For at least half a century, design has been seeking a seat at the high table. Its leaders, a motley bunch of academics, ‘visionaries’ and the odd forward-thinking practitioner, believe that design should have a greater influence in the public sphere. Why not a presence in government or at least on company boards?
Secret Temptation is a female grooming brand by McNroe. It markets contemporary fragrances aimed at young teenage girls. The brand launched its products in the market in the year 2007, and added a few more variants over the years. In 2016, there was a felt need for a brand refresh, to meet the changing trends and expectations of its users. It started a phase out exercise and as a first step, it continued with 5 popular variants, out of 9, and introduce 3 new variants to the range.
First published in a slightly modified form ‘Physique’ in Business Standard, 17 November, in Deep Design, a fortnightly column by Itu Chaudhuri.
Brands place a premium on attention, firing images and words shaped into messages to inform and persuade. Indeed, we live amidst a war for our attention, an exquisitely perishable wisp that lives in the now.
It all started with a lament for the old packet of Gems, the iconic Cadbury brand that is embedded in memory as an essential currency of happiness and reward, as also a failsafe birthday cake decoration. Saying goodbye to our precious memories also makes us reflect on a legacy, for the next generation, that has been eroded.