My Graphic Design III students and I want to welcome you to this blog, and thank you for taking the time to discuss your Vogue cover "6 Ways...".
As we know, the practice of categorizing individuals based on similarities or the process of stereotyping has its positive and negative influences.
As creatives we also know that the interpretation and reaction resulting from the messages we create and publish will differ from one viewer to another.
Students in my GD3 class have been reviewing the book "Contemporary Graphic Design" by C. & P, Fiell. Some of the works showcased stir exciting critical discussions in class. As female Arab graphic design students, your Vogue cover "6 Ways..." was of particular interest to them, and we felt that what better way to continue the discussion than to invite the designer.
So we thank you for this opportunity to have this online discussion, which we hope will be educational, and will provide energy and inspiration for a final class project, which we hope to also share with you.
So, let's begin the Q&A!
My question is why did you specify 'TALIBAN' when the picture could could resemble Muslim ladies every where ?
ReplyDeleteHello Mr. King,
ReplyDeleteI would like to know your concept behind this design, and the relation between the image and the text.
Abeer
hello Mr. King,
ReplyDeletei would personally like to know your intention behind creating this piece, and where was your target set?
was it to convey Arabs? or Muslims?
i want to know whether you aimed for the resemblance of a specific culture and religion or possibly portray the violence in "Taliban's" strict culture?!
Hi Mr. King,
ReplyDeleteMy question is why did you choose a woman instead of a man for the cover? what exactly was your purpose behind that?
thanks
Hi Mr. King
ReplyDeleteI would like to know the meaning of using this specific subject for Vogue magazine, and what reaction was expected from its audience regarding to this issue?
According to the “Taliban look”, I am curious to know what those 6 tips are?
Also, based on which information you have linked “Taliban” to this woman?
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ReplyDeleteDear Students, Mr. King had difficulty submitting his answers, so he sent them to me to post. They are as follows:
ReplyDelete1) I specified Taliban because it was a more crass and idiotic thing to say - you have to remember - I am speaking (in the covers) as the new editor/creative director of American Vogue - so the 'position' is intended to be both a satire on the attitude of 'Middle America' and simultaneously a comment on the stupidity of the actual/real content of American Vogue.
2) Well, I think that's self explanatory - it's a kind of 'dumb punk' take on the standard fashion cover.
3) I think it was all of the above - and none of the above. As answer 1) - it's intended to satirise the dumbness of of American Vogue - and in this instance and attempt to 'band wagon jump' ... you know? The news is full of the 'War in Afghanistan' ... so as editor of Vogue, I thought 'Mmmm, interesting outfits ... let's put that on the cover'.
4) Vogue always had has a woman on the cover (sometimes a man and a woman, but very rarely). 99% of the time it's a woman.
5) I think I've answered this above - no offence! Your question was just last. I'm not sure what the '6 tips' are - maybe you could help me and suggest some? The '6 tips' idea is of course a comment on the simple attire of the woman on the cover - it's intended to work in direct contrast to the usual Vogue covers which say things like '652 Handbags You Must Buy!' or '329 Lipsticks: Our Essential Survey'.
Good luck with your work,
Scott King.
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ReplyDeleteHello again Mr.King,
ReplyDeleteThanx for your reply, but i want to know in terms of decision to choose an Arabic women to make fun on the 'American Vogue', haven't you thought of other people's feeling in the world?!
For instance us ?! This is offensive for a lot of people you know what i mean ?
So was it worth adding the Arabic Women ? Like would it create a difference if you used another character to symbolize the message you are trying to send?
I mean what you had put your design through is a very sensitive matter and subject to the Arab world.
Hi Mr.King ,
ReplyDeleteyour response wasn't very clear and didn't answer my question.Also
i wanted to point out that the picture you used on the cover isn't the correct clothing of Taliban woman.
please check the link below, it has a picture of the authentic Taliban clothes because the picture you posted resembles the clothing of any Muslim lady.
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2009/8/1/1249157752758/Women-in-Islamic-dress-we-001.jpg
Hi Mr.King,
ReplyDeletei do wear just like her " the lady in your cover" and so many other Muslim women around the world who have nothing to do with Taliban .
Do you mean we are Taliban ! You are wrong !
you should’ve done more serious research before you published your cover design. For me i feel you are targeting Muslim women not Taliban, which is not acceptable . There is nothing in the picture referring to Taliban , even the women in Afghanistan they are wearing different kind of veil , not this one anyway !
Thank you for replaying back.
ReplyDeleteMr. King I got the idea of adding a woman on the cover just because Vogue magazine does that mostly, yet dealing with a specific issue like Taliban must not necessarily match that idea. Especially because it is a sensitive political issue that has cultural connection to people’s minds as well. Maybe working on more researches would be a good suggestion so that people will not misunderstand it.
Hi Maria,
ReplyDeleteWell - they have every right to be offended - but the work is not a 'pun' - it is me imagining that I've become the editor of American Vogue ... it is me imagining being in New York and wielding endless (media)power while off my head on vodka and cocaine ... it is me as a lunatic dictator - so the answer is - I'm afraid - that as this character, I don't care about the nuances or whether I got my facts right ... it is an idea ... a disaster fantasy.
It is one of twelve such ideas ... the whole set being called 'HOW I'D SINK AMERICAN VOGUE' ... if your students are going to separate the one of those ideas from the whole ... and more importantly from the title, then they're wrong ... I devised the title/mechanic to allow myself the fantasy, the freedom, the madness, the idiocy ... if they don't understand that then I don't think you should be talking to me about semiotics.
Your students need to understand the above - if they're going to support their religion and the dress codes that that insists on - that is their choice (I hope, for their sakes).
If I were you - and I don't mean to sound like an arsehole - I'd concentrate on getting them to become good designers first before getting them to become critics and potential eactionaries.
I hope I don't sound offended by their comments - I mean - how ridiculous - it's me who's offended them - so how could I be?
I have no idea about their lives - so perhaps - even though I've explained my intentions/point above - I am wrong. But frankly, I think all religion is wrong, so there's a part of me that is glad that they're offended ... mind you I'm 40 and they're probably 20 ... so I don't gloat on the fact or wish to go on about it.
If they want to send me their work - I'll be happy to look at it. I am a firm believer in ability and am happy to talk to anyone on any level about art if they are capable of doing it themselves ... otherwise, they're just critics (whether they be students at your college or contributing editors to Artforum). Anyone can be critical and anyone can be offended ... if your students are capable artists and designers I am happy to speak to them.
Regards, Scott.