If Looks Could Kill - Graphic Art & Design

I began with an iPhone 3G, which had slowed to a crawl. I figured it was AT&T’s network and decided to abandon ship for Sprint’s larger and faster 4G network. The Samsung Epic really tickled my fancy, because it had a beautiful display and I already <3 their TV’s.

The Sprint Store had *2* employees working on the day of the Epic release. There were others, but they hid in the back, coming out only to leave. No greeter, no sign-in, no semblance of order. Ppl who had been waiting longer were wandering the store, leaving it up to the other customers to keep track of who’s next.

After sitting in the chaotic Sprint store for an hour, I dislike them even more than when I last left them several years ago. After an hour’s wait, shortened by other customers leaving in disgust before they were helped, I get up to the counter to get my reserved Samsung Epic. Everything’s going well until they ask multiple choice questions to verify my identity.

Only 1 of 3 questions had a familiar answer and it was difficult to hear over the in-store chaos. I apparently answered 2 questions wrong and they were unable to verify my identity. Not only that, but that they couldn’t ask any additional questions to further verify because their system locks me out for 60 days, after which I could try again.

Fear not - I don’t want your phone, your so-called service, NO SPRINT, no way, not me! Customer-oriented companies are all I want servicing me. Yeah, that’s right - SERVICE ME, happy endings, and then some! ;)

I investigated the alternatives. Both AT&T and Verizon had were capable of verifying my identity and credit with NO WAIT in their orderly stores. I was greeted immediately and in queue for the next person available, no wait because they have *several* employees, they’re fully staffed to accommodate their customers. Take notes, Sprint!

So, I wound up testing the Motorola Droid 2 with Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS on Verizon, as well as the iPhone 4 on AT&T. :) This was made possible by the 30 day trial period each company offers to entice new customers with no strings, just a restocking fee. 30 days of hands-on was very informative and I now have a phone that I am completely happy with. :)

Stay tuned for a comparison of those smartphones and services to see which phone was victorious. It wasn’t an easy decision.

Sorry, moose, you’re fucked because the Jebus says you have no soul! :B Fuck that, profusely.

Anyhow, as always, thoroughly entertained with the patronizing art featured on religious propaganda. For example, these people can’t wait to die, yippie!

(Click for another fine sampling of god-shmooking artwork)

Far too frail, Spain has disallowed use of lithe mannequins in stores because it “contributes to eating disorders.”

Personally, I don’t get it. Clothes, fashions, etc. look BETTER on physically appealing specimens - it helps move product. If an enormous ass is devouring the seat of some pants ‘tween its massive cheeks, it’s less flattering to the clothing, thereby potentially affecting sales. I’m being extreme though, their mandate limits it to Size 6 and up, which isn’t big at all. I just get riled when people imply that the media is responsible for girls’ feelings of self-loathing.

What I dig about this article, is that “designers will standardize women’s apparel so a given size will fit the same way no matter who sells it.” YES! Do this. I hate shopping, and if sizes were universal across designers it would make life so much easier!!! Do it to shoes too, then I can order everything online and never set foot in a store again.

Futuristic Badassedness:

To get a better idea of the shapes of Spanish women’s bodies, the government is employing some heavy technology. Using laser-fitted booths that can take 130 measurements of a body in 30 seconds, the Health Ministry is fanning out across the country to assess the sizes of Spanish women.

I demand an uprising, we require this in America, too - the standardization of sizes, that is, NOT the banning of mannequins!

SOURCE

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana pulled this ad under pressure from protests in Spain, and it even hit them where they live, in Italy.

The main issues seem to arise in the female model’s hands being pinned and her lowered lids, eyes hidden beneath either lashes or closed lids. The implications of powerlessness and unconsciousness seem to be the main source of contention, but if you look at her raised hips and arched back, it would suggest that she is digging the scene.

Some people do fantasize about this, as the designers say - it was intended to depict an “erotic dream,” a “sexual game.” The men do look particularly creepy and lecherous, but I think it was intended to be a fantasy of willing and wanting submission.

In Italy, the image first came out Feb. 5, in the most famous and bestselling [Italian] newspaper … at that time, there was no reaction. The effects did not arrive in Italy until after the poor Spanish reaction [to] the ad. We understand that in Spain there is a truly important social emergency as far as violence against women [is concerned], which is why we did not want to offend anyone, so we immediately withdrew the image from all Spanish press.
- STEFANO GABBANA

Here is a website containing this and other ads that are supposed to be offensive to women. Me? I don’t buy any of this stuff, so I don’t give a shit. I’m not their target audience. Even if I were, I could care less. Got your attention, didn’t it? Advertising mission accomplished, massive publicity for them ensues.

Additionally, I am an avid supporter of FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION and If you don’t like it, put your money where your mouth is and don’t buy their product! That’s the best way to send a message, with your hard-earned dollars. Shouldn’t be too difficult to refrain, considering their prices, over-inflated by the imagined prestige of a brand label in the pretentious court of public opinion.

Otherwise, I believe that there are far more pressing issues in life other than an advertising campaign. Go find something PRODUCTIVE to do!

SOURCE

An interesting aside, is that Dolce & Gabbana work directly with their art directors and photographers to execute their campaigns, rather than an agency. This makes their advertising more personally aligned with their own unique vision and differentiates them from many, who outsource their creative work to established agencies who crank out a concept. I’ll bet this is a major factor in their success, not having committees or executive boards to syphon out creativity.

Giants are ravishing a city, only to be foiled by “DIARRHEA!” as an upbeat chorus cheerfully informs you while they perform a synchronized interpretive dance.

You’d think Pepto Max would make it available on their site, missed opportunity on their part - this commercial is HILARIOUS!!! >:D