No Logo

Tidbits from the horrifying No Logo by Naomi Klein.

Why are artists poor?

Concerning the issue of graphic designers/illustrators/specialfx-ers/fine artists not being paid enough or sometimes not being paid at all.

I found a book called "why are artists poor?" by a fine artist and economist.
It mainly discusses what's going on in the fine art ecomony, but I think the same sentiment applies to anyone doing a creative profession.

Scans:

I don't really know how to take this, but it would seem that it's got as much to do with too many people trying to become artists as it does the wacky idea that artists don't need or want money for their work.

Does this fit under ethics....?

Un-Hate, or Unethical? A Brief look at how an ethical message has become unethical - Post by Samuel Kallagher

http://www.ethicsingraphicdesign.org/un-hate-or-unethical/ The website above is a great website to see some what recent ethical issues within design and this artical is very interesting as it explains how the online clothing brand "united colours of Benetton" campaign message of peace or "unhate" as they put it has caused mass controversy and is being branded unethical. Reading through the artical it makes a very valid point, is Benetton's using ethics/peace within their advertising campaign to try convince the world/target audience that they have a social/moral conscience and are not a brutal, penny pinching and child laboring clothing company?

The death of Print - A Infographic explanation - Post By Samuel Kallagher

http://columnfivemedia.com/work-items/get-satisfaction-infographic-the-death-of-print/ Sorry for the size of the image but if you follow the link above, this piece of infographic design gives a clear and highly detailed insight into the "death of print" but also shows how technology such as the ipad is being branded as the "print killer". The infographic piece also makes clear reference to the fact that the ethics of paper based design are becoming more and more over shadowed and regarded as a thing of the past by the rise of new technology and paperless media. Some very interesting facts and figures within this piece.

Obeys ethics questioned

http://www.art-for-a-change.com/Obey/ an article on shepaird faireys overuse of the pastiche questioning his ethics

A Graphic designers personal ethics discussion

http://www.davidairey.com/how-ethical-are-your-design-practices/ quite an interesting debate on personal ethics and lines drawn by society and ourselves “If I was financially secure, and if I felt strongly about it, no, I wouldn’t take the client. If I wasn’t busy and needed the money, I would think about it …within reason. “Regarding cigarettes, I don’t think the design of a cigarette pack encourages people to smoke. It only encourages people who already smoke to buy different cigarette brands. Over 50% of the front of cigarette packaging says this product will kill you. If someone doesn’t get that message, quite frankly, they are beyond help. “Alcohol causes much more problems than cigarettes, and I have designed lots of alcohol packaging. Where do you draw the line?”

Caught in the Crossfire: Artistic responses to conflict, peace and reconciliation exhibition

Caught in the Crossfire: Artistic responses to conflict, peace and reconciliation http://www.theherbert.org/index.php/home/whats-on/caught-in-the-crossfire1 an exhibition showcasing the work of such artists and designers as Terry Atkinson, Banksy, Barnbrook Design and many more "The exhibition takes us on a challenging journey from the home front to the frontline and back again, as seen through the eyes of artists, soldiers and people affected by conflict. Visitors will travel through divided lands, debate the role of protest art, explore the aesthetics of violence and machinery of war, and reflect upon the aftermath of war where hope emerges and lives are rebuilt. A section of the exhibition focuses on the work of kennardphillipps made in response to the invasion and occupation of Iraq." "Barnbrook's passion for working with Bowie–a musical hero only after the fact–is also crucial. "Only design for the artists you like" is a mantra that many might consider luxurious, but it's entirely imperative to producing effective work, and might be extended to "only work on solutions to problems you care about". Without that central commitment our work as designers is absent of meaning, and we're taking up valuable space on a team. In Barnbrook's work it's become a central tenet that connects his activism with his more commercial passions; a guiding ethos that is at once challenging to apply consistently and necessary in order to live and function as a designer in society."