Elliott's Blog Post #2

· How has consumer behavior shifted in the past, and will it shift because of this recession?
I believe that consumer behavior usually changes when new products and new technologies are created. Personal CD players used to be the item to own in order to listen to music on the go. As soon as mp3 players like the iPod were invented, consumers ditched their CD players and jumped on the mp3 player band wagon. We as consumers always want to be up to date with the current trends and the newest technology.
Consumer behavior will probably not change during the recession if no new devices or gadgets are being produced. However, if a new method of listening to music is created that is better than the iPod, then consumers will doubtlessly follow the new trend regardless of whether they are in a recession or not.


· How does design develop brand truth?
Every aspect of design is trying to support the brand and develop brand truth. Take Quiksilver for example, they describe themselves as a company that "produces and distributes clothing, accessories and related products for young-minded people and develops brands that represent a casual lifestyle driven from a boardriding heritage." The design of their website (http://surf.quiksilver.com/index.aspx) reflects this feeling and helps give the brand some truth. They are more believable as a brand with their surfer imagery and hand written typography than if their designs were say grayscale with small typography and fewer images.


· Is there a difference between producing happiness and producing brand loyalty?
I think so. To me producing happiness is very short term whereas creating brand loyalty is more long term. You can create a good advertising campaign that will win over customers and they may buy your product and experience "happiness", but as a company you must be able to deliver in the long term and keep your customers satisfied. Creating a brand that customers become loyal to is more important than producing short bursts of "happiness" for your customers that eventually wear off.