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Experiments in design and trend don't tend to last very long. The world of imagery and symbology is continually shifting in time to the swaying of the Christmas tree, year after year new iconic motifs and design elements sneak their way past our initial shut off switch and begin making an impression on our habits. We gravitate towards the things that speak to us, via the previous experience that it reminds us of, in some round about way.
So it can be argued that the majority of design elements end up in the recycling bin, as new magazines and packagings are released, the old are disposed of in environmentally friendly ways and soon forgotten. For some, this is a travesty and the collating and preservation of historical design becomes a mission in the name of culture. West Michigan has played host to several artistic design innovations in its time, thanks to the thriving university campus which proudly holds many related subjects in its prospectus. The next generation in initiative rich design is perhaps the Graphic Design Archives of West Michigan, an online museum dedicated to the preservation of the ideas and themes represented over time. Although the digital realm doesn't provide the touch and feel element of real exhibitions, art isn't one we can usually touch anyway, so as a resource for information it stands on equal terms to a roofed hall. Perhaps being in the presence of the greats has an allure of its own, but considering the nature of the image in question, it can be assumed the originals don't hold the same quality as a Leonardo or a Picasso. The way businesses utilise imagery can be seen in the packaging and advertising used, the icons and emotive quality behind them tell stories about the products which relate to the people they are targeted at. By looking through archives of things like this, we can glean ideas and concepts as well as find out exactly what people are already thinking when it comes to what we want to market. |
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