The Importance of Gender Representations in Spanish Cinema

The different works of art – from paintings to literary pieces – present prevailing themes in the society. They act as small fragments of a comprehensive historical narrative. These fragments, though fictional, are still able to reflect true scenarios, real life stories from which they are based upon. To a certain extent, films serve the same purpose as any work of art – they present the artist’s feelings, thoughts, and reflections on whatever is happening in the society at the time of its creation. The different elements in any film – the social setting and the gender representations do not only bring life to its plot. Rather, these thematic elements of the film contribute fully on its general appeal and overall impact to its audiences. In this paper however, the researcher will only focus on one of these elements – gender representation. Putting a specific focus on this study, this paper will only explore the importance of these representations in Spanish cinema. To perform this purpose, common gender representations in some Spanish films will be revealed in relation to: how it reflects the prevalent issues in Spanish society; how it adds to the film’s appeal to local audiences; and how it provides an imagination of Spanish identities to local and international movie goers. 1st Assumption: Gender representations grant the films the ability to reflect the prevailing issues in the Spanish Society In the past few years, domestic violence has been a prevalent social problem in Spanish communities. Reports show that there is a high count of women who are suffering from the violence and physical abuse posed by their husbands and partners. Based on the report of Emma Daly in Christian Science Monitor, the Spanish society is suffering from a â€Å"machismo culture† where women are treated as inferior to men. (Daly, 1998) In relation to this important social issue, many films also carry domestic violence as significant thematic components in their plots. In such films, women are portrayed as the victims of their husbands’ consummation of their masculinity in a largely patriarch society that equates women to second-class citizens. Solo mia (2001) is one of the films which reflect this social issue. The movie puts into film a typical story that takes place not only in Spain but also in many societies where a once loving and tender relationship goes wrong. As shown in the movie, the relationship gradually transforms into a tale of obsession which prompts the husband to repeatedly subject his wife to domestic violence. (Saenz, 2009) The same social issue envelopes the film â€Å"Princesas† (2005) and El Bola (2000). In the first film, a prostitute suffers from the violence introduced by her lover while in the latter shows that children can also become victims of what is known in Spain as â€Å"Terrorismo Familiar†. Basically, Spanish cinema reflects not just the fact that domestic violence prevails in the real Spanish community. Rather, gender representations in the film also show that such type of violence affects women of all ages, and in different social classes. With the men presented mostly as the perpetrator of the violence, the films further shows that men in Spain often act adversely against the inferior women. nd Assumption: Gender representation increases the film’s appeal to local audiences by reinforcing nationalism and providing greater grounds for linkage and identification. Since Spanish cinema reflects prevalent values, ideas, and practices in the Spanish community, it gives the film a more localized appeal. The tendency to magnify one’s identification with t heir culture further increases the movies’ appeal to the local moviegoers. Basically, most of the Spanish films pose a generic thematic distinction from the mainstream Hollywood movies. While most Hollywood movies take the themes of liberal women who are posed as office workers and even successful professionals, most Spanish movies reflect on the importance of motherhood – a local theme that is common in many traditional patriarchal societies. Solas is one of the most famous films that glorify maternity as the only way for a woman to achieve real fulfillment and happiness. The film revolves around the story of Rosa and her daughter Maria. The two, both victims of domestic violence, are reunited after several years of being apart. Rosa has become a passive victim to her husband’s abuse but Maria refuses to surrender to the despotism and instead, decides to live in the city. However, Maria inevitably ends up in the same situation as that of her mother – being physically and emotionally abused by her boyfriend. To a certain degree, the portrayal of motherhood in the story works in two contrasting ways. Rosa retains the profile of the typical mother. She is portrayed as the submissive and self sacrificing woman who is willing to endure overwhelming hardships – the abuse of her husband – in order to potentially â€Å"save† her family from falling apart. However, she fails as Maria separates herself from the threat that her father poses. Fortunately, in line with Rosa’s angelic qualities as a mother, she is able to â€Å"save† her daughter from leading a devastating lifestyle through her captivating and unrestrained love and care. Following these implications, motherhood is presented in the story as a self-denying role which women must embrace not only to provide a certain sense of accomplishment but also to gain the ability to â€Å"save† people whom they care for. Motherhood is also presented as a Spanish woman’s way toward salvation and recovery as depicted in Maria’s character. Maria’s relationship with his boyfriend reflected a destructive scenario which led to her alcoholism. However, as Maria became pregnant, that signaled her positive transformation from an angry and hostile character to another motherly figure that’s kind, passionate, loving, and forgiving. In essence, Maria’s motherhood became her escape from the destructive factors that formerly consumed her life. Such gender representation embedded in the plot of the movie allows the local audiences – particularly women – to relate to characters and watch the film. 3rd Assumption: Gender representation in Spanish films offers both local and international audiences with an imagination of Spanish identities Gender representation forms a significant part of the local Spanish cultures and traditions. As films carry gender representation which is reflective of a distinct cultural identity, they then achieve significance as cultural accounts. The fact that the movies provide both local and international audiences with an idea of what comprises a real Spanish community qualifies them as relevant educational and enriching artifacts. In addition to that, these artifacts not only promote an imagination of Spanish identities. Rather, the Spanish movies also help people of other cultures in learning, appreciating, and understanding Spanish culture. For example, in the film â€Å"Coma agua para chocalate (1992) or ‘Like water for chocolate’†, the gender representations mirror how important must both men and women adhere to old superstitions and traditions. The film shows that marriage and love are restricted by old Spanish traditions as a young couple – Pedro and Tita – could not get married simply because Tita’s oldest sister has to get married first and because Tita had to first fulfill her domestic roles and â€Å"responsibilities† to her mother. Gender representation in La casa de los espiritus (1993) or â€Å"The House of the Spirits† also offers a glimpse at Spanish culture. This film shows the importance of social class as a local rags-to-riches patriarch does everything to prevent his daughter from marriage a lower class worker who fights for socialism. The same theme inspires the film, The Dog in the Manger (1995). In the movie, a Countess falls in love with his secretary. However, social status stands on their way. Furthermore, this gap in social position increasingly widens as the Countess, as a woman is expected to be submissive to societal expectations. Conclusions Gender representations become important elements to Spanish cinema mainly because they reflect prevailing issues and themes in a natural Spanish community. As these themes are reflected and portrayed, the films gain the local audience’s attention through the formation of linkages and character identification. Gender representations embedded in the plot also qualify the films as cultural artifacts that offer audiences with a glimpse of Spanish culture. On the whole, gender representation promotes the appreciation of not just Spanish movies, but of the Spanish culture as well. Through the gender roles promoted in the films, both local and international audiences learn how Spanish culture must be understood and appreciated.

