Dan Blog #3

Team Fortress 2

http://www.tf2.com/

Team Fortress 2’s design plays a central role in the branding and communication of the marketplace by primarily establishing a visual style and character base that emotionally connects people to the game (product). These connections are reaffirmed by the key design trend of sensuctive ascertained in the first David Report reading. The characters’ designed personas give the brand a human element because of pre-established ideas consumers have of stereotyped personality traits. While the stereotyped traits can be fine line to walk the edginess plays into the design trend of, “breaking boundaries” http://www.tf2.com/movies.htm. Focusing edginess with the cartoon styles appeal to the target gaming demographic that often seek relatable characters and narrative that appeal to their lighter side. “"Everyone who's played a multiplayer action game-- especially a TF game--has experienced the moment of tension followed by mad laughter."” (http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3158959) Keeping the game up to date and taking suggestions from the community brings sustainability through innovative development that makes the player base feel as if they always matter to the brand.

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com

As a complete online shopping community Amazon’s design is an absolutely essential piece of its branding and communication in the marketplace. The primary design focus of Amazon is to keep customer experiences simple, fast and efficient. Creating the quick click-shopping cart fulfills many of the issues that costumers have with online shopping and improves the lives of anyone who needs products in a timely manner (http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_lnor_one?nodeId=468480). Faith Popcorn plainly states “…make it easy, make it relaxed, make it completely utilitarian. Make it Cheap and provide a service to go along side.” By simplifying purchases to online only, Amazon also influences environmental improvement by cutting down the use of automobiles and in many instances paper consumption. While environmentally conscious, Amazon also develops strong problem solving designs. They query users on the best ways to promote deals, suggest similar products based on databases of user information and tastes, and can utilize its own customers to review and critique anything sold on the site. “Design is hence all about satisfying needs, solving problems and attracting us towards new experiences,” and Amazon clearly understands this point and makes a case for being one of the most effective companies in its marketplace.

Mountain Dew

http://www.mountaindew.com/#/home

Mountain Dew’s design brands the company as hip and trendy while communicating with its target demographic about its influences on their social and cultural environment. One of the “Dew’s” most powerful associations is with pro sports specifically skateboarding. They establish themselves as a company who cares about youth and their future goals in the sport (http://www.mountaindew.com/#/sports/actionsports/amforce/index.php). The first David Report makes note that, “Really successful design always looks through the lens of humanity; life enriching products that speaks both to our hearts and our brains.” By supporting a youth movement Mountain Dew tugs on our emotions, we want to be associated with a socially driven company. If we drink the soda we also support the cause and our loyalty to a company for change grows. Mountain Dew’s promotional videos also create a authentic ritualistic connotation. They portray their target demographic in activities that are always enhanced by the product. http://www.mountaindew.com/#/video/

Mountain Dews promotional ads are mostly fluff but connect with their demographic and as long as they continue to influence the sports their market watches they will successfully be associated with it.