Opinion maker: Wayne Stuart on Liverpool's sense of identity
I AM constantly being asked the question: "How will the Capital of Culture affect you?"
And each time I reply with the same answer: "It'll be great for me personally and for business."
Or will it? After reading a recent article, I may now have to rethink my answer.
Emily Pacey's excellent piece in Design Week, in January, in which she claims it's "a missed opportunity", bemoaning that the programme offers just one large-scale design event, opened up a whole new can of worms.
The Design Show Liver-pool should be a chance for Liverpool's great creative minds to show the world just what we're capable of, but after viewing the website and trawling through the categ-ories I'm confused. Call me old-fashioned, but when I combine the words Creative and Design, I can't help thinking of our industry and spouting names such as Trevor Beattie, Neville Brody and Alan Fletcher.
However, this is just part of an ongoing trend quite literally shoehorning all aspects of design into "our" industry. It's become quite insidious.
Even Design Week and Creative Review - once our industry bibles - are doing it. Flick through these once cutting edge publications and you're bombarded with Swedish sofas, the latest anglepoise lamp or the layout of a Soho wine bar.
It's even crept into our very own industry awards - the Roses Awards have a whole section for archi-tects and interior designers. Don't get me wrong, I love architecture, but these guys have their own awards bashes. Are we losing our sense of identity?
Isn't it time Liverpool City Council stepped up to the plate?
What about hosting our own awards for the city's up- and-coming talent.
WAYNE STUART is senior designer at Liverpool advertising, events and web design agency Clarity Creation.
Older/Newer
« Design Week honour for toilet cubicle firm | Medicash lines up Liquid for marketing duties »
1 Comments
Leave a comment
Blog Authors
Alistair Houghton
LDP Business reporter Alistair Houghton brings you the latest news and views from the creative sector in Merseyside. Get in touch if you've got a story you want to tell
My postings
Truth is Wayne, your industry and work has been far from creative for many years. Commercial offline design is the last field where the less intelligent kids who were good at colouring in in school can find gainful employment. Really Wayne, ask yourself, what was the last TRULY ORIGINAL non-derivative piece of commercial design you did was. Your LIPA stuff? LOL! "I AM constantly being asked the question: "How will the Capital of Culture affect you?"" You are lucky to have a job son, never mind be in a position to comment on anyone elses endevours.