Article

The Value of Art: A Blank Canvas and a White Painting

As I write this, I have two tabs open in my web browser. One tab is an image of an apparently blank canvas by the American artist Robert Ryman. The other tab is a TikTok video likening the voice of the new Manchester United manager to a character from Despicable Me. To be honest, I think I’m enjoying the TikTok video more than Ryman’s painting.

A Blank Canvas and a White Painting

General 52 x 52, the original just sold at auction for nearly $1.4m. Several news outlets compared it to the recent $6.2m sale of Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian, a banana, duct taped to a wall, bought and eaten by a Crypto entrepreneur. I’ve seen a lot of social media outrage directed towards Ryman, declaring the art to be a waste of time. And yet, while I might be getting more of an immediate laugh out of that TikTok video, I’d still take a ‘blank’ painting over it.

The Art of Robert Ryman

Ryman wasn’t fussy. He gave his paintings unimaginative titles because he didn’t want the title to influence how you saw the work. He was known to exhibit his pieces in whatever order the shipping company delivered them. He didn’t waffle on unintelligibly about his work, never claimed it contained all sorts of complex meanings and metaphors. He spoke sense about art, in his own lovely, clumsy way. He told one interview: "I wanted to paint the paint." He told another: "A painting has to do with, well, with paint, basically … It’s never so important what you paint, it’s how you do it."

A Painting that Forces You to Participate

He painted on all sorts of surfaces: coffee filters, cold-rolled steel, fibreglass panels, corrugated cardboard … But he stuck almost exclusively to painting in white. Ryman never developed. He deepened. And his motives were as pure as his medium: he wanted his viewers to enjoy "an experience of delight, and well-being, and rightness … like listening to music." But you had to meet him half way.

The Value of Art

What about the sale price of the much smaller General 52 x 52? Can a stretch of canvas and a bit of paint ever really be worth $1,383,800? In one of my favourite Mad Men episodes, Bert Cooper buys a Mark Rothko and hangs it in his office. His employees at the Sterling Cooper advertising agency worry he’ll ask them to interpret its meaning. Cooper hasn’t exactly bought the piece because it moves him. He says: "that thing should double in value by next Christmas." This often goes unsaid when paintings sell for silly money. They’re usually bought less for their artistic merit than their investment value.

Conclusion

Ryman’s art forces you to participate. It’s active, while much of today’s media is passive. That TikTok video likening the voice of Ruben Amorim to the voice of Gru provided me a moment’s diversion. General 52 x 52 forced me to think, respond, participate. It made me write this piece.

FAQs

Q: What is the significance of Robert Ryman’s art?
A: Ryman’s art is significant because it forces the viewer to participate, to think, and to respond. It’s active, not passive.

Q: Why did Ryman paint in white?
A: Ryman painted in white to create a sense of simplicity and purity. He wanted to focus on the process of painting, rather than the subject matter.

Q: Is a blank canvas worth $1.4m?
A: Whether or not a blank canvas is worth $1.4m is a matter of personal opinion. Some people may see it as a waste of money, while others may see it as a valuable piece of art that challenges the viewer to think and respond.

Few designs seem to provoke more heated reactions than car logos. Automobile brands often enjoy strong brand loyalty, so when something a little controversial comes along (like, yes, the Jaguar rebrand), feathers are often ruffled. But perhaps the boldest step of all is removing a logo completely.

A Bold Move from Tesla

Earlier this year, Tesla revealed a bunch of new vehicles, including the Cybercab and Cybervan. Following the lead of the controversial Cybertruck, these vehicles feature no Tesla logo, and not even a wordmark. Why such a glaring omission? Just ask Elon Musk.

"If the product is special enough, no logo is needed," Musk tweeted in response to a Tesla fan who noticed the lack of logo yesterday. But as recent history has shown us, removing an iconic logo isn’t always a wise move.

A Cautionary Tale from Audi

Audi recently drew the ire of the internet when it announced a new EV range (conveniently titled ‘AUDI’) that does away with the iconic four rings logo in favor of a simple wordmark. While the move might be seen as a bold step towards minimalism, it’s hard to imagine the brand’s loyal fanbase will be thrilled about the change.

