thecorporation.com
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- Jeermid
I just watched this documentary and I'm compelled to ask fellow graphic designers and artists at what time, if any, do we actually consider or question the effect our work is having on this world? Do we question the moral intent of our client and their product? Do we continue helping corporations sell their message to the world regardless if that message deceptive or masks hidden agendas. Do we have a social or moral duty to tell the truth or at least refuse to lie? Are we, as visual communicators, just feeding an ignorant corporate machine simply to pay the bills and line our portfolios? Do we have a choice? Can we afford to be selective in the work we do? What are your thoughts? Thank you
- jamble0
I've not really had the chance to turn down a client on the grounds that what they do is immoral or objectionable. I just don't seem to attract those types of client yet.
- Jeermid0
I worked on packaging design for tobacco company when I was fresh out of college at 19. I needed the job and money and Im a complete anti smoker... It bothered me. I did it anyway... but looking back now I wish I had refused to work on it...
- elektromuzak0
me too. i won't ever do work for coke (they supported nazi germany back in the day--read about why they invented fanta) or IBM (they supported hitler and ibm machines were used in concentration camps to automate persecution of the jews... check out www.ibmandtheholocaust.com. i won't design for starbucks, nike, or other bad corporations either. and i try to be sustainable by printing on fsc & recycled paper with soy-based inks, and encourage clients to do the same, and recommend good local green printers. i like to donate a portion of profits to charities, like kiva.org. microcredit basically rules. i keep up with current events, and try to spread awareness. when working on personal design projects, i like to inject some politics into things and voice things that people need to know about the world. we all have social responsibility as designers. it's not just a world of getting paid for making beautiful shit, or making shit beautiful. it's designism, or the design revolution, or whatever the hell you want to call it. i call it just doing the right thing.
- I like your style my friend
Jeermid - Totally Inspiring! Thnaks!frannyc28
- What you talk about is all mentioned in the movie... IBM supplying all those coding machines to the NazisJeermid
- not monday morning QB'ing here or anything... :)... but do you think coke & ibm...PonyBoy
- ... knowing what they know about Hitler now... would still work with him?PonyBoy
- If that's the case... no BMW's then... and there is PLENTY MORE that came from the Nazi's (inventions etc)...PonyBoy
- ... that we should also avoid. :)PonyBoy
- Where do you draw the line? Why hold companies of today responsible for what happened 60 years ago?PonyBoy
- I like your style my friend
- frannyc280
Ouch... Can we? I have asked to my self this questions 1000 times. A couple of years a go a friend of mine came to my apartment and found over the table my membership card of PeTA. He looked at it and asked me: How can you? I was totally lost. Then he asked me: Don't you work for L'Oreal on 3 brands developing all kind of crap for them? so how come you are a member of PeTA but your work for a corporation that test on animals. I still try to answer that question to my self. I guess it depends. If you have other clients (when you are a freelancer as I am) that can pay as much as the French company does and you can support yourself with those clients you can always say NO. I found a way to AT LEAST kill the guilty feeling... I donate 10% of my earnings coming from the company to PeTA.. but I still feel like sh*t about it... I work for the Fashion Industry and I face this dilemma every day. I have said NO to work on any collection that promotes FUR. I have turned my back to Tobacco companies... Yet again I think the FDA is poisoning us approving all kinds of weird medicine just because lobbyist are very good at throwing money at them... and consume mostly Homeopathic Meds BUT another of my clients is a LAB..... THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO TO SLEEP NOW! LOL I don't know I think to work in this industry sometimes you need to be able to bend your own rules... One funny tidabit... most of all those companies that have hidden agendas, have the new tool for Hypocrites: CSR (Corporate Social Responsibilities) just go ahead and ask British Petroleum if CSR does exist indeed! LOL! To be honest... now I'n Torn
- molo0
it's true as fontophiles you're all soft facists...admit it
- MindFuse0
hugo boss was a nazi supporter, too.
and i'm sure sam walton was involved somehow. :)
- Jeermid0
Imagine a global design community effort to visualise only the truth through our work.... what client would be left standing... very few I think
- Close to NONE I think.frannyc28
- might be small, but it could grow from there.akrokdesign
- What can we do to make changeJeermid
- frannyc280
By the way.. WHAT DOCUMENTARY DID YOU WATCH!
- Jeermid0
Entire Documentary is on youtube in 23 chapters http://www.youtube.com/profile_v…
- elektromuzak0
people often forget that we vote with our dollar... as long as you're still buying your grande frappuccino or those nike kicks, you're keeping these big guys in control.
- how about, spend them wisely instead.akrokdesign
- That's why I do not go to Starbucks. I support the coffee shop around the corner which has better coffee, not OVERPRICED and better people working. And I do not use Nike...frannyc28
- elektromuzak0
read more about designism at http://www.core77.com/blog/event…
- they drinking bottle water...hm, how about some social change there. drink tap, its ok.akrokdesign
- haha nice observationelektromuzak
- where's the damn brita filter up in herrr?elektromuzak
- elektromuzak0
just how microcredit works for the poor, design can work for the poor. here's a great article from the NY Times (i generally don't read their shit but this was a good read)-- Design that solves problems for the world's poor: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/2…
- Jeermid0
Is there a graphic organisation out there to support graphic artists in their pursuit of designing morally and socially honest and positive work? Tell me if there is... cause I need some good advice on this one. Any well known agencies who have adopted good policy regarding moralistically sound work?
- akrokdesign0
there is lohas companies.
- Jeermid0
SO guys ... what can humble wee designers like us really do to make a change.... all cliches and blame aside... any real solutions or observations...
- VectorMasked0
elektromuzak
"me too. i won't ever do work for coke (they supported nazi germany back in the day--read about why they invented fanta) or IBM (they supported hitler and ibm machines were used in concentration camps to automate persecution of the jews..."
Wouldn't that be a bit like saying we shouldn't not like german kids or the new generations of germans coz of what their ancestors or whatever did wrong? Should we allow the past and the errors of idiots to affect the present and the people of the present?
I however agree with pretty much everything you said.
- elektromuzak0
neither coke or ibm or ford motors have ever admitted fault for their support of nazi germany, nor have they publicly apologized for their past actions. furthermore, their business practice is still just as corrupt, (if not more than before) but now they have the watchful eye of the media, and UN, although we still have a problem with child labor, and slavery in 3rd world countries where these same companies are manufacturing their products. i may have mentioned their nazi support, but that is not the sole reason why i will not design for them.
- elektromuzak0
It has nothing to do with germany, or the people of germany, but the supporters of the nazi fascist regime.
- like the swiss bank that carries the nazi gold.akrokdesign