Afterlife Essay

Death is unexplainable. It happens to everyone, everything, and its uncontrollable. Because of this, many have their own interpretations of death. In Ingmar Bergman’s movie, The Seventh Seal, death is portrayed to be deceitful and humorous. The film also reveals that the nature of death is irrelevant to our expectations. Since death is inevitable, deceitfulness is certain. At the beginning of the movie, the Knight talks Death into a game of chess to prolong his life and even have the chance to escape death all together. Throughout the film, the Knight and Death proceed with their game when time is found between the two. At one point away from their match, the Knight goes to a church searching for answers from God and sees a priest at a confession window. The Knight goes to ask the priest for answers and admits that he is playing a game of chess with Death. He then foolishly confesses his strategy to win his chess match, only to find out that Death was actually the priest. Death then tells the Knight, â€Å"I’ll remember that,† as he disappears with a smirk and the Knight’s strategy to win the game. This is not the only time that Death used his dishonesty and trickery to make sure his job was complete to take people’s lives though. Another instance in the movie is where a witch is going to be burned. She is seen throughout the story as being possessed by the devil and being avoided by everyone except for the soldiers, paid to transport her to the burning. When she is in the final minutes of her life, the knight asks the soldiers the answer of why her hands were crushed and why she is being burned. The soldiers then answered him, â€Å"Ask the monk. As the Knight turned around to see who the monk was, he saw Death dressed in his dark cloak with a grin on his face knowing he has fooled the soldiers into believing he was a monk, and that the witch must die. Just these two instances show death’s deceitfulness to make sure people know death in unavoidable. Death is also depicted as having a sense of humor in The Seventh Seal as well. When Death and the Knight first begin their chess match, the Knight grabs one black and white piece from the board and put them behind his back and exchanges them from hand to hand. He then held both hands out and Death chose one to determine his color for the game. As he picked the hand he drew the black piece determining his color. With his dry sense of humor Death said, â€Å"Very appropriate, don’t you think so? † with a pale grin on his face. Another occurrence of Death’s sense of humor is when it is Skat’s time to die. The musician was on top of a tree and Death showed up with a saw and started to saw it down showing the variety of ways he takes lives to the afterlife. When doing this, Skat is trying to reason with Death by telling him that he can’t die because he has a performance. Once again, Death answers in a monotone voice, â€Å"Then it’s canceled because of death. † Skat then brings up his contract into the dialogue but Death abruptly replies, â€Å"Your contract is terminated,† showing his wittiness as people reason their life with him. Death’s conversation with the people he his taking lives from is emotionally irrelevant which shows his dry wit to the occasion. Given that death is certain, when people are approached by it, they ask for forgiveness and mercy from God. Everyone wants to know the answer if there really is a heaven and a hell, if there really is an afterlife, but nobody is certain. That is why the nature of death is irrelevant to our expectations. On one instance in the movie, the Knight is talking to Death and asks God for knowledge, only to have Death answer, â€Å"He remains silent. † The knight then cries, â€Å"I call out to Him in the dark but no one seems to be there,† only to have Death reply, â€Å"Perhaps no one is there. † This is not the only time death answers the knight’s questions. At the end of the chess game between the two, the knight once again asks death to divulge his secrets about life after death, but Death answers, â€Å"I have no secrets,† and that he has nothing to tell. To question death is impractical. We demand answers when death arrives but receive none. Death is just another step in the circle of life. We can’t expect answers at the end of our life when we didn’t search for them when we were alive. Still today, Bergman’s interpretation of death is highly respected by others, and even used by present directors. Of course death is deceitful; it has to be or people would live forever. There is no escaping it. For when your time comes, your life will flash before your eyes. Evidently, it will be of your blissful memories with friends and family. You should die with a pleasant smile on your face. That is why death is described as being humorous in Bergman’s film. Since death is the one thing in life that no one can gain knowledge on, everyone expects answers when their time has come. Do they receive them? Death knows nothing about existence after him; it’s just another step in life. Do you strive for answers about afterlife, or will you ignore till your time comes?

