“Target is Turning Our Culture Into Vanilla”
An anonymous-ish Targetron named “Jamie” left us the following note.
do you know that they copy good design and art and turn these designs into cheap crap- they are ruining our culture by taken the special out of things, by making unique design so mass produced that no one wants to innovate anyone- they have cheapened it all. several local independent stores are being copied because the monster Target is in their town… Robot Love, Creative Kidstuff, Patina… they copy everything and turn it to vanilla flavored white bread.
Though my head often tells me, for a variety of ethical and economic reasons, that wanton consumption of Target products is not something I want to engage in, my heart equally as often disagrees. Can’t argue with the fact that Target has an impact on our culture, though.
What say you?
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Perhaps, but the impact of culture on my wallet is something I care more about. If I weren’t on a budget, I’d definitely skip Target shopping altogether. I’d love to be able to afford the unique and innovative items from non-chain design shops (apparel, as well), but I can’t. So, the budgeted make due with what they have, and sometimes that means patronizing places like Target (or Ikea) to furnish or decorate your space.
Having said that, I do think they have the occasional great piece and I’m not ashamed to own something that is mass produced if it looks, like, totally bitchin’ in my kitchen. :)
Also, as long as something can be called designer, there will be a knock off, whether Target does it, or the guy with the fake Gucci’s in his trunk does it. This will be true because there will never be a shortage of people desiring that which looks expensive at a price that is not.
What Target is doing isn’t all that unusual. It just happens faster these days.
(I had a much longer post that I kept editing… then I realized that my thoughts are pretty well summed up in those above two sentences.)
i’m more inclined to think of it as “style for the masses.” is it wrong to bring pretty, innovative stuff to the working class or should we all have to deal with the caravan of ugly crap that is wal-mart (and k-mart)?
i mean if it’s pretty, it’s pretty, whether there are 5 or 5,000,000 produced. while i’m not exactly in favor of big box stores steamrolling over independent companies, i don’t think design should be reserved for snobs, elitists and rich folks either — which is what the ‘taken the special out of things’ sounds a bit like.
target makes design and beauty something we *all* think about and demand. that means better, safer, more aesthetically-pleasing products for all, IMO.
After thoughts:
As for the thought that Target “copies” high end design, I say, “I’m okay with that” because I don’t feel I should have to stick to unattractive decor/furnishings simply because I can’t afford better looking stuff. Not that Target shit wants to scream I’M EXPENSIVE, but it is the type of design I like; simple and clean. The trade off is the quality but I’m also okay with that. For now.
as long as something can be called designer, there will be a knock off, whether Target does it, or the guy with the fake Gucci’s in his trunk does it
That is an excellent point.
I guess I’d also liken it to the fact that it seems like not very much is original these days. Everything is derived from (or “inspired by”) something else.
It’s interesting, because there’s a fine line between “designer” (about which the excellent point about knockoffs is made) and “art”, which is the space places like Robot Love, Patina, etc. sorta-kinda fill.
You can find custom/independent design without a big hefty pricetag. And you can find design that comes with a mortgage.
I’m as guilty as anyone of buying the Kenneth Cole knockoff shoes at Target. Because I don’t buy handmade shoes. But I do put the extra 15 or 20 bucks into buying a purse from a local artisan, because Target doesn’t really miss my 30 purse dollars. But the local artist or designer who I buy a bag from for 50 gets to pay rent when I buy from her.
Ultimately, art is in the eye of the beholder. And frankly, when you are there for toilet paper, its hard to not sell out just a little bit. And that’s exactly what Target counts on. It’s just business.
From a long-term perspective, too, consider this: if Target makes good solid design both popular and accessible to teens and twenty-somethings, that may translate into an interest in more scarce / sophisticated / expensive objects d’art in later years.
I’m more concerned with big-box store culture than what’s actually sold inside. Who cares if design is being ripped off, because frankly I find design a bit over-priced if not derivative itself of what’s come before–that’s post-modernism folks. Jamie’s argument seems misdirected as it’s more of a capitalism/land use issue when you start talking about shuttered stores and prospering retailers.
What are Jamie’s thoughts on Ikea? Are they not offering cheap, derivative design?
ps. Am I the only one disturbed that “our culture” here is being defined by what we consume? It’s enough to make one pine for the bland marketplace of the nineteenth century.
Jamie is taken the special out of our grammar!
Vanilla flavored white bread is more flavorful than plain ol’ white bread.
It’s not the only way culture is defined, but it happens to be this particular slice that we’re discussing.
Jim makes a good point that applies to me personally. Someday, I won’t have to shop at Target (or Overstock or Amazon) for my wanted items, and I’d love to give my business to local artists who make stuff I love. Well, as long as I don’t wind up in prison or anything, anyway.