the death of these women, prison governors were ordered to force feed Suffragettes. This ensured that martyrs wouldn’t be obtained and the government wouldn’t be responsible. (Trueman, 2015) (Pow, 2012)
The turning point for the Suffragettes was during the June 1913 Derby as Emily Wilding Davison threw herself under the King’s horse, Anmer which was filmed and photographed for the UK public to see. Having these women sacrifice themselves for a chance to let others have a voice shows how prepared these women were to fight for equality.
In the battle for freedom, propaganda was used against the Suffragettes to try and undermine their beliefs and to manipulate the audience by creating comical and false remarks through the use of media. (Thorpe, 2013) It is all owed to the Suffragettes that women have the right to a free voice today.
Gender rights have been an issue throughout time. During 1885 to 1967, it was illegal for two men to be intimate with each other as the The Labouchere Amendment passed the law making homosexual relationships punishable by imprisonment. In some cases, men would be pardoned, however would be forced to take hormone therapy which created side effects of arthritis and rapid deterioration in their health.
Alan Turing, the mathematician, known for his contribution in the war by cracking the enigma code is a famous example of the beliefs of the time. However, what was later discovered was he was homosexual and that he was one of the victims who was forced to undergo hormone therapy which later concluded in him committing suicide due to the side-effects. However, from the 27th of July, 1967 to the 30th of November, 2000, sexual acts between two men above the ages of 21 were legalised with restrictions. The Sexual Offences Act of 1967 allowed two men to be intimate, however not in places where a third party would be present. (Hodges, no date)
Since the 30th of November, 2000, the current status in the UK became legal as The Sexual Offences Act challenged the European Court of Human Rights court. Thirteen years later, samesex marriage was legalised on July 17th, 2013. However same-sex marriage is still unrecognised in some parts of the UK including Northern Ireland. (LGBT rights in United Kingdom, 2016) Now considered a movement in history, society has altered its past beliefs and are more eager for individuals to be themselves whether they are heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or transgender. Pride parades are held globally in the countries who have accepted these lifestyle choices and embrace this type of community. An estimated 300,000 people took part in Brighton’s Pride Parade 2016, which is one of hundreds of Rainbow Parades that are held each year worldwide in celebration of individual’s sexuality and same-sex relationships. Rainbow coloured banners are used to signify and represent of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and the transgender community, also known as the LGBT. They are now used as their form of recognition in society. (Fenton, 2016)
What is apparent over the last decade is that, as the more accepting these relationships have become, the more it’s become a trend. Being a certain sexuality has become ‘popular’ and therefore society has taken the opportunity to brand the types of sexual orientation. Films and TV programmes such as The GBF and Faking It have been used as a social platform which takes a comedic and mocking outlook on how homosexual relationships work. (G.B.F. (film), 2016) (Faking it (2014 TV series), 2016) During the struggle to accept different types of sexuality, society has become side-tracked to what has been achieved and therefore the meaning has become lost in what was truly important; the freedom to love whoever we want without consequence or fear of judgement.
The ‘Kissing Coppers’ by Banksy first appeared in Brighton back in 2004 on a pub wall. The mural includes two English policemen figures who are sharing a sensual kiss. Brighton is known for its vast homosexual community and it was believed that the location was chosen with purpose. Banksy’s way of taunting the police and provoking the homophobic was intent in this particular mural.
The anonymous artist known as Banksy also challenges the boundaries by creating powerful pieces of graffiti art as a form of expression and a form of addressing current political and social issues. The Son of a Migrant from Syria appeared on the 11th of December, 2015 after the migrant troubles which caused thousands to emigrate from Syria to mainland Europe and flee for their lives. It appeared on one of the walls of the Calais refugee camp known as ‘The Jungle’. The mural shows the Apple founder Steve Jobs as a Syrian refugee. This statement piece addresses the current migrant crisis that has effected the whole of Europe and is a reference to Jobs’ past as he was also a son of a Syrian migrant who moved to America after World War II. (Kordic, 2016)
Banksy’s work has always created a controversial opinion globally as he tests limits with his statement pieces which many would call controversial, yet expresses his views anyway, while not worrying about the consequences. However Banksy is also an anonymous artist and there is a popular belief that if his identity would be discovered, his work wouldn’t be as popular.