Muhannad †Arabia, in 600CE Essay

In Arabia, in 600CE, two large tribes called the Quaraish and the Hanifs inhabited a sacred city known as Makkah. The most important tribe in Makkah at this time were the Quaraish. The Quaraish consisted of merchants who had control over the Ka’bah (an ancient temple) and Makkah’s water supply. This tribe organised protection for the merchants who travelled through Makkah. The Quaraish made profit out of the traders who passed through Makkah and the provisions given to pilgrims who came there to see and worship the idols. The Hanifs were the other major tribe who inhabited Makkah. They consisted of moral tribesmen who despised the Quaraish’s selfishness and greed for money. This group of people were very holy and believed that there must only be one God. They believed that this one Supreme Power created everyone and everything and the worship of idols was an insult to him. They detested people’s devotion to icons of different Gods such as Al-Lat (the life-force). The Hanif’s were sacred people who prayed regularly and often sought solitude to worship God. They believed that this one God had sent prophets such as Moses to Earth to try and purify people’s hearts and bring them closer to God. MUHAMMAD’S EARLY LIFE Muhammad was grandson of Abd-al-Muttalib. Abd-al-Muttalib was a member of the Hanif’, and a man famous for his devotion to God and for his visions. His son, Abdullah, married a woman called Aminah, who was soon pregnant with his child when Abdullah suddenly died. The child that was born was named Muhammad. When Muhammad was born he was given to a Bedouin woman called Halimah as all Quaraish children at that time were. This was done so that children would be brought up away from the disease and impurities in the air in the city. At the age of six Muhammad was returned to Aminah who proceeded to die later that year. Luckily Muhammad’s devoted grandfather, Abd-al-Muttalib, took him in and cared for him until he died two years after that. Now Muhammad was passed onto his uncle, Abu Talib, who was a wealthy merchant. Living under the care of his uncle, Muhammad became a loyal and hard-working shepherd. LEGENDS Many legends have been created about Muhammad and his life. These legends were created to make Muhammad look greater and more powerful than he was. During his lifetime, Muhammad disapproved of all these myths about him and denied all of them. One of the legends about Muhammad was that he had his heart removed from his body by two angels. They then weighed his heart against other men but even with the whole community’s hearts weighed against his, his still weighed the most. Muhammad insisted that he did not and could not perform miracles; he was just a devoted follower of God. MUHAMMAD’S PERSONALITY Muhammad grew up to be a thoughtful young man who was kind and decisive. He continuously impressed the merchants that he worked with including Khadijah, a wealthy widow who employed Muhammad to supervise her caravan trade. When Muhammad was just 25 years old, Khadijah asked him to marry her; he accepted. Despite Khadijah being 15 years older than Muhammad, she became the love of his life until her death 25 years later. During her lifetime, Khadijah stood by Muhammad all the way and supported him in every possible means. When she died she left Muhammad with four daughters, Zainab, Ruqaiyyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah. Muhammad’s two sons, Qasim and Abdullah, unfortunately both died in infancy. Zaid ibn Haritha, the slave boy of the household, was devoted to Muhammad. When Zaid’s father found him after years of searching, he offered to buy him back. Muhammad left the choice of what to do up to Zaid himself, and he decided to stay with Muhammad. Muhammad was so touched by Zaid ibn Haritha’s decision to stay with him that Muhammad immediately released him and adopted him as his own son. Ali, son of Muhammad’s uncle, Abu Talib, was another child in the household. Muhammad chose to look after Ali when Abu Talib fell under hard times. THE NIGHT OF POWER In the year 610CE, Muhammad was once again meditating during Ramadan when an event happened which changed his life forever. Muhammad was 40 years old at the time and was praying alone in a cave on Mount Hira when he suddenly heard a voice calling his name and commanding him to proclaim or recite. Unfortunately Muhammad was illiterate and could not read the scroll of silk which he saw ahead of him. Suddenly the angel Jibril appeared to him. This was the same angel who had appeared to prophet Ibrahim and to Mary and Jesus in times past. Now Jibril was near to Muhammad and he ordered him to read the writing on the scroll. Muhammad told the angel that he could not read the writing for he was unlettered, but the angel ordered him again and again to read the scroll and Muhammad began to feel the tension building up within him. Suddenly he felt something seize him, it gripped him so tightly that he could not breathe and he thought he would die. But suddenly Muhammad knew in his heart what the words said, and he whispered them hoarsely: ‘Proclaim! In the name of your Lord and Sustainer who created Man from a clot of congealed blood, speak these words aloud! Your lord is the Most Generous One – He who has taught the Pen, Who reveals directly Things beyond human knowledge.’ Muhammad had been chosen as a messenger of God because he was a devout man who worshipped the Lord. After Muhammad received this message he had to wait 2 years until he received another. This was God’s way of testing Muhammad and seeing whether he would be tempted to tell everyone about what he had seen. When Muhammad reached home after his shocking revelation, he told his wife, Khadijah, about what had happened. She went to her wise 100-year-old cousin, Waraqa ibn Nufal, for advice and after he was quite sure that Muhammad’s story was truthful, Khadijah became the first person to believe the message Muhammad revealed. The second person to believe Muhammad’s story was Ali, the next was Zaid and the next person to believe him was his close friend Abu Bakr. Two years later, Muhammad was still fearful and anxious about what the message might mean, when the angel Jibril appeared to him again. The angel said to him: ‘O you wrapped – arise and warn! Glorify God! Make your garments pure! Give up all uncleanness. Give, without expecting any return. For the sake of your Lord, endure with patience!’ Now that Muhammad’s time of waiting was over, he could go out and tell everyone about the messages he was receiving. THE REVELATIONS Most of the messages that Muhammad received from God after the Night of Power came to him in visions. They all shared the following similarities: – Muhammad knew when they were about to happen. – Each revelation was attended by dramatic phenomena, such as shaking or trances. – Each one made the prophet feel close to death and that he was leaving his body and he might not re-enter it. – At the end of each revelation Muhammad would appear as usual again and he would repeat what he had been taught. Sometimes Muhammad would lose consciousness during his visions. Sometimes he would receive the message instantly and sometimes Jibril appeared to Muhammad in the form of a man to transmit messages (not in visions). ABU TALIB AND KHADIJAH When Muhammad was 50 years old his uncle Abu Talib died. Abu Talib had looked after Muhammad all his life and had stuck by him even when many hated him. Muhammad had always been very close to his uncle who had protected him when he was vulnerable and his death made him depressed and very unhappy. At the end of this saddening year his beloved wife Khadijah also died at the age of 64. Although Muhammad was deeply upset by their deaths, he accepted that everyone dies eventually and he tried to carry on preaching in God’s name. THE NIGHT JOURNEY It was probably during this traumatic experience that Muhammad had an experience which changed his life forever. The Night Journey (or Laylat-ul-Mi’raj) was not recorded very accurately in the Qur’an and it is therefore hard to know exactly what happened in this event. When the prophet was asleep in his home in Makkah he was awoken by the angel Jibril. Muhammad then went with Jibril to Jerusalem riding on some kind of a Pegasus called Lightning. From Jerusalem, Jibril took Muhammad through the seven heavens and was shown paradise and hell. On his way through the heavens, Muhammad met and spoke to other prophets such as Isa and Musa. With Musa, Muhammad decided and set the number of times a day a Muslim should pray to God. It was finally fixed at 5 times a day although Muhammad originally thought 50 times was a sufficient amount. Eventually the prophet Muhammad travelled on with Jibril to the highest heaven of all: the throne of God. When he arrived here, neither Muhammad nor the angel could approach any closer and he experienced a sensation which he never again felt or could describe properly. All he could see was pure light and he was aware only of great peace as time stilled and thoughts and feelings disappeared. The experience soon ended though and Muhammad had to once again travel to Earth. To Muhammad’s astonishment, when he got home, he found that everything had remained exactly as he had left it. The place he had previously lain was still warm and the cup he had knocked over was still emptying. This experience brought great confidence and strength to Muhammad and it encouraged him to carry on with the knowledge that God was always with him. Muslims believe that this night was one of great importance, as it showed them what the ascension to Heaven would be like. It showed them that the soul abandons the weak and dishonest nature of the human body and you travel to a place where only pure bliss is possible. MUHAMMAD’S DEATH In 632CE, Muhammad fell ill with a fever and violent headaches. He was only 63 but he became weak and tired. He asked his wives if he could be moved into his youngest wife, Aishah’s room. Even though he was feeble he still attempted to reach the praying place outside every day until his death. When he could not lead the prayers anymore, his good friend Abu Bakr took his place. On his last day on Earth, Muhammad, after leading the dawn prayer, lay in Aishah’s arm and said, â€Å"Lord grant me pardon. I have chosen the most exalted company, in paradise†; then he died. Muhammad was buried where he died, in Aishah’s room, and his tomb is still there even today. ISLAM The religion known as Islam was begun by Muhammad and it is still continued today. Since that day when Muhammad went on The Night Journey, Muslims have kept the number of times to pray each day at 5 times. All Muslims believe that God is responsible for every part of human life and he knows and sees all. Every Muslim tries to lead a peaceful life and pass the test set for all souls on Earth.

