Branded!

Brand messages are pervasive in contemporary culture and create a language of symbols and ideas attached to commodities.  Often in the public sphere, our belongings signify our identity more than words, but this product-based communication is only tacitly understood.

‘Branded!’ is a satirical web application that subverts this “semiotics of stuff.” Ostensibly backed by the expertise of  “consumerologists,” it asks the user questions about his/her personal tastes and consumption habits. The user is then “branded” with a personal barcode depicting the ratio of stereotypes (e.g. yuppie, hipster, etc.) present in her consumer personality. She is also labeled with a sarcastic description of her perceived identity and given product suggestions based on her taste.

This project employs satire along with the pop-culture allure of the personality quiz to create a unique interactive experience that provokes the user to consider how her belongings define her. It was my thesis for my BFA in Design and Technology, and can be viewed here.