DD2000- Design Discourse- Rory Sutherland
I am reviewing a talk by Rory Sutherland on www.itsnicethat.com (life lessons from an ad man). Rory Sutherland is an influential creator and thinker in the field of marketing and advertising.
He puts the theory across that we can influence the outcome of things by changing the way that we see them especially when it comes to advertising. Also by changing what we think we see as value, can be just as satisfying to us as something that is of real value. For example, in buying a car, clever advertising eases your conscience and guilt by persuading you that if you buy an economical green model you are using less fuel and reducing carbon emmissions which is better for the planet therefore making you feel good because you think you are doing your bit to save the planet.
The value of something can be tangiable, i.e it can mean any amount. Value doesn't always mean more, less can be more if it has more value to the consumer. For example placebo medication; if people believe that the mediction is the real thing then they will think that it will make them better and quite often does because what people percieve to be good will work because the majority of people have been persuaded, therefore the value of the placebo is high.
Persuasion is often better than compulsion, for example, speed cameras with smiley faces have a better effect in making the driver slow down because they are rewarded by a smiley face by sticking to the speed limit. When they get a sad face it makes them feel bad because they know they are over the limit. Symbolic value means more than actual value. Products that have a high symbolic value are considered great. An example of this is coca-cola. Andy Warhol once stated that both the president of the USA cant buy a better cola than the bum on the corner as coca-cola is a drink everybody can enjoy no matter who they are.