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See the document i send you - Essay Example the dining section at the center, filled with 14 eating men, all seated around the table, one serving lady situated between the first and second men on the left hand corner of the back row table and another lady entering from the kitchen at the right side, with a bowl of food cupped in her hands and held just above her chest. The kitchen, situated at the right side of the paining shows two ladies cooking, one facing the viewers and the other’s back revealed. On the left corner of the painting, an entrance to the dining area was depicted with three men in view: the farthest man on the left holding a pail by his right hand, one man standing just outside the door was combing his hair, and another apparently washing his face from a wash tub situated on the outer dining wall. A picture frame of horses is seen on the dining wall, and a kitchen cupboard that contains intricate details of sets of porcelain neatly arranged in panels. The colors and shades of brown, cream, light burgundy provide majority of the paintings hues with the dining room covered in matte light brown daintily printed wall paper. A checkered red and white pattern of the table cloth appears with clothes of the men predominantly blues, gray, offwites shirts tucked in denim overalls. The people were painted in three dimensional representations where viewers could clearly distinguish positions, roundness, proximities and juxtaposition of shapes, objects and forms. All these details contribute to the painters’ intent to manifest a jovial mood provided by a feast through sharing dinner served by women of the region. The backdrop is painted in light hues depicting a day event. The composition was clearly organized with balance manifested in three sections of the painting: the left outside entrance to the dining room (where a barn with two horses appear at the left side most portion), the center of the painting is the focal point – the dining room; and the right side is the kitchen. The left entry to

Social Networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

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Cross-cultural Training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

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Baytree Procurement for MSA Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5750 words

