Blog 2

· How has consumer behavior shifted in the past, and will shift because of this recession?

Now, consumers shop with themselves in mind. Instead of buying a product to represent the thing itself, they want the product to represent them. Everyone wants customization at an affordable price. Even restaurants like Chipotle have adapted to the needs of the consumer. They have implemented customization into a burrito. Now anyone can send in their favorite choices, and the winner has their creation posted in every Chipotle. People want to be recognized for who they are by what the buy. Not identify themselves with a product. The recession has forced consumers to think cheap, and it will continue to do so. People spend much less than they used to. This will cause good design to become more affordable and therefore everyone will have access to things deemed for the wealthy.

· How does design develop brand truth?

Brand truth resonates from the design of the company, product, etc. Everything must have continuity. This will create a similar affect every time the brand is visited by the consumer, thus instilling brand truth into the minds of the consumers.

· Is there a difference between producing happiness and producing brand loyalty?

Absolutely, producing happiness comes way before brand loyalty. Customers will not buy into something if it does not satisfy them. In class Asterisk was talking about Sonic the hedgehog and why they failed as a videogame. The problem was not the quality of the game itself, it was with the loyalty of the consumer. People lost faith in Sonic the hedgehog even though it did produce happinness. There are still some fans that will buy a game just because it has sonic, but they overextended the brand way too fast. Nintendo's famous hero, Mario, almost had the same problem. They continually reinvent the character, however it is not Nintendo's only choice as far as gaming goes. It has become a fallback, not a leader. Thus, furthering their brand loyalty.


I personally envision the future being a totally customizable world. Brands are already allowing customization but their brand's identity is still their own, not the consumers'. In the future people will break free of brand names and labels. All of the customization from different companies is out there, but their products are still stamped with a name and a logo. Starbucks, Nike, Chipotle, Scion, etc., all offer customization and have made a lot of progress with the consumer in mind, but what is next? An entire living space made by you for you? No logos or advertisements pushing us to believe on thing or the other? I wish. However companies now advertise after our hearts. It must be only a matter of time before people realize that every commercial is a scam.