CARTOON AS HIGH DESIGN??
Sometimes I’m confused about what exactly makes certain brand images work. For instance, why is The Hundreds such a kewl brand? Their incorporation of cartoon as high design is part of a larger trend that attempts to establish cartoony imagery as a legitimate part of the fashion/fine art industry. Is this just a fad based on nostalgia, similar to wearing “ironic” tees and baseball caps from sports teams we liked as kids (see: Charlotte Hornets, Dream Team, etc) or does the cartoon-as-high-design movement have more serious goals of establishing itself as a “Neo-Baroque” post-minimalist design genre?
Marc Jacobs and his dog are on board.
So far, the cartoon design movement has been largely confined to street culture. Urban beacons like Bape, Pharell, The Hundreds and Kaws have fully embraced the style. Spongebob seems to be the movement’s mascot.
Kaws: pop art out of control?
Only for 5 year olds?
Are we 20 somethings trying to remember our youth as we adjust to post-college stress?
Is this the neo-ornamental?
Are we just looking for an easy way to incorporate bright colors and fun into our personal styles?
Are we sick of white / minimalism / Apple / American Apparel?
Are people interested in having “brand superheroes”?
Is Hannah Montana also cool?
These are the questions we need to ask ourselves when deciding whether or not to support the cartoon as high design trend.
3 years ago • 2 notes