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Global Issues - Essay Example In the Hurricane Katrina, one of the international disasters, the role of the state in providing human security came under sharp criticism. The state failed to provide the required human security, resulting to the severe impact of the Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina is one of the largest natural disasters that US has encountered in its history. The hurricane left over 1800 people dead and ten thousands were left homeless and lacking basic essentials, making it the deadliest and most destructive disasters in the US. Moynihan notes that the response plan for the disaster was integrative and involved both the intergovernmental and international actors.1 However, it is indisputable that the US government was responsible for preparing for such a calamity as well its alleviation as part of its obligations to provide human security within the country. However, in the disaster response plan, the government was inefficient in collecting the bodies of the victims as well as coordinating the international actors. The whole process was punctuated with disagreements especially on the assignment of the rescue responsibilities. Resultantly, the state was unable to act swiftly to reduce losses and to rehabilitate those who lost property in th e disaster. From this perspective, it is apparent that the government failed to provide human security. A problem-solving attitude is crucial for any government that intends to secure its public to future life risks. The US is one of the countries that have emphasized on the need for disaster planning including recognition of its roles in preventing disasters and reduces loss in case of a happening. Katrina happened 3 years after the formation of the department of Homeland Security and one year after the formation of the Disaster response plan2. The purpose of the disaster response plan unit was to prepare for disaster management and to provide the public with security when such events

Ethics, Moral dilemmas, and the Law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2013 Assignment

Ethics, Moral dilemmas, and the Law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2013 - Assignment Example They will always be against the moral ethics of individuals. For instance, a patient suffering from a fatal disease may make a decision to take away his life or fail to disclose his illness to the family with an assumption that it would cause trauma and discomfort (Garber, 2008). It should be noted that, regardless of the current condition of the patient, the nurse still has no right to concede with the patient’s wish to attempt to take his life (Werth, 2013). Siding with the patient will give a clarification that he has accepted the obligation. Instead, the nurse should advice the patient that whatever their condition, it is just temporary and their status will change after some time. Abiding to wrong decisions is considered to be morally wrong. It is considered immoral to accept decisions after knowing that the intended decisions are not right. Morally upright human beings should not be submissive to a thought that goes against human dignity especially if a responsibility is laid in ones hands (Gowans, 1987). It is against the law of the society to accept the concept of an event of what is wrong, like failing to disclose information which is vital to the life of a person. Ethics will, therefore, entail the morals used in identifying what is right and what is wrong. Concerning medical fraternity, the practitioners should have the concept of telling the truth at whatever conditions and

Management, innovation and new technology Essay

Management, innovation and new technology - Essay Example In other words, technology is used to shape social life in one way or another. Therefore, it is difficult to think about a social life that is free from the influence of technology at the moment. According to Williams and Edge (1996), Social Shaping of Technology (SST) is a concept that claims that there are choices (conscious or unconscious) inherent in every individual that force him to think about innovation and creativity. The social shaping perspective emerged from a long-standing critique of crude forms of technological determinism (Edge, 1988). There is no point in thinking that innovation and creativity are generated only in the minds of wise people alone. In fact, these things are inherited in almost every human being. However, some forces are necessary to bring out the creativity and innovative ideas from the minds of people. As per the scientific principles, inertia is a human tendency. In other words, human has a tendency to stay in his present state as much as possible. A force is necessary to change his present state. Most of the people keep innovative ideas in their mind as long as the circumstances demand its use. Circumstantial forces usually help people to bring out their ideas. According to MacKenzie and Wajcman (1999), the social shaping of technology in most of the cases is a process in which there is no single dominant shaping force. In other words, multiple forces usually contribute to the social shaping of technology. This paper discusses how the social shaping perspective helps us to understand the social and organizational implications of technological change? Technology is changing day by day because of the rapid advancements in science. For example, analogue signals were used for the propagation of TV signals in the past. However, these signals were unable to provide better viewing abilities to the people. As a result of that people realised the

