Raw Perspective: The Creative Engine

In many respects, we would pretty much hate being regarded as machines. But just as machines produce a certain output, we as humans operate in the same way, how much output we generate however is a result of what we are 'programmed' to produce.

A friend of mine, Karen, had been reading Seth Godin’s latest publication, Linchpin, her one liner from the book was that ‘corporations promote mediocrity’.. That is a complete debate on its own however be it the current financial climate or the clueless syndrome, that statement made alot of sense; managements priority at times like these would be to ensure that objectives have been met and at the lowest cost possible. The fact that we have jobs hints a larger workload. And so anything beyond your job description is sheer right selfish investment..

In fact in my opinion, mediocrity and its components are destructive…

Let’s take the creative industry for example, whether it was advertising, branding, film production, design and the like, an industry that feeds off of mind capital, a resource that by itself is a highly powerful one, one that needs a comfortable environment to function in, it’s a resource that needs constant nourishment (inspiration) in order to produce a certain standard, and that certain standard can’t be restricted by the programmers of the system as creativity is boundless and one cannot assume fixed and concrete roles for it.

Just as a motor engine needs maintenance; fine tuning, servicing and oil changes, the human asset as well is driven by similar basic needs. And so if we eliminate one of those crucial habits that keep our engine in check, well simply we’ll consider replacing the old engine with a new one and at the current inflated market cost…

The creative industries are a competitive field whereby the mediocrity model is challenged. The creative engine is a human one and does not solely suffice to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, it is a fragile raw material that needs protection, nourishment and continuity.

Replacing the old engine only seems to justify the lack of concern for it. And incorporating a medicority model into a creative industry would definitely over ride the system.

Trends - Istanbul: Outdoor Store Design

Taksim Square - known as one of Istanbuls most frequented downtown districts- is a great place to head to when attempting to conceptualize the citys retail landscape. A long pedestrian road closed off from cars, intersected by several other roads and infested by rows of outlets attracting almost everyone.

Although a commercial dimension of this historical town, authenticity is not at a loss, almost every store practiced its own unique tune and managed to dedicate a familiar setting that invited its fresh audience.

I found this city rather interesting, litterally bridging Europe and Asia, its retail scene spoke of that aswell, in the sense the Turks had emphasized alot on store design, branding and modern ways of developing their own local businesses. They had remained true to their heritage -as the old Ottoman styled buildings seemed to suggest- all the while blending a more western commercial feel. 

I was intrigued by the site of these designs that seemed more like an art exhibition taking place at midnight. 

Note: You might get a little caught up with looking left and right, remember the tramway in the middle!