Popular Icons

While words or objects can mean different things in different context a description of cultural studies does just that. To some it is simply learning and understanding diverse ethnical communities and their behaviors. Although this is logical cultural studies is interpreted as academic research on society as a whole, examining the influences that media has on consumers. While being bamboozled by hundreds to thousands of advertisements a day we give up our individual identities, generating a specific standard of social collaboration. As the main factor in attracting an audience, manipulation and understanding the consumers desires within a design must be integrated as a complete package. Although publicity of Hollywood stars, brand names, and new trends have a large impact on society the design aspect of how to advertise is essential to marketing products. To have a greater impact on the viewer, creativity and innovation are essential to advertising encompassing a majority of consumers rather than targeting a small cliental. Because fame and perfection is admired in our society the generalizations that one must imitate a celebrity’s ideal life style creates an open door for product design through celebrities. For instance, Jessica Simpson is scene in all pro-active advertisements increasing sales. Because her image is everywhere and many can identify with her by also having acne, we fall into the manipulation and deception of the product. Since Simpson is the representative for pro-active uses her image within marketing to trap consumers into buying the product before trying or finding out details about it.
By using multiple design strategies through media to target groups rather than individuals, manufactures have discovered was to produce images that numerous individuals can measure up to. While using popular culture icons such as Hannah Montana and The Jonahs Brothers, close to all children can create a secret identity and admiring these stars. By generating popular icons into design the manufactures and producers target the society into consuming lunch boxes, clothing, and many other material objects. When the media presents trends in fashion, glamour, and popularity we view it as if we could be on top of the world if we fallow all the trends. But in reality of consumer products it’s about manipulating the viewer and creating stimulating designs of famous icons to capture the attention of our culture.

Pop Art

While media took over traditional art and its beauty artist embraced the change creating a new style of design. Around 1955 during the post war in England artist started a new movement, known as Pop Art. Artist such as Richard Hamilton created collages consisting of only mass-produced imagery. Media such as popular icons, specific brands, and house held appliances were mounted together creating an over all combined efficient. Because art tends to echo the period contained by its style the modern mass culture of advertising is portrayed within Pop Art.

By using widely known imagery the viewer becomes personally connected with the collage. Techniques of using what society is socially aware of set the emotional tone for how Pop Art is portrayed. By using images such as a tootsie pop, canned ham, and popular shows Hamilton draws in the viewer by means of understanding modern comforts. Although each individual element is of a different media image, the placement of how they are laid out generates a successful design. Because Pop Art was directly connected to society media elements, Hamilton was able to produce real world imagery through his collages.


Image and other information provided by :

Eighteenth to Twenty- First Century Art. 3rd ed. Vol. 6. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, 2009. Print. Pg 1151