The Presentation Of Relationships In Poems Essay Example for Free

The Presentation Of Relationships In Poems Essay Compare a selection of poems you have enjoyed studying, explaining what interests you about the presentation of relationships. Poets often write about things they have strong emotions for, such as points of view and key moments in their ,or others, lives. One of the main things written about is relationships. Be it the relationship between the poet and a family member or relationships between objects and memories. Relationships and emotions are a complex thing to right about, because there is such a wide range. However everyone has had the experience of a relationship but some express there feelings in more complex way. Looking at Youre and Daddy by Sylvia Plath and Twelve Songs-number nine by W.H.Auden. You can clearly see there views on different relationships. There are many different types of relationships, as shown in the three poems I have choose to look at. In Youre Plath is writing about her unborn baby. At first it is very hard to understand because Plath does not write simply that she is pregnant instead she uses different phrases and metaphors, for instance my little loaf. When a women is pregnant the baby is sometimes referred to as a bun in the oven, so by saying loaf it shows that Plath is stating that she is pregnant. In addition, it is a symbolisation of a baby in the mothers womb, as a bun in the oven. By saying my little Plath is showing that the baby belongs to her and when you think of something little it is thought of as unable to look after itself as a baby is. To also show that she is pregnant Plath says feet to the stars this is because e when a baby is inside its mother it is upside down, therefore its feet would be to the stars, by picking the stars as were the babies feet are facing it shows that the baby can achieve anything, Plath could have chosen something like the sky which is close but she choose the stars because there so fare away and are hard to reach. She also shows that the baby has its whole life ahead of it, using the words clean slate, with your own face on it show that it is the baby and its life not hers. However in Audens poem Twelve Songs the relationship is stated more clearly. It is easier to understand because it uses all things associated with death Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. this shows very simply that an important person in Audens life is now dead and by saying mourners it shows there is a lot of sadness. If the reader did not yet understand what the poem was bout, when Auden states He Is Dead it is made very clear. The relationship written about in this poem is the one between himself and his dead partner. It is showing that now his partner has died nothing matters, which is why the poem is written so simply. It seems that he just cannot be bothered anymore, he is mourning an upset and does not see the point of using long and complicated words and sentences to get his sadness across. The last poem is another one by Plath, Daddy. This poem is very different to Youre in this poem Plath is angry, resentful and also in a state of mourning. However it is not the same kind of mourning as Auden talks about. Plath is angry and blames her father for not only dying but also for how her life has turned out. Black shoe, In which I have lived like a foot, For thirty years Plath is saying that she has lived a confined and desolate life because of her fathers death, and she blames him for dying. However Plath does not show the slightest trace that she is unhappy and missing her father because at any given opportunity Plath abuses her father, for example she refers to herself as a Jew and her father a Nazi, showing how different they were and it makes the reader believe that Plaths father was a cruel man, as this is how Nazis are stereotyped. Also at the end of the poem she writes Daddy, daddy you bastard Im through by using such a strong word such as bastard it shows juts how much she resents him and how strongly she hates him. In Daddy Plath uses many colours. These colours show Plaths feelings, for instance Black shoe, In which I have lived, For thirty years poor and white she is saying her father is a black shoe, black is associated with evil, depression and plainly sad things. Also by referring to herself as white she is showing the difference between herself and her father using contrasting colours and perhaps is showing the difference between him being evil and her being good. There is a trend set In Daddy in which everyone Plath did not like is made black, her husband is referred to as The Black Man which is showing him to be just as nasty as her father. However in Twelve Songs black is representing depression not anger, black cotton gloves Auden is using black as a symbol for mourning, as well he is saying that now the person has died there is no colour or light and all thats left is darkness and despair. The poems both have different uses for the same colour, not just black but white as well. Poor and White is used in Plaths Daddy so that she can show that she is different from her father by using strong, bold, contrasting colours. But in Twelve Songs white necks of the public doves white is used to show the light and normality of the situation, not to make sure that Auden is not compared with his dead partner. There are more colour used in Daddy showing a wide range of emotions that her father has nothing to do with. Also anything associated with her father or husband use violent, drastic colours. When she first mentions her husband she says The Black man who, Bit my pretty red heart in two she is using the colour black again but is using another colour, red, to show blood and un-happiness. The techniques used in writing poems are all different, Auden writes in a mature style and makes it very easy to understand he is upset and doesnt want to make it hard to understand. He wants everyone to know what hes feeling and how upset he is, he refers to his partner as He was my North, my South, my East and West Auden is saying that his partner was everything, he is referring to every direction to show his partner was always there. Auden also says My Noon, my Midnight, my Talk, my Song this is also showing that his partner meant everything to him. Plath however writes differently in Youre, she uses short sentences and lots of complicated similes and metaphors. She writes like this because she is so happy and excited about having a child that she cant think straight and just wants to get her feelings out, that is why it doesnt make perfect sense. Also I think the complexity of the poem reflects the complexity of her emotions at the time. Plath uses metaphor after metaphor where as Auden and in Daddy each paragraph is written about a specific point. Daddy is written most complex of all of the three poems, Plath appears to be writing as if she is still a ten year old child (the age she was when her father died), she uses childish words such as daddy and she writes like a child would speak Ich, Ich, ich, ich this means I,I,I,I. It shows that she is stuttering and having trouble saying her words like a child does. She is also stereotyping her father I thought every German was you which is childish because adults know her father was not every German but to her he was because of a childlike thought. This also explains why she writes ich. However it appears that Plath is not trying to make the reader feel sorry for her, by describing her father as a Nazi; you automatically think he is a bad person by describing herself as a Jew it seems she wants sympathy, which could mean she is manipulating the situation. The poems all have intentions behind the presentation of the poem. In Twelve Songs Auden just wants to express his grief, but in both of Plaths the poem does not easily show what is wanted to express. For instance in Youre it appears to be a page of metaphors but the actual meaning is how Plath is feeling about having a baby, this is not obvious in the poem and you have to read it a few times to truly understand the meaning. In Daddy the intention is hard to find and there are quite a few different interpretations, at first it appears that Plath is angry at her father and just puts on a brave front to stop her from hurting so much. Plaths poems seem to be really confusing and hard to understand but why? In Youre I think that Plath wrote down what she was feeling and to her what she wrote made perfect sense and didnt have a complicated feel to it. But Daddy seems to be made quite hard so that the reader has to read it a few times to understand it. Also it seems biased and plays Plath as a victim. Plath wrote Daddy as if she was a ten year old child, because the poem is written like a child it makes the readers feel sympathy towards Plath. Because its written like a child it means that it is hard for adults to understand it, to a child the colours and the description make sense, but to an adult its confusing because they change it so it has the meaning they want it to. To a child this poem could be nothing else but a poem about how Plath remembers her father but to us its about how his death affected her and the choices she made in life.

