All entries for Wednesday 29 October 2008

Ikea Visit

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/theatre_s/cp/study/design/resources/vai/

IKea Visit

This statement is a short report of my visit to Ikea on 21oct.

I’ve been asked to describe the lifestyle that Ikea is trying to sell by means of describing and analyzing the products that it offers.

Ikea is famous for its wide range of products and the low cost that it offers but I’ve realized few points about the prices that I’d like to mention.

When you enter the showroom you can see so many products placed together and forming an actual living space. All the installations look good. They present a casual, live and comfortable living space. But when it comes to the prices you should be careful, you’ll find an awesome coffee table 9.99 pounds, that’s a great deal! But next to it, you’ll find a blanket lying on an armchair; this blanket costs about 20 pounds! Here you’ll face a conflict.

On the other hand, I’ve noticed that the prices are related to the country they’ve been made in for instance the products which have been made in china are mostly cheaper.

According to these facts I suggest that Ikea products are not aiming at any special group of people and not all of them are affordable , in other words, the price range is as wide as the product range but all the products present a modern, relaxed and intimate space that everybody can enjoy.

The following part is part of an article I found at www.designcouncil.co.uk

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Ikea: big idea

Ikea is another company with a big idea. Its brand is based around the notion that good design is for everyone, not just design snobs. Past campaigns have advised us to ‘chuck out the chintz’ and fit out our homes with well-designed furniture and products at affordable prices.

In 2004 their advertising played on this central idea of the ‘democratisation of design’ by using an elitist designer caricature that would turn his nose up at the low cost, mass produced Ikea products.

In stores, products are given individual names and customers stack up their trolleys from the warehouse themselves (saving Ikea money in the meantime). This is all in keeping with the idea that you don’t need specialist, privileged knowledge to go out and buy good design.

Source: Design council

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

: 29 Oct 2008 01:41 |  Tags: Ikea |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem