🌸Consumerism (WEEK 9)

This week, the second group is doing their presentation on Consumerism. Based on their presentation, the idea of consumerism is basically excessive buying of goods and services. Consumerism have its bright and dark side.

Positive and Negative

The good thing about consumerism is that it could help contribute to the economy because when you buy something it does not only benefit the seller but also the supplier and many more (like a chain reaction). However, it could also lead to materialism in society and causes the growth of waste. One of the example given is that branded brands would rather throw away out of date clothing rather to sell it at a lower price because they have to maintain their brand name.

It is said that 1920 is the year that consumerism rises. Given the example, Joslah Wedgwood influenced the idea of consumerism with his pottery. Besides, the technical advances have also advanced tremendously in aspect such as communication, transportation and manufacturing.

During the consumer era

1940

In 1940 the idea of consumerism really took of which causes an increased in office jobs and a demand in supply. One of the main reason it really took of is because politicians and business owners really push consumerism promising the people it will benefit them, but in reality majority of the time it benefit them more.

1970

In 1970 consumerism took a down fall causing wages to be decreased and also the people faces an energy crisis. This causes many of the people to protest and many riots broke out.

Overall, consumerism have a really huge impact in our life. In the long run, consumerism could give us all a better living because there are more services and products for us to choose. Besides, it also lead to more vacancy. Thus, lead to the growth of economy in a country.

However, this could also lead to an increase in crime rate since the standard of living is higher. People are also more money driven and they live a more stressful life. Moreover, it also disrupt the natural habitat.

During our class activity we were split into 2 groups. We are gonna talk about how designers utilized counsumerism to sell or promote a product in the past. We figured out a few strategy that they used in the past.

First, they usually write down the good points of the product on the advertisment.

Second, they usually have women in their advertisment (sex appeal).

Third, they also associates their advertisment with whatever that is trending at that time.

Fourth, tag line/ slogan/ jingles is also used widely in their advertisment.

Fifth, beauty products also target insecurities of women to sell their product.

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