Outlining and Evaluating theories of relationship breakdown. Essay Example for Free

Outlining and Evaluating theories of relationship breakdown. Essay Stephanie Rollie and Steve Duck developed a model of the termination of close and intimate relationships in 2006.This model focuses on the processes that typify relationship breakdown , rather than being tied to distinct phases that people pass through . The 6 stages may appear to overlap or have common features but also serve very different purposes and ultimately have different consequences. Initially , the first stage is breakdown , this is where one of the partners decides that they cant stand it any more and only when this dissatisfaction manifests itself into a complete reality check of I cant stand this any more do we see a progression to the next stage of this stage theory. After the breakdown Rollie and Duck suggest that the second stage is something known as the intra-psychic process ; this is generally characterised as a social withdrawal and resentment with the dissatisfied partner focusing on their partners faults and a sense of being underbenifited. This normally coincides with a tendency to re-evaluate the relationship and consider alternatives. The next stage is something known as the dyadic processes ; this is where partners begin to talk with each other about the problems leading to the breakdown , sometimes this can result in reconciliation as the other partner accepts the validity of the dissatisfied partners views.( only if its constructive not destructive ) This stage could be seen as the make or break stage where issues are brought up like we need to stay together for the kids or just a general believe that things dont have the capacity to change. The fourth stage in this model is social processes ; the break up is aired and made public to friends and family , generally , advice and support and sought from people outside the relationship and alliances are created (e.g. you can do better than her) .Also in this stage things are discussed which tell us that a relationship is progressing deeply through the stage , for example child custody. The fifth stage is the grave dressing processes ; this focuses on the spectra of the relationship I.e. How it  started ?, what was it like ? How it went wrong . This stage also sees partners organize their post relationship lives and begin to publicise there own accounts of the breakdown. It is highly likely that not the same story is told to everybody as the ex partner may want to appear in a different light to different people , e.g. new potential partners. The final stage of Rollie and Ducks model is the resurrection process ; this is simply the final evaluation of the relationship and what the partners need to improve on or change for their next . Rollie and Ducks model is supported by observations of real-life break ups . Tashiro and Frazier 2003 surveyed undergraduates who had recently experienced the breakdown of a romantic relationship . They found that not only had the students experienced emotional distress but at the same time had new insight into what they wanted in their next relationship . This links support to the grave dressing and resurrection process as it is setting a new template for the future thus supporting 2 stages of the model and consequently lending support and credibility to the model. On the contrary the fact that it looked at undergraduates who are new into a scene with loads of people they dont know leaves this research open to scrutiny of age bias , the model even states that young adults tend to test the market and that the 6 stages mainly apply to older people , this doesnt necessarily reduce validity of the model but casts doubt on the generalisability of it The model doesnt consider individual differences which I believe plays a massive intrinsic and extrinsic role in this process. In 1998 Akert found the role people played in the dissolution of the relationship was the single biggest indicator of the impact of the dissolution experience . Concluding that the instigator suffered less of the negative consequences of break up (e.g. depression and loneliness) than the non instigator. The model generalises the emotional impact to both the non instigator and the instigator which in the majority of cases is unfair as someone is likely to be more hurt than the other , this decreases the reliability of the model because everybody behaves differently , its in our nature. Rollie and Ducks model is subject to heterosexual bias because it cannot be generalised to lesbian , gay , bisexual or transgender relationships . For example a homosexual couple that are not out as homosexual cannot go through the social processes stage as they wont have that social network due to the fact they are not out as homosexual. It clear that there are many more extraneous variables that mean that different people go though different forms of a relationship breakdown ,there is no norm. In congruency with this not all heterosexual couples act the same as a couple that have had a 3 week fling will break up differently to a couple in a marital relationship. The point I am making here is that the model needs to differentiate between the nature of a relationship before it can gain fully credibility through its application of stages. Culture plays a large role in this and there is definitely culture bias present in this model as it is only applicable to the western world , further from this it is only applicable to the western world to an extent due to religion , for example the catholic church frown upon divorce and will not allow a re marriage in that church after a divorce. In most cases a break up is not seen as unscrupulous or deviant in western culture but in others like collectivist tribal cultures where marriage is arranged and is a conjugate of 2 families rather than individuals a break up is non negotiable . Thus rendering the model culture bias as it is clearly only applicable to western society. Evolutionary psychologists attempt to explain relationship breakdown by 4 predictions , it is important to remember that these are prediction and not assumptions. As is does with the mate preferences this area of psychology differentiates between male and female aspects of breakdown. 1)Costs related to emotional investment; this says that the female rejectees will experience a greater loss associated with the emotional investment withdrawal due to the potent dependence on the resources of the man.(applicable to relationships involving older people) this comes from the hunger gather theory of evolution. 2)Increasing commitment ; This is the idea that males may manipulate the female knowing that she values emotional commitment extremely highly , it suggest that men who fear for there relationship will  attempt to increase commitment through a variety of ways , for example cohabitation , marriage or children. It is thought that this is to maintain sexual access to the female. Yet again this is based on ideas of evolution first outlined by Charles Darwin. 3)Infidelity ; This implies that males are more likely to be unfaithful and cheat on their partners due to their desire for sexual variation . This can also be a way of ending the relationship and forcing the rejectee to move on more swiftly. 4)Reputational damage ; the rejectors may be viewed as heartless by a jury of their peers and the rejectee may be portrayed as a helpless victim . It is thought that this could damage the rejectors reputation and consequently affect there chances of finding an alternative . To counter act this the rejector may deploy tactics like can we still be friends . Perilloux and Buss conducted research into this area in 2008 when they got 98 males and 101 females to fill in a questionnaire at a university . 69% of the participants where white Caucasian and the rest where from a range of ethnic backgrounds ( attempting to emit culture bias). They found that females more than males reported higher levels of costs associated with losing their partners emotional commitment . This supports the evolutionary approach as it shows that there is a cost relating to emotional investment specifically in women , as the prediction outlines. Also they found that more males than females reported success at preventing a relationship breakdown by increasing their level of commitment , again showing stacks of support for increasing commitment . Male rejectors more than female rejectors reported engaging in sex with other potential mates prior to the break up . Conclusively supporting the notion of infidelity. And finally rejectors indicated a higher cost of being seen as cruel and heartless compared to the rejectees , Fully supporting the idea of reputational damage. In terms of finding linked to the predictions Perilloux and Buss extrapolated evidence to support all , giving masses of credibility to the evolutionary predictions. On the contrary , this is a fairly socially sensitive explanation because it casts males in a bad light suggesting that they are unscrupulous through infidelity , the implications of this are that males may feel insulted by  the idea that they would sleep with somebody else to end a relationship , where in many cases men are just as faithful if not more faithful than women .Thus rendering the predictions socially sensitive.

