Planned Obsolescence: Aesthetic over Functional The Emergence, Effects and Ethics

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Planned Obsolescence Aesthetic over Functional
The Emergence, Effects and Ethics
Jonathan French BSc Product Design, School of
Design, Engineering and Computing, Bournemouth
University
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Contents

• Introduction
• Aims and Objectives
• Emergence of Aesthetic Obsolescence
• Effects The Disposable Society
• Case Study The Mobile Phone
• Ethics Sustainable Issues
• Conclusions

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What is Planned Obsolescence?

• Product obsolete in defined time frame
• Technical, functional and aesthetic

• Aesthetic - concerned with visual form
• Alteration of superficial characteristics of a
  product to create a new model
• Previous undesirable, rendering it obsolete
• Cycle of fashion aided by marketing
• Still performs primary function

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Aims and Objectives

• Highlight and further define aesthetic element
  to planned obsolescence
• Put into context by investigating its emergence
  and effects in 20th Century
• Case Study - illustrate modern exploitation of
  aesthetic obsolescence
• Find an ethically sound route for aesthetic
  obsolescence
• Right direction for sustainable products

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The Emergence Aesthetic Obsolescence

• Concept born out of The Depression,
  Streamlining, and Industrial Design
• 1930s Streamlining in cars
• Inspiration aerodynamic form
• Redesign of external form - make more successful
• Yearly style advances - marketing weapon
• Visual Image compared more than function
• Rejection Citroen 2CV and VW Beetle

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The Effects The Disposable Society

• Destruction and replacement of products became
  pleasurable and social act
• Advertising and marketing sparked
  mass-commercialism in 1950s
• New model - as new oneself
• Rising economic prosperity
• Consumer backlash - function over aesthetic
• More durable products

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Case Study - Mobile Phones

• Highly competitive - 1 billion sales by 2009
• Re-styling - similar to Streamlining
• Guarantee repeat sales

• Nokia - 1920s Art Deco Style
• Fashion range - aesthetic over function
• Snap fit covers - customisation - extended
  product life
• Current - non-customisable - regain control

• Vodafone - Vending machines
• Monthly model change - latest style
• Delivery - similar to soft drinks and
  confectionery
• Exaggerated form of obsolescence

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Ethics Sustainable Issues

• Aesthetic Obsolescence - Critical level
• Environmental Impact
• Obsolescence Waste
• Solution Affordable Attractive Sustainable
• Materials - bio, recyclable
• Processing - energy efficient - renewable energy
• Brands media - educate consumer

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Conclusions

• Aesthetic Obsolescence over consumption
  commitment to fashion
• Highly competitive product fields
• Marketing brands make public aware
• Trends attitudes - must address sustainability
  
• Always demand for changing style
• Solution - style changes sustainability

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End of Presentation