The Digital Age

This blog has discussed modernism, post modernism, the document, media, art and advertising among other things; however they have all been studied in relation to ‘traditional’ mediums. Traditional here is used in the sense that it is not a design of the digital era.

We are at the dawn of perhaps the biggest revolution in history that is already changing not just the way we communicate, but the way we live, work and think. It is critical to recognise this change in relation to design otherwise we risk losing out to the fast changing world.

The BBC is currently running a season called ‘Superpower’, asking the question ‘is the internet the most powerful thing the world has ever seen?’ A simple answer would be no. At a first glance, one would analyse the internet alongside other forms of media and simply as another new thing in society. On closer inspection however, it is hard to think of something that comes even close to the power of the internet.

For the very first time in history, anybody can publish anything, to anyone, anywhere. And most incredibly, it can be done within seconds. There are some who have yet to acknowledge this, but the sooner they do, the better. Humans can embrace the internet to pursue whatever goal they want in life, but equally it can be used for bad.

It is changing the way we live. We are connected twenty four hours a day. When we are not at home on the computer, we are carrying mobile internet around with us on our phones. When this is related to design, this gives designers incredible power to try new concepts. Designers are already working on many new ideas in this area. One example is Google’s Street View, where companies are able to pay for virtual advertising space on billboards on street view. In real terms, this literally doubles the amount of physical advertising space in the world. Another concept being tested is demand-driven adverts; billboards that via a camera using technology similar to face recognition can see the brand on the bag one is carrying, and display an advert for that retailer.

It is changing the way we work. Many teachers and lecturers still advocate libraries as the best place to research, whereas those of the younger generations turn to the internet before any other method. How does one reach a balance; if there is one at all? We are also not commuting to workplaces as much as we once were. The internet has opened up ebusiness, where one can host online meetings and conferences while each person works from home. It is increasingly the case that an employee will only have to visit the office once a week, if ever.

It is also changing the way we think. Younger generations no longer associate themselves with their county, but with the network they are part of on Facebook. They no longer associate themselves with their country, but the online community they are part of, such as YouTube. Friends have been redefined; ‘friends’ means the number of connections you have- even if it is to total strangers because no-one truly has thousands of friends. Our concentration spans have shortened too. We do not think linearly anymore, but associatively. Surfing the web using hyperlinks hopping around information is a completely different way of learning to reading a book from cover to cover, working through chapters.

Upcoming designers cannot afford to miss out on this revolution. They must embrace these changes in society in order to allow their designs to be understood by society. The critical thing about the internet is that it is not just another form of communication; it is something that is changing our very humanity.

Banksy: Image Analysis

This Banksy classic conveys a strong political point regarding to the Palestine Wall.

The initial reaction is thought-provoking and evokes the feeling of anger. Banksy has cleverly used faith, an issue personal to many, as a political tool. The use of Mary & Joseph drives the issue home to the western world, where the large majority of people are Christian (or at least are ‘culturally Christian’).

It is interesting how there is a metaphorical juxtaposition in that Mary & Joseph, and by extension Christianity, represents things like peace and love, where as the wall is a product of hate and division. In this image, the wall prevents the good intentions from being carried out. It therefore motivates the viewer to act on the issue, even though there is no stated intention to do this on the image itself; it speaks for itself.

There is also a visual juxtaposition between the old/traditional and new/modern. A very traditional picture-perfect scene is depicted in oil paints, yet this has been purposely vandalised by a modern monstrosity cutting through the image. There is the use of modern English as graffiti on the wall, as well as strong geometric shapes coloured shades of grey. The construction of the image is a complete reflection upon society.

In many ways, the picture is realistic and depicts an event that many believe occurred. In other ways however, the image represents the negation of humanity that the barrier represents. One would assume that ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ as the star is on that side, however the reality is that life is not particularly better on that side- and in fact if one is to study the nativity, life is certainly worse in Bethlehem. It is therefore intriguing that the image provokes feelings of anger and the urge to tear the wall down in order to create peace, despite the reality being somewhat different to what we want to believe. The image makes us believe what we want to believe, rather than what is true.

One may read into the position of the Shepherd in the image too, and question why he is there when the wise men are not. Banksy is attempting to make a further political point, demonstrating that it always has been, and always will be, the poorest and most disadvantaged in society that suffer from the evil in the world. It could be assumed that the wise men had ‘arrangements’ to get through the barrier, just as those in positions of importance today have.
It is indeed a powerful image that the majority of people can relate to in various ways. It seems that this painting is the peak of Banksy’s series of works relating to the Palestine Wall, and he has created an incredibly successful piece of work here to summarise his feelings.