Stylization, in my definition, involves mimicking one object as another or substituting the characteristic properties of one object for those of another. I have a straightforward approach to stylization: I do not use it.
For clients requesting a business card shaped like something (a tooth for a dentist, a tie for a lawyer), I ask them to return when they have a project for me.
Stylization as a technique is a precursor to kitsch, so it is crucial to carefully monitor taste and professional maturity. To better understand, imagine stylization as walking down the street not in typical attire but as a banana or a hotdog.
The cheapest, cost-free, and most senseless technique is designed for a sudden amusement from an "unusual" discovery, such as combining a shawarma with a blanket, a croissant with a lamp, or an electrical outlet with a nose. To me, this is like a souvenir display in a collective farm, and it has no relevance to my work.
<aside> <img src="/icons/flash_gray.svg" alt="/icons/flash_gray.svg" width="40px" /> The era of skeuomorphism was the most challenging for me. While I could tolerate an icon of a camera resembling an actual camera lens, a wooden cabinet as a background for audiobooks was a bit too much.
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At the same time, I'm glad that people find joy in such nonsense. Maybe there's a boost in endorphins or a momentary spike in serotonin for them. I don't mind; if it brings them pleasure. I disposed of all the kitsch I received without regret and asked people not to bring gifts. In my circle, candles were shaped like candles, microphones like microphones, and chairs like chairs.
I am interested in new forms with improved ergonomics, enhanced functionality, cost-effective production, and innovative materials. About 30 years ago, enthusiasts who liked phones shaped like lips might have wanted future phones to look like lips, but fortunately, iPhones were not designed by them.
There's a series of works that I consider teetering on the edge of stylization. This includes homey humor or songs for a festive gathering—things that are best kept away from the public eye. While these may not precisely fit the definition of stylization, they definitely ring a bell.
It's extremely rare to come across items that, by formal criteria, fall under stylization but gracefully enter my world of forgiveness due to their elegant craftsmanship. For instance, the shoehorn "Beetle-Batman" fits this category.
<aside> <img src="/icons/flash_gray.svg" alt="/icons/flash_gray.svg" width="40px" /> "Batman” or “orderly" was the term used for military servants, whose duties included assisting officers in removing their military footwear.
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