Doing the reading this week, the thing that struck me right away was that one, change is inevitable, and two, history repeats itself.
Ch-ch-ch-changes...As each new technological advance comes along, something is gained, but something is lost. As printing became more mechanized and faster, the artists and designers lost their hold on the process. As soon as one type of printing process became dominant, and new businesses were formed to perform that process, the next innovation came along, and left those businesses scrambling to keep up.
Two examples from this century are both related to advent of personal computers. First, the technology is changing so fast, that as soon as you buy some new technology, it's obsolete in months. It's hard, and expensive, to keep up. But he who does, gets a jump on everyone else. Second, with the availability of software like PRINT SHOP and the ADOBE Design packages, everyone with a computer, at home or at work, has the ability to be their own pseudo-graphic designer. Now, this doesn't make necessarily make them any good at it, but it does bite into some of the work that would have formerly gone to a graphic designer. The printing industry has definitely felt the effects of this. I have a friend who has worked in printing for many years, and he has gone from job to job, as each small company he works for has folded. They of course still have the big jobs from big companies, but the smaller jobs are fewer and farther between. My sister-in-law is a graphic designer and she says that even though people can do a lot for themselves on a small scale and for personal use, that companies, even small ones, need a designer who knows what they need and can provide an entire package for them.
What goes around, comes around...Styles and fashions swing like a pendulum. Eventually what was popular will come back in style again. After the industrial revolution ran roughshod over art for art's sake, or beauty for beauty's sake, the Arts and Crafts Movement was formed and art and beauty became important again. The same thing has happened in my lifetime.
Okay, I wasn't around in the 50s, but from what I remember, all the new technology, like washing machines and dryers, and other innovations that made housework much easier were all the rage. TV dinners, in little metal trays, kids, not the pretty plastic ones they have now (although I think they still taste the same) made it easy to just put them from the freezer, to the oven to the table. No muss, no fuss. TV trays so everyone could eat while watching television.
These conveniences continued to grow through the following decades. But in the last decade or so, we've seen a reaction to all that pre-made, store-bought life. The reaction has a name, and it's name is Martha Stewart. Martha, and all those like her, have thrived as we yearn to go back to those days when things were handmade, homemade and lovingly crafted by our own two hands. Just look at the proliferation of television channels dedicated to food and cooking, home improvement and the like. The pendulum has swung back. And that's a good thing.
But what else is good is that as you don't lose the new technology or improvements along the way. Everything old is new again.
And just as an aside, as I read and recognize names that have stayed with me...I'm dating myself here, but when I was in elementary school, every year we would get a new box of crayons and a new set of Prang watercolors.
Aside #2 - noticing some of the posters or handbills that would have a lot of small print...back in the day I guess people would take the time to read all that...but we live in the world of the "sound bite" or the "news item"...short little bits of information that we can read quickly and move on...I don't know if many would take the time to read those now.
