According to AIGA, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the skull is "overused, overexposed, overdone - and yet evergreen, everlasting, ever in play." Therefore, it can be assumed that even those with professional knowledge disagree with the constant use of the skull. It is so commonly referred to hat it has been likened to a penny. AIGA refers to the skull as the "designer's coin, so cheap you half expect to turn it over to find... a smiley face." Save that for another rant.
Unfortunately the history of the skull has been neglected in many design ideas. There is no research in the pictures of display that have been adorning people, their homes, workplaces, and even their pets. Yes, now there are even skulls on apparel for dogs, cats, and any other animal you might be dressing. Skulls adorn pink hooded sweatshirts found at "sassypup.net." The site displays a small pink hooded track jacket replete with an Air Force patch, pin, and a bright white skull decorated with a chain and fake diamonds.
Not only are skulls decorating clothing for dogs, but also for people as well. Outerwear is not the only lucky article of clothing to be embellished by such a deserving motif. Now you can even find skulls on panties.
And then there are the accessories. Skulls can be found around people's necks, in their piercings, in their hair, and over their shoulders. Purses everywhere display skulls, whether they are frilly, rocker, punk, or preppy. The skull has completely lost it's identity in the world of fashion.
Bodily accessories are no longer the only items to make a flashy statement. Household items also have the opportunity to feel as deadly and rocker and any other item on the market. A company in Hamburg, Germany, produces and imports toasters that not only have the skulls motif, but brands your toast with a skull to designate your toast as poison. And along with poison toast, you can feed your toddlers toxic juice out of a sippy cup marked with a skull and crossbones, found at "troubletots.com"
The logic behind many of these designs is questionable. Why, other than for the sake of pleasing a customer would someone think to make so many items with such an image? It seems as though designers aren't doing their research. In this case, the skull is going to lose all meaning, unless a completely disturbed person actually wished to poison their toddler and eat toxic toast.
The skull has always been visually represented. It is a part of the human skeletal system and always will be. When used literally, the skull stands symbolic of death and harm. The skull and crossbones was used on pirate flags. Why then is the skull so appealing to the human eye?
David Barringer, writer of "Forever Skull," believes it is because human beings are obsessed with what they cannot see. He explains we have a "desperate desire [that] drives us to derivatives, the skull, overuse of the skull, slapped across our cultural walls like plastic stars glowing in the dark. We're inured to them. It;s too bright for our skulls to glow, these faded blobs drifting farther and farther from the things they represent."
What then constitutes proper use of the skull? I believe if there is historical reference in a design, the designer has done his or her job properly. The skull is one object that happens to have various symbolic meanings. Because it is part of the human body, every culture has had experience and different understandings of what the skull represents.
In some cultures the skull represents death, in other a romantic notion of immortality. In early artwork by Shakespeare, he has depicted the skull in reference to pleasure and vanity. The skull also has been a representative of reason, intellectual vision, and different stages of human knowledge. If used with the crossbones, the skull can mean re-birth or, quite differently, danger. In Spanish culture, the skull is symbolic of El Dia De Los Muertos, or The Day of The Dead. On this occasion, people pay respect to their dead relatives by leaving treats, such as candy skulls and other items most precious to whomever passed away, on a small alter to be received by the deceased's spirit.
Because the history of symbolism is vast for the skull, there are many ways in which it could be utilized. However, that is not an excuse for improper use, such as a motif on a toaster. It is understandable that the skull is also used in some culture as a mean to represent machismo or a gothic style. This makes design a bit confusing though when the skull is slapped on any item to please the taste of someone who wants to be tough or grim.
The skull has been considered a sacred object for many years. Design should no destroy such a reputation, but embrace it. When designed, objects should proudly and properly display the items they are representing. In doing so, confusion is lost and tribute is paid, and I do believe the skull is due some respect.
As a consumer, do not give in to bad design. You should not be taken for granted or as an ignorant fool. Be prideful when you buy goods. Know what you are buying and what it represents. You wouldn't buy a book if you could not read it, so why buy something that does not make sense?
Designers, do your research. Should you really be using the skull on your next project? Does it hold any meaning, or are you simply trying to find the easy way out of making your design like in pop culture? It's up to you.
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