Crosses & Christmas

My children immediately asked why we don't see crosses at christmas, when I was explaining the wonder & meaning of Christmas; Christ's birth!

We have many iconic images at Christmas, many with both pagan & Christian meaning, but whose meaning is greatly forgotten by the masses.
Stars, angels (& fairies), presents, trees, sanitized nativity scenes (& some made from pork products...), tinsel, lights, bells, wreaths, bows, red & green, silver & gold...

They have a point too. If Christ had been born without dying to pay for our sins, then there would be no grace & forgiveness for us before a just God, & his birth would be pointless.

I challenge you to design some Christmas crosses. Feel free to send me pics to share (I'll acknowledge you unless you specify not to).

Lets remember the greatest gift this. Christmas!

New Blog Site... less formal

I have another, slightly broader blog at
http://cattsdesignthoughts.wordpress.com/
visit it to read regular (hopefully) write ups on designers I've interviewed; see my reviews of shows & exhibitions; and read quick thoughts on design related issues.
(It should also be easier to contact me or comment using the new blog)
This Blog will still function for more formal posts.

see you there...

In the light of Madiba's death, I challenge all designers (& everyone) to lie out his vision of Ubuntu in action.
Lets show that we can be other person centered & love each-other as ourselves.


(I've started a new blog, & will post the new address as soon as I get used to the new formats etc.)

Getting down to the Superficial

We live in a materialistic world where art & design exert great influence, but where the values of these professions often conflict with Christian ethics. As an Industrial designer, I was shocked that many of my colleagues were expected to design for obsolescence so that people would be forced to buy more. These problems are not however limited to one field of design. Clothing is only expected to last one season. Advertising bombards us everywhere, often with sexual or violent messages which distort our concept of the norm. Products and services promise to satisfy our deepest longings; those longings that only God can satisfy. How do we as designers and consumers respond? Many designers I know who are Christians or have a conscience leave the profession or at least leave the mainstream; turning instead to invention, crafts or teaching. But does this solve the problems? It is getting harder by the year as the norms change and desperation forces society to continue pushing the boundaries. As consumers, we cannot truly escape consumerism. If we flee from being designers, we just mute our voices. 

What are your thoughts, & what struggles have you encountered in your profession? 

Please forgive my silence

I've been unable to write due to very bad migraines. The neurologist has put me onto medication that seems to have stopped them, but one of the temporary side effects is that it makes it hard to write. He has assured me that it should clear up, so I hope to have another post up in early May.

Imitation: How close is too close? (Revised)

We've all heard the phrase "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", but sometimes it can be blatant theft and or deception, in other cases its straight forward practicality. Unfortunately the design world is plagued with many situations when these distinctions are decidedly less clear cut. I'd like to hear your views. 

Here are some examples:

Morn Flakes Box
This is a 'cereal box' from a set of groceries my youngest was given for Christmas. My first response was to chuckle, then I wondered about the ethics of it. But in this case the original is benefiting because my girls now eat corn flakes. I can only think its due to the subliminal exposure. Admittedly it does need to bare close resemblance to an actual cereal box because otherwise it would just be a box, and not Baba's breakfast. 

As I understand it, we need to obey the laws or the land and we need to make sure our motives aren't in line with immorality such as theft or swindling (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We have been washed and sanctified by the blood of Christ. We are called to be a holy as "God's special possession" (1 Peter 2:9-10) so that we can bring Him glory in gratitude for His mercy.

I think this example meets those standards, but its a tricky tight rope & there are many examples out there that are violating these standards. But what happens when you're asked to do a design that your conscience says is in some way "too close"? Is it enough to stay within the letter of the law by deviating from the original by 10% even if you know (or suspect) that it will be detrimental to the end user, client, original company etc.?