Design Takes Center Stage

Tesla’s car design is certainly recognizable enough not to require a logo. Whether recognizable means ‘good’ is another matter – the Cybertruck has been mocked enough over the years. But for brands with the best logos of all time, the logo is arguably as important to the aesthetic as the product design itself. Everybody recognizes the iPhone – but you won’t see Apple opt out of slapping a fruit on the back of it.

Conclusion

Removing a logo can be a bold move, but it’s not without its risks. For brands with a strong identity, the logo is often an integral part of their overall aesthetic. While Tesla’s decision to forgo a logo on its new vehicles might be seen as a nod to minimalism, it’s a risk that not all brands are willing to take.

FAQs

Q: Why did Tesla remove its logo from its new vehicles?
A: According to Elon Musk, "If the product is special enough, no logo is needed."

Q: Is this a new trend in logo design?
A: Not necessarily. While Tesla’s move is bold, it’s not necessarily a trend. Brands are more likely to experiment with new logo designs rather than abandon them altogether.

Q: Will other brands follow in Tesla’s footsteps?
A: It’s possible, but it’s also possible that brands will stick to their tried-and-true logos. Ultimately, the decision to remove a logo depends on the brand’s overall strategy and identity.

The Great AI Debate: Can a Company’s Provocative Marketing Campaign be a Step Too Far?

A Dystopian Billboard Campaign

Last month, I was suitably disturbed by a series of dystopian billboards cropping up around San Francisco that promoted hiring AI over humans. The campaign was so egregiously provocative that it bordered on parody – a near-perfect reflection of the AI existentialism among creatives, seemingly proving that we’re one step closer to an all-out AI takeover.

The Controversial Campaign

The company behind the controversial billboards is Artisan, an AI platform specializing in providing clients with AI employees. With goading copy like "Artisans won’t come into work hungover" and "Artisans won’t complain about work-life balance", it’s clear that the billboards were designed with a purpose to challenge, provoke, and offend. There’s a desperate palpable irony to the campaign, even down to the company name "Artisan" synonymous with skilled human crafters who create by hand – a far cry from the company’s AI drones.

The Backlash

As more billboards appeared, heated backlash soon followed. On Bluesky user @spaceprez.bsky.social‬ shared one of the controversial ads, sparking outrage from followers. "This could be straight out of a Black Mirror episode," one user commented, while another added, "This makes me want to scream and throw bricks at it." Scathing responses continued on X, where @TMisGlitching called the ads an "anti-human publicity campaign".

The Mastermind Behind the Campaign

The mastermind behind the controversial campaign is 23-year-old founder and CEO Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, who appears suitably unphased by the backlash. Speaking to SFGate, Jasper says "We wanted something that would draw eyes – you don’t draw eyes with boring messaging." Regarding the ads, the CEO acknowledged "They are somewhat dystopian, but so is AI," suggesting that the provocative copy is merely a stark reflection of reality.

Conclusion

While I’d typically prioritize crafting a meaningful statement rather than ‘making noise’ when it comes to marketing, Jack’s sensationalist approach has caused growth in the company. If you’ve found yourself frustrated by Artisan’s provocative campaign, it’s almost inevitable – they’re manufactured as rage bait and the company thrives from the backlash.

FAQs

Q: Is the campaign a publicity stunt?
A: Yes, the campaign is designed to be provocative and draw attention to the company.

Q: Is the company’s goal to replace human workers with AI?
A: The company’s goal is to provide clients with AI employees, but the campaign does not explicitly state that it is replacing human workers with AI.

Q: Is the campaign successful?
A: Yes, the campaign has generated significant attention and publicity for the company.

Q: Is there a backlash against the campaign?
A: Yes, many people have expressed outrage and frustration with the campaign, calling it "anti-human" and "dystopian".

