RE: Are Designers Over Designing?

This is an especially interesting subject matter in regards to how the world of books is changing. As physical books are increasingly less popular, the text inside the cover is no longer the product itself. We have to sell the whole book as the product including the cover. In fact, I recently read an article about how there is a new niche for designers in specialty book covers because of this very problem. However, I will agree with Emily Keeler's point about books becoming consumable objects indicating the stylistic choices of the purchaser. When books have fancy covers, I am much less likely to carry them around and read them on the bus and so forth. I want to preserve them. This leads to me not necessarily reading the book, which, shows just how the book has become a visual commodity rather than a literary one. I also found Jill's argument about Kleenex boxes and etc important. Recently, I was at Bed, Bath and Beyond with a friend of mine and she literally asked if they had any of the q-tips that come in a fancy little box. To me this is ridiculous. I think we have seen a trend of over-designed disposable packaging. I have no problem with selling a well-designed product that you can place your q-tips in--like a little wooden box or something, but these disposable products aren't even that great to look at. Something that is classic and can be reused is better than something that is crappy looking and has to be thrown away.