The toy, kitsch and consumer society

Abstract

The relationship between toy design and architecture is examined. Both phenomena play the role of a link between the past and the future. The authors have conducted a study of a large array of toy images offered in today’s market. It is shown that toy design is dominated by kitsch. The signs and content of kitsch are measured by hardware methods with the help of special computer programmes. Kitsch, which toy manufacturers inculcate in the next generation, is a serious threat to the development of cities as places of communication.

Keywords

• psychology
• architecture
• design
• toys
• kitsch