Designing with Impact

“Design that goes beyond convention to communicate meaning.” This trend encourages a movement towards sustainability and inclusivity, using visual cues or storytelling, material choices, and design details to create a lasting impact.

A prime example is Raras, a limited-edition wine that “puts the research of rare diseases on the table.” The atypical shape of the bottles, alongside the changing typography and label messaging, work in tandem to encourage important and candid conversations around health.

Art Deco Revival

Gatsby-style Art Deco packaging design is back with a bang – think striking geometric shapes, opulent colors, and plenty of glamour. With a particular focus on the drinks sector, this classic aesthetic revives the retro luxury of the ’20s design trend with a modern twist, bringing a contemporary flair to the well-loved design era.

Apéritifs brand Rue de Rêve takes cues from the Art Deco era with its arched 1920s architecture-inspired design created by Makers & Allies. Capturing the intersection of the brand’s French inspiration and Californian heritage, the tactile golden embellishments of the design make for a luxe experience that “transports drinkers to a Golden State.”

Simple Shapes Meet Stand-out Shades

Embracing bold visuals, this trend uses simple geometric shapes paired with bright primary colors to create a striking visual appeal. The playfulness of this combination makes for visually arresting packaging across a variety of products, making it an adaptable trend with a distinct contemporary quality.

Created by Dispenser Studio, Pasta Luciano’s packaging is a prime example of how bold design can create a standout shelf appeal. Embracing the graphic nature of large geometric shapes, the contrast of the packaging’s bright colors mirrors the liveliness of the brand’s creator, Luciano Monosilio, bringing a unique personality to the branding.

Inspired by Psychedelia

Taking inspiration from the ’60s, nods to psychedelic design are increasingly appearing, using kaleidoscopic patterns and intense colors to transport consumers into new dimensions. Despite its retro origins, psychedelic-inspired design has a distinctly contemporary feel thanks to its unrestrained use of bold color and striking patterns.

Embracing this aesthetic, Design Bridge and Partners introduced a vivid palette in its redesigned Pleasurama food packaging for Harvey Nichols. Maintaining the brand’s heritage of luxury, the new branding appeals to a new generation of customers with its daring and commanding design.

Cultural Connections

With a focus on heritage and history, ‘cultural connections’ create a sense of identity for brands while addressing an “understanding of cultural nuances in different target markets.” Connecting with audiences in a uniquely authentic way, this trend spotlights culture and heritage as an educational tool and a platform for thoughtful conversation.

Uncovering social taboos, OT is a condom brand “aiming to tackle the issue around the absence of comprehensive sex education, gender inequality, and a culture of shame in Kazakhstan.” With the ‘O’ and ‘T’ representing man and woman side by side, the packaging redefines sexual culture, promoting equality by visualizing harmonious and healthy relations between the genders.

Conclusion

The packaging design trends for 2025 are a reflection of the ever-evolving industry, with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural connections. As design continues to play a vital role in shaping consumer experiences, these trends are set to dominate the industry in the coming year.

FAQs

Q: What is the main focus of the packaging design trends for 2025?
A: The main focus is on sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural connections.

Q: What is the significance of the “Designing with Impact” trend?
A: It encourages a movement towards sustainability and inclusivity, using visual cues or storytelling, material choices, and design details to create a lasting impact.

Q: What is the Art Deco Revival trend all about?
A: It’s a revival of the classic Art Deco design trend, with a modern twist, bringing a contemporary flair to the well-loved design era.

Q: What is the significance of the “Simple Shapes Meet Stand-out Shades” trend?
A: It uses simple geometric shapes paired with bright primary colors to create a striking visual appeal, making it an adaptable trend with a distinct contemporary quality.

Q: What is the “Inspired by Psychedelia” trend all about?
A: It takes inspiration from the ’60s, using kaleidoscopic patterns and intense colors to transport consumers into new dimensions, with a distinctly contemporary feel.

Q: What is the “Cultural Connections” trend all about?
A: It spotlights culture and heritage as an educational tool and a platform for thoughtful conversation, connecting with audiences in a uniquely authentic way.