If you’ve read through everything we post here, you’ll have noticed a trend - we don’t believe in mass produced, lowest cost. In a nut shell, we have always felt that this mentality, both from the POV of consumers and that of manufactures, is ultimately destructive and only paves the way for lesser quality and design input. The rag trade is a fine example of this and there’s a good reason you only paid $20 for that T-shirt. (more…)

“Unique combination of electronic entertainment device – the cult iPod touch – and a modern fridge freezer from Gorenje opens up new dimensions of living, fun, cuisine, and household tasks. Specially designed and developed Gorenje fridge features a docking station that enables charging the iPod, playing back music and video through built-in speakers, and connecting to the world-wide-web, if wireless connection is available in the kitchen. iPod has conquered the world, and new Gorenje appliances with interactive functions are conquering contemporary kitchens as they anticipate and set new trends.”

What a complete crock of horse crap.

As designers, we hang our heads in shame that someone related to our profession can either think up shite like this or be so dominated by a marketing department that they agree that it’s something worth doing.

Phewey.

A visit to Lab-Gear’s sewing shop on Friday yielded a very interesting conversation. We were asking about making some bags, courier style for the new line, as we knew that the shop had done a large variety of work in the past. On showing the sample we asked not only if they could do it but if they were interested. While the ability was there, the want to do it was not as more often it’s not worth the effort as people don’t want to pay what it costs citing ‘we can get it done off shore for a fraction of that’. When asked if they knew any places that could do work like that, the answer that came back was that they have all closed down over the past few years.

Why? The answer was solidly - ‘China’. (more…)

Fraud, plagiarised, copied, ripped off call it what you will. A Hong Kong based publisher has blatantly ripped of dozens of artists and online interviews and put together a book it’s selling for US$100.

Read more [here] and [here]

So true….

[via and here]

Everyone worldwide should be disgusted. Those who design products that are then made in China should know just what sort of government they are supporting. If they had doubts, they shouldn’t now.

Got to say though, China is bang on for timing. Bring on the Olympics…. or not.

This is interesting.

Spec work IS the bane of most professional designers and everyone that’s done it and not got the work has a story to tell…. more often along the lines of ‘…and then I saw the logo that was 50% or more of what I came up with…’

From the site:

“At the end of the day, there is a certain irony in spec work. A prospect requesting it is ultimately saying, “My project isn’t important enough to hire a professional who will take the time to understand my situation and goals and invest the time needed to create a suitable solution.” ”

Plenty of people would now rather not do spec work than waste their time and then be ripped off.

[check out more here]

“Why is it that everyone with Photoshop is a “designer”, everyone with a camera is a “photographer”, everyone who doodles is an “artist”, everyone with an acoustic guitar and Bob Marley tabs is a “musician” etc? These titles don’t mean anything anymore.”

So true.

[via]

Those who know me know that have little than less regard for the whole ‘made in China’ thing. Put simply. while I understand why Western companies go to the East to make stuff, I have little to no respect for the Chinese value system when it comes to business, IP and all that. Ya know, if you don’t have the ability to do it yourself, either go and learn or stop trying to do it.

Cases in point

One (from the Japan Times via Core77.com)

Two (onCore77.com)

While it might be amusing, it’s costing the West and more importantly impacting jobs all over the place.

If you don’t know, Sydney Water will give you some cash back if you buy a fandagled water saving washing machine. As we needed a new machine, we bought one of those front loader washer/dryer things that coincidentally comply with this scheme. Woohoo!

So, I do as Sydney Water says, fill out the paper work and include an invoice of purchase - the one that was given to me by the shop… in my name, with my address on the top. And off it goes.

Well, weeks later I get a letter from Sydney Water but instead of a lovely cheque for a hundred bucks or whatever, I get a letter saying no money for you…. we want the original invoice. Excuse me? That’s what I gave you. It’s even scribbled on by the shop. WTF?

I have no idea how much more original they want, maybe the non existent carbon paper would do? Bit hard considering everything comes out of a laser printer these days.

The saying goes ‘Beware of Greeks baring gifts’ (all that Trojan Horse stuff ya know). Maybe it should read, beware of government bodies offering to give you money….. you know it’s a crock.