The concept of mainstream vs. underground relevant in contemporary design is that Kindred visual artists, musicians, and designers developed means of expression that helped define the culture’s distinct characteristics. But for Underground bands they led the way in a commercial whirlpool.  The establishment still disapproved of the aesthetics. It was difficult to be terrified of something that had become so integrated into the mass marketplace. Very little emerging from the underground fails to turn up in the mainstream. 

 I’ll be addressing Stephen Treffinger, it regards to THE VICTORIAN naturalist that inveterate collector of specimens, cataloguer of species, and keeper of sketch filled notebooks is back. In the pictures of the article “Field guide: contemporary design with a naturalist’s bent” it represents the Moving through the shop’s appealing jumble of antique lab equipment and furniture, taxidermied birds and beasts, and other curiosities provides a palpable sense of what it was like to live in an era when our understanding of the natural world was dramatically expanding. 

   The recent growth of festivals, media, and events associated with the design industry has had a major impact on the way we conceive, produce, distribute and consume design. However, the network of actors involved has changed, as has the trade of expertise and services they offer. It includes photographers, commissioning agents, curators, patrons, journalists, and PR personnel amongst others.  In the article, “The Commodity of Trade in Contemporary Design” it mentions that the authors have developed two tools for analyzing contemporary design processes and the trade occurring in commissioned design projects that will be presented in the paper. The two authors Giovanni Innella and Paul Anthony Rodgers expand the notion of conventional design process, and highlight the key roles that media and event organizers now play in contemporary design.  

However, the conceptual posts exist in most areas in design. Wether it’s  in a pure state, usually for exhibitions, or fused with more commerical goals and able to buy.

                                                 Work cities that I used

The Commodity of Trade in Contemporary Design by Giovanni Innella & Paul Anthony Rodgers 

Field guide: Contemporary design with a naturalist’s bent by Stephen Treffinger

Speculative Everything – Design, Fiction, and Social Dreaming by Dunne, Anthony ; Raby, Fiona