Furthermore, due to the fact he is unknown, this has left a mysterious footprint of curiosity about his identity. It is understandable why his identity is kept hidden. This is due to the controversy he has created and some of his illegal work. Does this simply prove that we live in the type of society where we can’t speak our minds without creating a disturbance? Banksy’s work, the Keep it Spotless mural has previously sold for $1,700,000, shows how popular his work is. A brand has been created surrounding his mysterious identity which has evolved into the production of houseware decorations and tacky T-shirts. Instead of appreciating the art and its message, consumerism and capitalism has taken priority, making the effort taken to get to this point seemingly unimportant. (Randal, 2016)
The Suffragettes era wasn’t the only one to use propaganda to motivate individuals to get involved for support. During the First and Second World War, the use of propaganda posters were used to motivate and emotionally inspire the men of our nation to enlist for the war and fight for their country. While personification, rhetorical questions and emotion are used in these posters with the intention to provoke the addressee while making the men of the country feel obliged to fight for their country through patriotism and pride. (Harding, 2012)
Propaganda is a popular mean of advertising when it comes to warfare and has previously been used during the Second World War, the Russian Revolution and the Vietnam War. Having been used propaganda by the majority of countries, the most iconic posters include the bold US Army Uncle Sam recruiting poster, the saluting Adolf Hitler poster who’s motivating his Nazi army, along with Great Britain’s Lord Kitchener’s recruitment poster with the patriotic Union Jack. (CreativeFan, 2011)
However, do we really believe that without the use of propaganda was used during these wars, alongside the peer pressure of patriotism to fight for your country, would all those soldiers have volunteered for the same cause? Ironically, the soldiers who were forced to fight along enemy lines didn’t have the freedom to choose whether they wanted to fight or not. Therefore, in the fight for their freedom, they were truly captives.
The Second World War is remembered through acts such as wearing the poppy, while films such as Pearl Harbor and Captain America have been released to commemorate war in a certain way. Pearl Harbor presented the war through a love story disaster while Captain America, a fictional superhero character was portrayed and branded as the face of the war. (Pearl Harbor, 1955) (Captain America: The First Avenger, 2014) Patriotism is still visible to consumers today. If you visit any British landmark, shop or museum, the Union Jack Flag will be present. In a recent survey, it was recorded that 80% of English respondents associated the Union Jack with pride and patriotism. (Gardiner and Thompson, 2012)
On August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall was raised between East and West Berlin with the sole purpose of keeping the Western “fascists” from entering East Germany. Due to the Communist regime which governed East Germany, they feared the Western culture would threaten to undermine the socialist state. This came to symbolise the Cold War’s division between East and Western Europe. It lasted 28 years - 79 miles of twelve foot tall fencing guarded the West from the East and the individuals who dared to climb it would be shot on sight. During this time, the information given to East Germans had been restricted and controlled by the government – propaganda and freedom of speech in its purest form.
However, on the night of the 9th of November, 1989, the gates along the Wall were opened as a result of days of mass protest in Germany after the communist leadership was forced from power. In conclusion, both the West Berliners and the East Berliners were free to travel across Germany without consequence and see their long lost families after nearly three decades. (History.com, 2009)
For the last 28 years, the citizens who had struggled to leave East Berlin in the hope of freedom were free to leave. Time and time again, we have proven that uprising against politics to become free individuals is possible. We can’t be slaves to our own freedom. However we are still being deceived in front of our own eyes. It’s our duty as designers to recognise this and act upon it.
These are only a few milestones in our cultural history which has shaped the current future along our perspective on these topics. Freedom of speech is such an important tool which we have fought for in our country, has enabled us to freely express our thoughts and how we express ourselves. Even as we step into the era we call postmodernism, parts of our freedom is still being controlled, whether it be through propaganda, selective information or losing the meaning of the freedom previous generations had fought so hard for. As designers, expression in our work, whether it be through art, products or campaigning, is essential, however it’s not necessary to brand our work with the intention of deceiving the public. It’s our duty as designers to bring this to the attention of the public and rebel against it. Without the freedom of choice we would all be controlled by the higher power.
