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Why Hipster Attitudes Can Ruin Interaction Design: A Guide to Designing with Empathy.(designmodo.com)
8 years ago from Nathan Yates, Product Designer / Co-Founder at Metropoly.co & NerveApp.com
Dan Sherratt, 8 years ago
I think it's definition is too open to interpretation to be used in this context.
I'm probably defined as a hipster because I'm a designer, have thick rimmed glasses, skinny jeans, a patagonia rucksack and I buy a giant coffee on the way to work, I also listen to Chet Faker and Floating Points.
Thing is I'm also partial to a few Iron Maiden tracks, Public Enemy and Beastie Boys, and have been known to enjoy the film She's All That.
Nathan Yates, 8 years ago
Everything is a shade of grey, I suppose. I'm probably a hipster too :)
I just think it's important to be self-aware that our niche tastes and opinions aren't always backed up with fact so, as designers, it's helpful to think of new models when designing experiences.
And I'm not criticising the content of your article at all, you make excellent points and it's very well written.
Semantics I guess.
Cecil Lancaster, 8 years ago No offense but the Iron Maiden, etc stuff still makes you a hipster regardless, given what you described before that.
I think what ultimately makes one a hipster is the way they present themselves and physical dress. If you've got a slight attitude about stuff, have likes as the ones you mentioned, and look the part then that's all that's necessary to qualify as hipster.
I think my point was more that generally I've found people to make overtly negative judgments on my/others personality quite often based on something as small as the cut of jeans. It's just a poor reflection on people's attitudes in general.
Not that it's what Nathan's article is getting at, but I don't think it's dissimilar to presuming someone labelled as a 'rocker' in the late 60's was presumed to be violent due to the fact they had a mohican and leather jacket.
Wil Nichols, 8 years ago
As a group that is very actively marketed to among young adults, there's no way that they "lie outside general societal consensuses." // Simply by existing, brands like American Apparel entirely disprove this definition.
That's an interesting point, how would you define that demographic? :)
I think we need to look at the scales of relativity here though i.e Just because a demographic can be defined doesn't mean that it's the norm.
Although AA's marketing demographic definitely exists, I don't believe that it's the societal consensus either. Surely, this can be evidence with the fact that AA specifically tries to be 'edgy' in it's aesthetics to appeal to youth?
I tend to think it's a label applied to young people outside of a traditionally-appropriate aesthetic — which by positive self-differentiation becomes incredibly profitable
If "edgy" has enough volume to constitute profit, then can that volume be considered beyond the general social consensus?
You make some really great points, Will.
I'd say that "edge" we talk about is probably always shifting as trends change so it's hard to determine those societal norms we spoke about earlier.
There's definitely a debate to be had on pop culture here, haha :)
Kyle Mitchell, 8 years ago
didn't they just declare bankruptcy?
Aleksi Tappura, 8 years ago
too mainstream to stay in the business
Laurens Spangenberg, 8 years ago
So if I don't conform to societal norm I'm a hipster?
No idea. You have the right to self-identify however you like.
I may be wrong but you seem to imply that I believe 'normal' is good or somehow more 'right'. Nowhere in the article or this thread did I make that claim :)
Regardless of my definition of the word, I just wanted to share some practical advice about being self-aware and designing with empathy.
I'd define it as: Someone who's tastes an opinions lie outside general societal consensuses.
Overall, I wanted to get across that awareness of our own bias and opinions can make for better experiences :)