Have you ever taken the time to think about all the things you buy?
Mississippi-based graphic designer and illustrator Kate Bingham-Burt has. In fact, she goes one step further and meticulously records all her purchases in funky black and white drawings. The collection of sketches is on her blog ‘What Did You Buy Today?’
Illuminating the relationship between one woman and her shopping, the visual blog delves deeper into the subject of consumerism by reminding us all of those things--the lattes, the chewing gum and the supermarket sandwiches--that are bought and discarded without a moment's thought.
The simple and innocent black and white sketches are even more powerful in their medium: They are not merely photographs or a list of words. The commitment to painstakingly record every purchase must surely cause the artist to reevaluate everything she buys. She must ask herself, not only do I want it, but also, do I have the time to draw it?
I think if more of us were aware like this, there would be much less waste in the world, and consumption would indeed be less obsessive.
Cataloging Consumption
‘What Did You Buy Today?' Captures a Designer's Purchases
Trend Themes
1. Record-keeping Consumerism - The trend of cataloging and visualizing one's personal purchases to become more aware of consumerism and its effects.
2. Artistic Purchase Tracking - Using creative mediums like sketches and drawings to capture personal consumption patterns as a form of self-reflection.
3. Conscious Consumption Movement - The growth of a movement aimed at promoting conscious purchasing decisions through self-awareness and education.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Opportunity for artists and designers to capitalize on consumers' desire for creative ways to track purchases.
2. Retail Industry - Opportunity for retailers to align with the values of the conscious consumption movement and enhance the shopping experience with educational resources.
3. Sustainability - Opportunity for sustainability-focused companies to partner with cataloging apps or services to provide consumers with detailed information about the impact of their purchases.