In the aim to get freedom, we have become slaves to propaganda and the government. The relationship between freedom and propaganda is inevitable. Nevertheless, we must find a way to avoid being deceived. We are entitled our own opinions and but they are worth nothing if we get side-tracked by capitalism and branding. Finally, in conclusion, in the UK we are the lucky ones who control our freedom, along with our ideas. However, we must always be vigilant and be the ones who stay in control by refusing to bow down to capitalism and consumer branding. Our future design influence must have purpose, as have all the design milestones in the past. We have a responsibility as present day designers to fulfil the opportunities given to us by previous design pioneers of the past and continue to pave the way for future designers.
Captain America: The First avenger (2014) Available at: http://marvel-movies.wikia.com/wiki/Captain_America:_The_First_Avenger (Accessed: 7 December 2016). CreativeFan (2011) CreativeFan. Available at: http://www.creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/ (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Faking it (2014 TV series) (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faking_It_(2014_TV_series) (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Fenton, S. (2016) Brighton pride in pictures: 300, 000 revellers take part in carnival celebrations. Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/homenews/brighton-pride-in-pictures-300000-take-part-in-carnival-celebrations-a7177251.html (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Gardiner, B. and Thompson, H. (2012) What does the union jack mean to you? Available at: https://yougov.co.uk/news/2012/05/01/what-does-union-jackmean-you/ (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Harding, J. (2012) Politics and propaganda. Available at: https://toinformistoinfluence.com/2012/05/21/politics-and-propaganda/ (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Hodges, A. (no date) Alan Turing: The Enigma. Available at: http://www.turing.org.uk/ (Accessed: 7 December 2016). History.com (2009) ‘Berlin wall - Cold War’, history.com, . Hoffer, Eric. The Passionate State Of Mind. 1st ed. New York: Harper, 1955. Print. Kettler, S. (2016) Emmeline Pankhurst Biography. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/emmeline-pankhurst-9432764#synopsis (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Kordic, A.K. (2016) What is the meaning behind the new Banksy piece in Calais? Available at: http://www.widewalls.ch/banksy-steve-jobs-calais/ (Accessed: 7 December 2016). LGBT rights in United Kingdom (2016) Available at: http://www.equaldex.com/region/united-kingdom (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Pearl Harbor (1955) Available at: http://movies.wikia.com/wiki/Pearl_Harbor (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Pow, H. (2012) War on women: Propaganda postcards from suffragette era show fierce battle fought by American women to get the vote... And Obama can thank them for his job. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236694/War-women-Propaganda-postcards-suffragette-era-fierce-battlefought-American-women-vote--Obama-thank-job.html (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Randal, M. (2016) 10 most expensive Banksy artworks. Available at: http://www.widewalls.ch/10-most-expensive-banksy-artworks-at-auctions/ (Accessed: 7 December 2016). The Nobel Foundation (1964) Martin Luther King Jr. Available at: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Thorpe, V. (2013) Truth behind the death of suffragette Emily Davison is finally revealed. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/26/emily-davison-suffragette-death-derby-1913 (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Top 10 propaganda methods used today (2013) Available at: http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2013/02/top-10-propaganda-methods-used-today2577690.html (Accessed: 7 December 2016). Trueman, C.N. (2015) Suffragettes. Available at: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/the-role-of-british-women-in-the-twentieth-century/suffragettes/ (Accessed: 7 December 2016). World War II: The Final Victories, (1945). 1st ed. Print.
