Shameless arrogant self promotion or a genuine heartfelt appeal?
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- yakismaki
Just before lunch today, a colleague of mine drew my attention to a t-shirt design created to raise funds for those affected by the terrible disaster in Japan.
you can see it here: http://www.jamescallahan.co.uk/#…
We are currently debating why we feel so uneasy about it. It’s certainly not that this will raise some cash for those who desperately need it but maybe that it’s being raised using a design inspired specifically by the disaster. Is this a shameless arrogant self promotion, disguised as genuine sensitivity or am I being hugely cynical?
- georgesIII0
Are you donating blood?
- yakismaki0
I guess I've had my question answered then
- georgesIII0
I'm sorry, I'm always a little bit too cynical,
blood giving was the first thing that popped in my mind when I saw the design, I got the flag of japan and everything but maybe it is the minimalist approach that didn't work with me,
You should maybe try to dirty it a little bit or make a ragged edged to the circle, something that gives the emphasis on fracture instead of blood.- it's not his designmonospaced
- this is not a critiquemonospaced
- yakismaki0
It's not something we've created just something stumbled across. It's not about blood donation at all. It's just something a designer did possibly as a bit of a piggy back on the disaster? I don't know, it's a sensitive debate
- I totally get that it may raise further funds, I'm just questioning the angle.yakismaki
- monospaced0
In my opinion, whenever design can do something like raise money for victims of a disaster it's a good thing. I still can't understand why this makes you uneasy. Of course the disaster is being used to raise money, to raise money for no other reason (with that design) would be unethical.
- Again. confirming my cynicism but thought it might be an interesting discussion.yakismaki
- you haven't really proposed a valid counter argumentmonospaced
- what's wrong with charitable fundraising?monospaced
- yakismaki0
@monospaced you are of course right. I'm climbing off my high horse now
- yakismaki0
In terms of designers/artists/illustrators raising money for relief, Mr. Bingo did this when proceeds from prints of his work went to Haiti. http://www.creativereview.co.uk/… This was work he already did, not created in inspiration of disaster. I don't know, maybe I just find it in bad taste.
- I am as ever, ready to be shot down of courseyakismaki
- I don't understand why you have a problem with design actually helping the world. We LIVE for this, no?monospaced
- I don't have a problem with design helping the world... oh god, I just wanted to share and discuss why it made me and my colleague react in this way. I am open for opinions and knowledge to be shared. I never said I was right.yakismaki
- Peter0
I can't see the pic on your site.
But hey, any help count. Overused motifs or not. It's not about the design anymore (which just might be a little doubtful for a designer to admit). Perhaps to settle things with yourself you compare it to buying, say, a shell with a painted on face by a poverty-struck kid. Nothing you place on the mantle but the kid will appreciate your purchase none the less.
I slapped something together like it an hour ago for a Japanese company that asked me to volunteer. It was extremely corny but if it works it works.
- kingsteven0
I get you Yaki, of course now is not the time to bring it up RE: Japan... and that screenprint is not the worst example I've seen.
Andreasm's comment in this thread (on Haiti relief) is spot on...
http://www.qbn.com/topics/622612…
- jamble0
I think the worst part of it is that people should need to feel rewarded by purchasing something as a way of donating money.
I don't think the designer is particularly an issue, more that people need to be convinced to donate.
Either give money or don't. Don't expect a reward for it. That's what the problem is for me.
- monospaced0
Look, buying the shirt and having the proceeds go to the fund, that's great. But, the shirt is a walking advertisement for the website which is just a way to give money again. The design is iconic enough to get the point across to anyone who sees it on the street. Promoting a charity fund still makes you uneasy? I don't follow your logic.
- see the comment that kingsteven is talking about and you'll see the angle I'm getting at.yakismaki
- I never said promoting a charity fund made me feel uneasyyakismaki
- you said exactly thatmonospaced
- yakismaki0
@kingsteven thanks, nicely put. If only I wasn't so crap at articulating my emotional responses to things. And now certain people feel I have a problem with dontation, design helping the world... ah jeez.
- I'm sorry, I read Andreasm's comment on the Haiti thing and I disagree 100%.monospaced
- ok then.yakismaki
- I just don't understand. I wear a band tshirt to tell people I like the band. I wear a fund tshirt to spread a message. All good.monospaced
- gotcha. After all it was a debate to get others views on the subject. Thanks for your comments.yakismaki
- nice way of telling me to shut the fuck up...monospaced
- you can look at it how you want but I am genuinely interested in both sides of the argument.yakismaki
- by your own logic you wear the fund t-shirt to tell people you support the fund. it makes you warm twice.kingsteven
- i'm not slagging, it's human nature.kingsteven
- utopian0
Is everyone jumping on the bandwagon to help Japan by pawning their work?
- monospaced0
So, quick question. If a major band (like U2) were to have a huge concert to raise funds for the disaster in Japan, would that also make you feel uneasy? It's not that different, really.
- We all know that Bono walks on water.utopian
- Not uneasy but certainly angry because they would be gaining something and that is where it feels just that little bit wrong.yakismaki
- he could just donate some of his millions I don't know. anonymously maybeyakismaki
- U2 are using their fame to promote the cause, not their musickingsteven
- Totally, and that designer is using the design to promote the fund, not themselvesmonospaced
- yes, but they're simultaneously promoting themselves through the disaster.kingsteven
- bumdrizzle0
it is at least 90% cynical self-promotion with these t-shirt and poster designers.
and 100% with that cunt bono.
- lukus_W20
It's just a bit tacky.
- pressplay0
When a desaster happens, the nameless designer just feels the uncontrollable urge to design, promote and sell a tshirt. It‘s just a natural reaction of the inconsiderate cynical being that he is. We have seen him coming out of his hole when the earthquake in haiti happned, we will see him now putting up websites to sell his prints (possible motif: hands reaching out for help out of a wave, a red circle in the background, maybe some müller-brockmann style in there or saul bass but in every case including some stereotypes about Japan). Yor favourite blog will keep you informed.
- mrghost0
a BAND-AID ???? what the fuck...
I think that the design insults the people of japan and the horror that they have witnessed. It will certainly take much more than a bandage to rebuild the country. The cartoon band-aid is just as ignorant as the pearl harbor comments. The severity of the trauma and the number of deaths cannot even be counted yet.
this is not acceptable.
- <<<randommail
- yep, the underlying concept that the japaneese flag looks like blood-on-gauss is offensive in itselfkingsteven
- http://www? What decade is this?i_monk
