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Interesting post on the Elsewares blog about a company called Mobi working with Todd Oldham on some snappy-looking sandwich bags:
The problem is that this product has nothing at all to do with design. It’s just packaging (which, like all packaging, ends up in the trash). I’m climbing up on my soapbox here, but I don’t think design is about making things look different with shapes and color, but about creating innovative solutions. Even if these bags were made of recycled plastic (they’re not), aren’t they just non-biodegradable garbage waiting to happen?
The company itself replied to his post, saying that it is shifting “biodegradable plastic” in the near future, and insisting that these bags are “recyclable.” Elsewares likes the biodegradable plastic news, but checked into whether plastic sandwich bags can be easily recycled, and found mixed answers.
My own take on this is that I remain suspicious of things like snappy-looking sandwich bags. When will the general strategy of adding “good design” to mundane objects run its course? I guess when it stops being such an easy way to jack up margins. Which hasn’t happened yet.
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Reader Comments
It’s kinda laughable that Mobi defends Oldham by calling him “environmentally aware.” Not “friendly” or “sensitive” — just “aware.” Well, who isn’t? And the reusability claim is lame. It reminds me of a Home Depot story I just saw a few days ago. Home Depot highlights green products in their store and as a result, a lot of manufacturers pitch them products to be included. As an example of how ridiculous this can get, they get pitches from wooden paintbrush makers who claim their product is green because it’s made of natural wood — and they get pitches from plastic paintbrush makers who claim their product is green because no trees are destroyed to make the brushes.
And even if newer Mobi bags will be made of biodegradable plastic, this is not design. It’s decoration.
When will the general strategy of adding “good design” to mundane objects run its course?
Never. Why would it run its course? Why not make mundane objects better looking? Should all paper plates, napkins and cups be white? Adding a bit of graphic design to these things makes them more appealing. And if somebody is willing to pay more for something with a bit of design on it (even something “mundane” as you call it,) more power to the marketer. Maybe the customer gets more “value” from a sandwich bag that looks different from the rest.
And in regards to the comment on the Elsawares blog: “I don’t think design is about making things look different with shapes and color, but about creating innovative solutions. ” I think design is indeed, amongst other things, “…about making things look different with shapes and color…”
Irene: I agree about the “aware” thing. I gather that the recent Al Gore eco-concert thing was all about “awareness,” and I thought that was odd. Who isn’t aware? I’ve pondered writing something along the lines of “awareness” is the new “indifference.”
James: Yes, okay. That’s a point of view I’m very, very familiar with. Maybe you’re right. Then again, maybe you’re not.
Ummmm. I buy those Mobi bags at Balducci’s. I currently have the camo style in my kitchen drawer. I’ve run through a box of heart printed ones too. They’re good for carrying pot, tampons, makeup and crackers. But of course I’d buy them. You know me. Sucker for kyewt! (shrug of shoulders / guilt for semi-enjoying paying more for stupid things).
And you know, this bit by elsewares:
“Why not create a different, better way to carry a sandwich or store your Q-tips? IMHO, that’s where design-thinking should start, looking for a solution that’s not just different, but better.”
…kind of annoys me. It’s a gross combo of meek and holier-than-thou. You want to carry your snax in a cloth napkin and have crumbs all over the bottom of your purse, knock yaself out. I need a damn baggie. Why not this, why not that.
Plastic bags and the environment? Yeah well, that’s a whole other story. “awareness is the new indifference.” Oh Rob how true, my friend. Sad. Make like an old Chinese lady and reuse those baggies until they’re riddled with holes!
On another note, a big problem I have with the aptly named “Tyranny of Good Design” is that orange coupled with shades of icy or turq blue, with a dash of retro brown (as witnessed on the Oldham baggies) seems, in the mind of marketers AND designers, to equal “good design”. Why? Why?!
Agree, Minya, with your final point. Today’s “good design” is your children’s kitsch. Take it to the bank…
I wonder if these exact same designs would have the same profit margins without the name Todd Oldham attached. But what do I know? My baggies are all old school plain. They’re like 501s.