Figure 1: Together (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 2: Cline, A. (no date) Eric Hoffer [Image]. Available at: http://skepticism.org/timeline/july-history/7264-birth-eric-hoffer-social-politicalphilosopher.html (Accessed: 06 December 2016). Figure 3: Are we free? (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://dispatchesfromexile.com/2015/07/04/are-we-free/ (Accessed: 05 December 2016) Figure 4: Express, D. (2014) UK Tabloids Compared to Nazi Propaganda By UN Human Rights Chief. {Image] Available at: http://yournewswire.com/uk-tabloids-compared-to-nazi-propaganda-by-un-human-rights-chief/ (Accessed: 06 December 2016). Figure 5: Propaganda Billboard (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://jasoninhollywood.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/februarys-drinks-travel-andlifestyle.html (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 6: World Leaders (2015) [Image]. Available at: http://www.igyaan.in/118793/politicians-on-social-media/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 7: RAYNOR MEMORIAL LIBRARIES (2016) I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: HOME. [Image] Available at: http://libguides.marquette.edu/dream_speech. Figure 8: Anderson, T. (2014) Weave wearing celebrities, advertising for hair products! [Image]. Available at: http://thahairgirl.blogspot.co.uk/ (Accessed: 05 December 2016). Figure 9: Joseph Stalin (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://oswaldlivesinanimalfarm.weebly.com/joseph-stalin.html (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 10: Stalin Propaganda (no date) [Image]. Available at: https://www.emaze.com/@AOTRRFOC/Propaganda (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 11: Rainbow Flag (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.hipi.info/2015/06/4-beautiful-rainbow-flag-wallpaper-hd.html (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 12: Suffragette Protest 1 (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3263943/Suffragette-red-carpet-invadedcampaigners-against-domestic-abuse.html (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 13: Suffragette (no date) [Image]. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/517914025883062499/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 14: Suffragette Campaign Poster (1920) [Image]. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/517914025883062485/ (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 15: Suffragette Protest 2 (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3263943/Suffragette-red-carpet-invadedcampaigners-against-domestic-abuse.html (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 16: Derby Day Accident (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3263943/Suffragette-red-carpet-invadedcampaigners-against-domestic-abuse.html (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 17: A Suffragette’s Home (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.vintag.es/2015/10/these-ridiculous-propaganda-postcards.html (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 18: Peace at Last Propaganda Poster (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.vintag.es/2015/10/these-ridiculous-propagandapostcards.html (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 19: Palczewski, C.H. (no date) Suffragette Campaign Poster [Image]. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236694/Warwomen-Propaganda-postcards-suffragette-era-fierce-battle-fought-American-women-vote--Obama-thank-job.html (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
Figure 20: Jail Cell (2015) [Image]. Available at: http://adamfoxie.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/in-tunisia-gay-tourist-sentenced-to-two.html (Accessed: 28 November 2016). Figure 21: Enigma Machine (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/navy/galery-e.aspx?section=2-E2-a&id=10 (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 22: Alan Turing (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/553128/Alan-Turing-Notebook-crack-the-EnigmaCode-auction-1-million (Accessed: 07 December 2016). Figure 23: Crowd Holding Pride Flags (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://mashable.com/2014/06/10/pride-paradeevolution/#5.QnkGxCkkqw (Accessed: 01 December 2016). Figure 24: Pride Kiss (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.channelislandspride.org/etiquette/ (Accessed: 26 November 2016). Figure 25: Jenson, C. (2015) Brighton Pride Parade Festival [Image]. Available at: http://www.brighton-pride.org/category/events/pridefestival/ (Accessed 29 November 2016). Figure 26: GBF (no date) [Image]. Available at: https://www.amazon.com/GBF-Sasha-Pieterse/dp/B00GB0ORJ8 (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 27: Cast of Faking It (no date) [Image]. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/558094578796085115/ (Accessed: 07 December 2016). Figure 28: Pride Parade (no date) [Image]. Available at: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4240320 (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 29: Times Square (2015) [Image]. Available at: http://www.manhattanhoteltimessquare.com/ (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 30: Banksy (no date) Kissing Coppers [Image]. Available at: http://www.ukstreetart.co.uk/banksy-kissing-coppers-sold-americabrighton/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 31: Policemen (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-orders-review-oflegal-protection-for-armed-police-a6780891.html (Accessed: 01 December 2016). Figure 32: Stanmeyer, J. (2015) Syrian Refugees [Image]. Available at: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/syrianrefugees/salopek-text (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 33: Banksy (no date) The Son of a Migrant from Syria [Image]. Available at: http://www.widewalls.ch/banksy-steve-jobs-calais/ (Accessed: 01 December 2016). Figure 34: Banksy (no date) Keep it Spotless [Image]. Available at: http://www.buro247.ua/culture/news/demien-kherst-sponsiruetbenksi.html (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 35: Banksy (no date) Banksy Merchandise [Image]. Available at: http://www.giveasyoulive.com/blog/top-banksy-inspired-products/ (Accessed: 04 December 2016). Figure 36: Union Jack Flag (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/buildings/bestofbritish/slides/crumpled_unionjack.htm (Accessed: 07 December 2016). Figure 37: Who’s Absent? (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 38: We Can Do It (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 39: Soldiers Fighting (1945) [Image]. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333396/recently-rediscovered-diaryWW!-German-soldier-tells-grim-tale/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016).
