https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a40eNfER6WFhxYBZkr7VxES_mY44ynitKWgtoFhehyw/edit
Author: trinnyliu
2nd draft 4 page paper
Rough Draft
Annotated Bibliography
Project Proposal
Corporation Brand Blog on Free People
I chose to focus my corporation brand blog on the corporation URBN, but more specifically one of their brands, Free People. This brand means a lot to me: it encapsulates the excitement of high school girls eagerly shopping for the perfect dress to impress their date at the school dance. I enjoyed my shopping experience as the bohemian vibes of the store and unique style of the clothes made me feel like “I am not like other girls”. However, Free People focuses on so much more than just pleasing the materialistic needs of consumers.
In 1970, Dick Hayne opened the first Free People store on the streets of Pennsylvania, hoping to provide college-students with second-hand clothing, jewelry, and home decor in a fun environment (urbn.com). Soon, the demand was so overwhelming, Dick had to separate the businesses, the company expressed itself through different lines: Ecote, bulldog, Anthropologie, etc.
In 2001, the founder realized his deep-rooted inspiration from Free People and launched the first Free People store (as a brand) in 2002, reminding “[him] of [his] favorite images, those of femininity, courage, and spirit” (freepeople.com) The company envisions their customers as one who is “… intelligent, creative and confident. She pushes the limits. She is a strong spirit, guided by the beat of her own drum. As feminine as she is edgy, there is no one else like her” (urbn.com). Indeed, every time I visit a store I see all sorts of clothing articles fitting the needs and styles of different customers: florals, stripes, solids, sporty, and much more. The company’s mission is to” offer her countless options within our own Free People collection so that even if she takes her best pal shopping, they won’t come out looking at all alike” (urbn.com). I appreciate the expansive spectrum of products they carry, and this also shows how much the company values the individuality of the customers and their wish to bring out the uniqueness in each and every person.
Furthermore, Free People also prides themself on how they impact the community. The brand emphasizes their desire as”[they] want [their] customers to immerse themselves in the glow of who [Free People is] while becoming a significant part of [the Free People] story” (urbn.com). The brand partners with a non-profit organization, Girls Inc., that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold — furthering their mission statement by getting involved in the community. Furthermore, Free People values sustainability. With their Skip a Bag program, Free People saved 514,000 bags from hitting landfills in 2019 while offering reusable cloth bags made out durable, polypropylene fabric (urbn.com). Furthermore, Free People introduced a new, sustainable activewear line made of ECONYL: a yarn using 100% regenerated nylon fiber made of discarded waste collected from landfills and oceans –6.3 lbs of carbon-dioxide emissions is avoided for every pound of ECONYL!
The stores are decorated with cozy furniture, creating a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere. I feel like I am visiting someone’s home because of the sense of familiarity I get from the inviting experience (which probably makes me spend more money). It is a store where each and every single one of my friends can find something they feel confident in. The brand’s mission statement of highlighting the femininity, courage, and spirit of the powerful woman, and its dedication towards sustainability makes me feel good when shopping at Free People.
Response to “Let My People Go Surfing”
The author of the Let My People Go Surfing, Yvon Chouinard, lives a very humble and adventurous life. His passion-driven lifestyle remains as a constant variable throughout his decision making process. His interests include hiking and fishing, and “mastering an activity at 80 percent proficiency” then deciding to pursue if his interest still stands. Chouinard invests time building his own hiking gear that is more convenient and efficient for his hiker friends and him, but also to benefit the hiking community in general. He allows himself to indulge in nature and spend time to figure out what he truly wants to spend his time doing.
The author finds ways to pursue his interests and live the life he wants. He advocates for the idea of never saying “no” to an idea before investing time and effort to make it happen. His mindset creates a positive atmosphere for him and the people around him Even when Chouinard started his business, he never focused on the profit of the company– he was satisfied by the little revenue his company brought him to barely support his hiking trips. When Chouinard realized that his business is impacting his beloved mountains, he immediately looked for an alternative by improving the hiking equipment without affecting the raw element of nature. His endeavoring lifestyle allows for him to chase after his dreams without worries, allowing the other elements to fall in place. simply focusing on what he enjoys, he coordinates aspects revolving his life to supplement his interests.
Meme Assignment
Binge drinking, excessive consumption of alcohol in a short amount of time, presents itself as an issue for many college students. According to Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (cdc.gov), “[binge drinking] typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours” — many students fall under this definition when engaging in the act of “pregaming”, usually before a social event or function. The mandatory program, AlcoholEDU, anonymously surveys students for the reason they drink: be more social, to have fun, feel more confident/attractive, and etc. However, these reasons do not serve as excuses for unnecessary participation in binge drinking.
More than 21% of Chico’s adult population are guilty of heavy drinking; furthermore, over 34% of deaths due to car accidents are related to alcohol — giving Chico the title of “the drunkest city in the state of California” (foxla.com). Under the impression of a “party school”, students may feel peer pressured or even willingly consume alcohol. However, the consequences of binge drinking not only puts the individual in danger, but the people around them as well. Students should take action in preventing binge drinking by saying “NO!” to peer pressure, avoiding drinking-games, and simply removing themselves from the environment. Sometimes, individuals can even acknowledge themselves for the progress they made, or eliminate the consumption of alcohol altogether to avoid the chance of binge drinking. With the lack of possible danger binge drinking can bring upon the individual and environment, Chico can become a safer place for everyone.
In-class Participation
Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, commonly through the rhetorical devices of ethos, pathos, and logos. It interacts with the audience through credibility of source/speaker, emotional connections, and logic. The speaker intends to persuade the audience with the truth and not deception. Rhetoric relates to critical thinking as once an individual understands the use of these rhetorical devices, misleading arguments and such can be easily avoided. Furthermore, it makes an individual able to better present themselves as a speaker.
trinny's blog 