Assignment 1: The Consumption of Design 1C

Next for part C of the assignment we had to analyse the photographs we were given in exchange for those we had collected of ourselves growing up. Karen gave me mostly photos which I imagine she took over the Christmas break of her home, university accommodation and a couple of her with her friends, perhaps in their late school years.

How did I feel analysing the photographs?

I struggled at first to pick out useful information and make assumptions but as I progressed I began to find it easier, looking for clues about Karen’s possible tastes, influences, possessions and environment was very interesting. I felt a little like I was digging a bit too deep and making some wrong assumptions. I think the task is quite invasive of peoples private lives.

What did I find out about Karen?

I made a lot of notes about Karen, below is a summary of my observations:

Tastes

Books: Jodi Picoult, there is books by this author both on the bookshelf at home and in her university bedroom. Perhaps a favourite author?

Leading brands: good quality, expensive products that you don’t purchase frequently

Likes reds and pinks? Bright colour? Colour of necklace and scarf and also the wallpaper and bedding in another photo.

Sky dive: Outgoing, adventurous, for charity? Daring

STA travel: Likes travelling, may be holiday with friends at uni / from school? Gap year?

Fancy Dress: Fun, sociable

Influences

Home/Parents: Karen’s room is neat, tidy and organized like her home

Friends: Lots of photos of friends suggest she is greatly influenced by them or perhaps does not see them often

Looks like she has a good group of girl close girl friends

Like to be sociable, having a good time

Enjoyed a girls summer holiday, end of school perhaps?

Possessions

Laptop, Books, Timetable: Intelligent, hardworking, Facebook is on the laptop screen. Karen probably has Facebook and uses it regularly to keep in touch with family/friends

Friends forever picture frame: Close friends from school, gave it to Karen as a gift

Jewellery: Quite bold, couple of hearts, girly, feminine

No7 products: Looks after her skin, likes to look nice.

Theme park Photo: Likes theme parks, adventurous, fun, daring

Water bottles: Healthy, goes to the gym? , Refills them-environmentally conscious, recycles?

CD player/Radio : Likes listening to music, perhaps whilst working

Environment

University bedroom: Quite sparsely decorated, suggests she lives close to home and goes home often

Drawer not fully closed: Left open in a hurry? Busy lifestyle?

Timetable on her bedroom wall: Organized

Tidy: Practical, organized – work and books neatly laid out, neat, conscientious

What I found particularly interesting was the similarities between Karen and me. For example on both our shelves are books by Jodi Picoult, we both have the same brand of laptop, makeup and hair straighteners. Also we both seem to have mostly pictures of friends, (including pictures of fancy dress costumes and girls holidays) rather than pictures of family. We both also have a caricature in our bedrooms at home and a picture of us taken at a theme park!