Figure 40: US Uncle Sam Poster (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). Figure 41: Hitler Propaganda Poster (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.creativefan.com/war-propaganda-posters/ (Accessed: 02 December 2016). . (no date) Crowd. Available at: http://under30ceo.com/crowdfunding-make-sure-you-have-the-crowd-first/ (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 42: Lord Kitchener Propaganda (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.writinglives.org/life-writing-class-identity/hymie-fagan1903-1988-war-memory-and-life-writing (Accessed: 03 December 2016) Figure 43: Captain America (2016) [image]. Available at: http://screenrant.com/captain-america-steve-rogers-comic/ (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 44: Pearl Harbor Poster (2001) [Image]. Available at: http://pacificwarbirds.com/5-little-known-pearl-harbor-movie-facts/ (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 45: Fall of the Berlin Wall (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.leeabbamonte.com/random/fall-berlin-wall-anniversary-tour.html (Accessed: 03 December 2016). Figure 46: Berlin Wall Falling (no date) [Image]. Available at: http://www.cnbc.com/2014/11/07/the-fall-of-the-berlin-walla-triumph-forcapitalismcommentary.html (Accessed: 07 December 2016). Figure 47: Freedom Berlin Wall (no date) Available at: http://www.oldpicz.com/tag/berlin/ (Accessed: 05 December 2016). Figure 48: Smith, C.J. (2015) freedom-in-the-shape-of-a-cross [Image]. Available at: http://silenttruth.co.uk/patience-persistence-on-thespiritual-path/freedom-in-the-shape-of-a-cross/ (Accessed: 07 December 2016). Figure 49: Slavery Hands (2014) [Image]. Available at: http://www.newmanchesterwalks.com/walks-tours/political-manchester/slavery-aplague-on-society/attachment/slavery-hands/ (Accessed: 26 November 2016). Figure 50: Shutterstock. (no date) Crowd. Available at: http://under30ceo.com/crowdfunding-make-sure-you-have-the-crowd-first/ (Accessed: 03 December 2016).
Personal Design History Timeline - First Cassette Player. At the age of six, I received my first cassette from an old second hand store. By now, there’s no purpose for cassettes in our society due to the evolving technology but at the time, they were the most popular technical device to buy. Cassettes have now evolved to CD’s which have developed into digital downloadable music. The lightweight plastic box contained a single song; ‘SK8R Boi’ by Avril Lavigne, which at the time was my favourite song at the time. The boxy cassette would be placed into a rectangular tape machine which was mind-blowing at the time of its release due to the limited development in technology. It would irritate me how it would take so long to rewind back to the start of the song as it would require me to manually rewind the cassette film with a pencil. I believe I used the tape player until the day it broke, which I guess showed how much I loved the battery operated machine. Today, I can’t live a day without music and my life has consisted with so many concerts, listening to my iPod for hours and singing out of tune around the house. It’s hard to believe that my interest in music has developed from listening to the same tape over and over. Ironically, over the summer while I was redecorating my room, I came across both the cassette player and tape and even though it didn’t work anymore, I didn’t have the heart to throw the old device away.
