This article written by Anna Kealey, an undergraduate who won an essay contest, writes about the truth behind the store and brand 'American Apparel.' Their trademark/promise to the nation is that everything they sell is sweat-shop free. They strive to be an "ethical and socially responsible company" (Kealey). However, they are also very problematic in other areas. For instance, there have been several sexual harassment cases filed against this company; usually workers imposing that the workplace in the stores are definitely way too sexualized, and therefore unprofessional as well. 'American Apparel' relies heavily on advertising with the common saying "sex sells." But perhaps this company does in fact overdo it. Their ads and marketing strategies are to have generally grainy and low rate amateur photographs of their models being very 'sexy.' They also like to use Asian or African-American models more than Caucasians, possibly suggesting that they are more submissive. All in all, the company says they are ethical and practical and socially responsible, but it all seems very mysterious.
- 'American Apparel' is not what it seems to be at first.
- Their motto is to be "an ethical and socially responsible company."
- Supposedly 'sweat-shop' free.
- Imagery overall is very sexual.
- Multiple sexual harassment cases have been filed against this company.
- There is strong irony in their supposed beliefs when their usage of the female body in pictures is clearly the opposite.
"Ethical Design Education - Confessions of a Sixties Idealist" - Susan S. Szenasy
Susan Szenasy writes of her view on the Design field and of her students. She holds a seminar class and her 28 students and her gather to talk and discuss the ethics of design. One part that interested me personally was when she mentioned a clocktower, but instead of a gigantic and old metal mechanism to power the clocktower, there was now a microchip in its place doing everything. Basically, everything that was there before in all its' clunky and inconvenient manner is now replaced by technology. A small simple-looking microchip has the power to replace and take over. She and her class watched a few films together as well, one named "A Story of Healing." Design truly is everywhere and in this film, it is in the battlefield as well. It was about surgeons and nurses trained in re constructive facial surgery that had traveled far to help children in need and along the way they all realized that they were not in i for the money or recognition, but rather in it solely because they enjoy their work and job and do not mind even doing it for free. This leads back to social responsibility, which does connect to design ethics. The teacher and writer goes on to talk about her ideal views on design, which is to rid the world of pollution and to reuse materials ant to not be wasteful.
- Susan S. Szenasy is an idealist who wants the world to be cleaner and 'more beautiful.'
- She believes that there should be more companies such as Ikea that reuse some materials to make new products like fleeces to use as warm blankets that are actually made from recycled soda bottles.
- Social responsibility is something that is connected to design ethics.
- Her class and her read several readings and watched different films showing design in various places that one might no think of when talking about design.
- She believes that "good design is responsible design."
"The Responsibilities of the Design Profession" - Herbert Spencer
This article talks about the timeline of Design and where it used to be and how it has changed over the years. Spencer talks about the history of design and states that as a profession, design is still fairly young. He also talks about how design is being taught in schools. He states in his article that "designers should in [the] future be educated and not merely trained" (Spencer). In general, Spencer goes in depth about different areas in the field of design and how designers have evolved.
- Design is generally still a young/fairly new profession.
- Design is everywhere. For example, something as simple as normal printed sheets of paper were designed.
- Education in design should truly educate designers and not just train.
- The role of a designer should be to also contribute to "the health and happiness of our society."
- The importance and effect design has on our society is growing constantly.
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"First Things First 1964/2000 - A Design Manifesto" -Various Authors
In "First Things First 1964," the many graphic designers, photographers, and students all signed under the short article. Overall, it announces that design is known to be everywhere, and most noticed in advertisements for everything, whether it be shampoo or a toy advertisement. Design is everywhere and the authors of the original article hope that one day the world will become tired of gimmicks to sell products and to request the service of the designers to show their 'true' power. In the newer '2000' article, it talks about the history of the first one written in 1964. It includes a short history on Ken Garland, one of the authors and contributors to the original article. This passage is basically about the history of the original manifesto, the story behind it, the time period it was written in, and everything else surrounding it.
- The original manifesto was written in the year 1964.
- The original was written when Britain was 'booming.'
- It was signed by 22 people.
- 400 copies of it was published in January 1964.
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