Creativity Gets the Boot

Read an article in the New York Times today about the role of department store creative directors and how they’re loosing their jobs—kind of end of an era. As the position is described in the article, the creative directors are responsible for scouting new designers and generally keeping the store fresh and giving it character. Um, and they’re getting rid of these people? With few exceptions department stores are anything but fresh and charismatic. They all look the same and sell the same brands and products—thus the price wars and one-day sales.