The Maker and Craft There’s no doubt about it, craft making can be so frustrating at times. There was so many times during this process where I could’ve easily admitted defeat and thrown my project out of the window and scream ‘I give up’ on the top of my lungs. Today’s task consisted of crafting Celtic and Chinese knots; the most time consuming activity I’ve ever done. Weaving in and out, following the instructions precisely. However, I knew I needed to persevere, and persevere I did which ended up paying off. The difference between designing and making is transparent. With designing, you don’t have to worry about the construction and the reality, whereas making, you have to construct it correctly and be precise, tackle your personal frustration and be patient. However, this doesn’t mean there’s a lack of creativity in either process. I presume the only slight difference when making craft is the appreciation for it. Knowing that someone has spent so much time and effort on a single pattern or knot for so long – even if you don’t particularly like the end result. There’s nothing more satisfying than spending an hour or so on a small pattern, looking at it and knowing it’s finally completed. It was difficult to be set a pattern or knot and following certain rules, which limits your own freedom as it was necessary to complete the set pattern. However, I believe that was my instinct as a designer to want to put my own stamp on the design/pattern. This will also mean, due to the amount of time spent on the specific crafted product, the higher the quality will be therefore, the value of the product will be higher. My final statement is that craft is very stressful, but also very relaxing when done correctly. This process is not for the light-hearted!
The Influence of Technology – The Parkinson’s Glove Combining the technology which features of the newly released camera stabiliser and the use of wearable technology, as a group, we combined both features and created a product which will aid people who suffer from the medical condition, Parkinson’s. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. We have designed a pair of gloves which the user will wear throughout the day. The intention behind the gloves is to assist individuals with Parkinson’s while they pick up items. Hidden within the glove is a small vibrating device, located at the palm of the glove which counteracts with the shacking that is commonly found with Parkinson’s patients. The aim of this product is to help a Parkinson’s sufferer live a less difficult life and allow them to do simple actions such as picking up a pen for writing or picking up a fork to eat. Wearable technology has not been developed to feature in the medical area of design yet and has potential to integrate and benefit. The glove is made from a combination of cotton and silicon and comes in a range of colours. Velcro tape is used to adjust the tightness of the glove and also stops the glove from falling off. Modernity and Modernism Our chose designer is Marcel Breuer who was known for his contribution within modernism. He was a Hungarian designer who studied at the Bauhaus between 1920 and 1924. Breuer was interested in finding new ways in which new materials could be used in the design of furniture suited to modern style and era. Mainly known for his Wassily Chair, we have taken inspiration from this iconic designs and innovative use of materials. In conclusion, we have created a foot stool that will accompany the already existing Wassily Club Chair. The stool can be stored underneath the chair when not in use – adding to house convenience and the use of living space. The stool is made from steel tubes and real leather – the exact same materials as the existing chair. The stool will come in a variety of colours to complement the existing chair; tan, black, white, grey and red. Not only have we taken inspiration from the existing chair, but we’ve also kept to its minimal style and simplistic form. Adding this home essential will ass more comfort into the domesticated home. This iconic series is known throughout the world of design and our intention was never to change the concept, but to develop the range further. The majority of Breuer’s products were mass produced even though its high end produced. This will be the case for our Wassily Stool.
Postmodernity and Postmodernism Our aim was to create a creative statement through a piece of art which made each individual in the rooms stop and think. The exhibition piece included a shirt design that was decorated in a variety of emoticon symbols sown on while a model would wear the shirt while also wearing duct tape over her mouth. The purpose of adding the duct tape was to show how we don’t use our own voice anymore to communicate. The intention was to show hoe, during the development of the postmodern era we currently live in has led us to become less verbal in how we communicate with each other. Instead, we tend to send an abbreviated text, GIFs or an emoji symbol to convey our current feelings in that moment. Sending a smiley face or a snake emoji can convey a message just as quickly as typing a whole message as we have lost patience and depend on short cuts. We have become so dependent on technology that we don’t appreciate everyday life. Instead, we struggle to live a day without our phones, tablets or the use of Wi-Fi. By now, the most unusual symbols have the most particular meanings, yet everyone understands the gist of it e.g. the flame emoticon doesn’t mean fire anymore; in this context it means that someone is particularly looking attractive. How *insert poo emoji* is that? However, no matter how cringe worthy the use of tacky emoji’s are in some people’s eyes, the message was both powerful and accurately believable. Our generation is becoming so uncultured and lazy. Is this the effects of postmodernism on society?