by Kelly Joseph
Who are consumers? Everyone! We all consume food, clothes and experiences. Businesses need to know who is buying and using their products – the more they know the better they can provide their customers with the right product and know how to advertise to them.
Don’t forget to submit your creations or post online and tag @natsatclub and @mmufandbsaturdayclub
Overview
In this project you’ll be understanding different consumers for different brands, identifying who we are as a consumer and creating a consumer ‘selfie’ board.
Materials needed
- Paper (A4 and/or A3)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Magazines/newspapers
- Photos (optional)
- Coloured pens/pencils
Activity part one – Knowing your Consumers
What sort of things do businesses want to know about us? Almost everything! But here are a few to start:
- Our age
- Our interests and hobbies
- What we watch
- What we listen to
- What we read
- How much we spend
- Where we shop
- Where we go on holiday
For the below brands, write down at least 5 things about the type of person who shops with these brands.
Other things to consider are:
- How would you advertise to them? Do you think they use social media or more traditional types of media?
- If you had to pick a celebrity to advertise their clothes, who would you pick?
Spend only 5 minutes on each
Activity part two – Starting your Board
Create a mind map about you, Consider the points we mentioned earlier:
- Your age
- Your interests/hobbies
- What you watch
- What/who you listen to
- What you read
- Where you shop
- Where you go on holiday
[15 minutes]
Activity part three – Creating your Board
Now, using your mind map, start to find images that represent the words. For example, if you like reading you might use an image of a pile of books.
Now you have your images, start to lay them out on your A3 piece of paper. Think about layout, look at the examples for ideas on how to present your work. Be selective with your images, you don’t have to use all of them. If able maybe you want to include a picture of yourself? Do you want to add any words?
This is my ‘selfie’ consumer board. What sort of things do you think I’m interested in?
Further Development
- What clothing brand would consider you their consumer?
- Design a collection for this brand.
- Create a consumer board for your favourite brand.
- Pick a brand you don’t shop in and research them – who is their consumer?
Thank you for taking part in the Manchester Fashion Institute’s Fashion&Business Saturday Club Workshop.
Submit pictures of your final boards or post online and tag @natsatclub and @mmufandbsaturdayclub
Contributed by Kelly Joseph, Manchester Fashion Institute Saturday Club
Kelly Joseph is the tutor at Manchester Fashion Insitute’s Saturday Club and is also Programme Support Tutor on the BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion course.
“My interests lie within sustainable fashion and I have previous experience as co-creator for Manchester based, ethical fashion co-operative Stitched Up.”
You can follow the Manchester Club on instagram @MMUFandBSaturdayClub