| Nov. 21, 2008 | Posted by: ellen |
Online Shopping Cheer
As practically everyone is predicting, this holiday season is shaping up to be a doozie for retailers. Now more then ever, companies need to set themselves apart from the competition. One retailer who has always been at the forefront for unique shopping experiences seems to be translating some of their in-store techniques to their online marketplace. The Fa-La-La Filter from Anthropologie breaks the monotony of online shopping with a simple, game-like interface that allows users to sort and a selection of ornaments in a playful way. It somehow resembles the spirit of decorating a tree. It’s imaginative, whimsical, and fun. Even better, it actually is a useful sorting tool.
Here at MSLK, we have a special place in our heart for design that is both beautiful and informative. In fact, we’re soon to unveil a unique online sort system that we hope both engages users and helps them find the perfect product. Style and substance at its best!
While Anthropologie’s branding is admirable, unfortunately its integrity is not. Anthropologie and its sisters, Urban Outfitters and Free People, are marketed at an audience typically radically opposed to the viewpoints of those most benefitting from their consumer dollars. Despite the liberal product skew and heritage, Richard Hayne, Anthropologie founder and president, is extremely politically conservative and donates millions of dollars a year to anti-gay rights legislation – including 2008′s California Prop 8 which created a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage. (Interestingly, this information has been recently removed from his wikipedia bio.)
I realize this isn’t meant to be a political site, but I think it’s important we, as designers and consumers, understand where our support is going.
Thanks for the forum and for a great site!
Thanks for your comment!
I had heard through the grapevine that the founder is a staunch conservative. I find it quite interesting given that each Urban Outfitters Inc. brand seems to embrace the concept of independent thinking, and employs and inspires a liberal youth.
Political thoughts aside, in no way do I support anti-gay rights, and it’s certainly a dilemma to think my money would. However, I do remember that Urban Outfitters was a big player in getting out the youth vote this year – even going to the extent of creating a blog devoted to it . Ultimately the voter turnout this year was a huge factor in electing a Democratic President. It comes down to whether money or influence is more powerful.
Either way, I do kind of like this new t-shirt available at Urban Outfitters…