Branding the Individual

After reading about the effects and purpose of design, I was able to understand myself better and how/why I select the things I buy. Consumerism is a two-sided argument; one celebrates it and encourages the individual's exploration of his/her identity while the other side thinks it is merely "a process which strips away individuality." The consumer is usually driven and evoked by a feeling of longing towards an object. I find that the viewpoint which goes against consumerism is sound, however it is also understandable of how consumerism can An interesting point made in this article about material goods is that they carry social meanings. This is absolutely true, and must be considered by designers of these goods.