History Of Penguin Paperback Books Arts Essay

History Of Penguin Paperback Books Arts Essay Penguin paperback books have become a constantly evolving part of British culture and design history since 1935 when the company was founded by Allen Lane. Lane came up with the concept of mass-producing inexpensive paperback editions of hardback titles. McLean (1952) mentions that the Penguin book venture is a standing reminder to manufacturers that the best is not too good for mass consumption. For the design of the books, Lane wanted to keep a consistent template for all the book covers to follow. He instructed his office Junior, Edward Young to devise a simple horizontal tripartite division of the covers using colours to signify the genre of each book orange for fiction, green for crime, dark blue for biography, cerise for travel and adventure and red for plays (Baines, 2005). The design featured contemporary typefaces at that time. Bodoni Ultra Bold was used for the publishers name Penguin Books and two weights of the relatively new (1927-8) Gill Sans Serif for the contents of the book cover and spine information (Baines 2005). First editions of Penguin paperback books (Adapted from Baines, 2005. p18-19) The fresh and modern appearance of the Penguin book covers was a major contributor to the commercial success. Other British publishers soon realised that design was an important feature for book covers and the demand for highly skilled designers increased (Doubleday, 2006b). Penguins design standards established uniformity and improved the overall aesthetic of books in Britain (Doubleday, 2006b). Despite the unity of their appearance there was twelve main front cover variations with some that contained illustrations. Lanes simple template for the Penguin books is derived to a degree from the Albatross book covers brought about in 1932. These designs were devised by Hans Mardersteig (McLeery, 2006). Lane was often quoted that he was trying to emulate the Albatross collection series which set the standard for early paperback book design (Doubleday, 2006b). Mardersteig designed the covers with the efficient system of colour-coded subject matter. Symmetry and centred sans-serif type placements were a feature. The size chosen for these books were 181 x 112 mm which adhered to the golden section of 1.61. Penguin books initially followed this size format which has become one of the two standard sizes within the paperback book industry, known as A and B format (Baines, 2005). The A format gives the reader a good line length for reading and a suitable compactness of the book (McLeery, 2006). Albatross book cover design series 1932 (Adapted from Genetic Joyce Studies, 2006) The bird inspired name and colophon, bright, plain coloured covers and focus on contemporary titles provided the influence for Lane a captivating standardised cover. Young, who went on to become the production manager at Penguin Books stated: it was time to get rid of the idea that the only people who wanted cheap editions belonged to a lower order of intelligence and that therefore cheap editions must have gaudy and sensational covers. (Joicey, 1993, p4) The classic design and layout of the Penguin books were to undergo a subtle, refined advancement under the direction of Jan Tschichold. Tschichold arrived at penguin in 1946 and asserted a more disciplined approach to the design (British Council Design Museum, 2006). The template for all Penguin books to follow consisted of designated positions for the title and authors name with a line between the two. The most notable change was the replacement of Gill Sans for Bodoni Ultra Bold for the PENGUIN BOOKS publisher title. He also drew the penguin symbol in eight variations. The oval or quartic that contains the publishers name is subtly more elegant and attractive than Youngs [Do a comparison in illustrator]. Some books included an illustration on the central horizontal band as shown on the Pelican book Sailing. Tschicholds Pelican Books follows the standardised layout with the inclusion of illustration and the blue colour that distinguishes Pelican. As Tschichold was already distinguished in the field of typography, great care was taken to optically letter-space all text on the covers and inside the book. Tschicholds experimental layout,left, and the revised design and layout, right (Adapted from Baines, 2005. p56 58) Tschichold studied a theory which claims to provide the most beautiful and harmonious proportions. It is was first documented in a book by Fra Luca Proportione(1509) and is said to have been the method laid down by Phidias, the architect of the Parthenon. It states clear rules of of the division of space. It is known as the Golden Section. The Golden Section is described as an aesthetic phenomenon. It is a division of space omnipresent throughout the universe. This division is an irrational ratio of 0.618:1. It represents every line, every surface, every volume whose elements are arranged in conformity with these proportions reflect the idea of Beauty (Br, 19xx). It has even been linked to the scale and proportion of human anatomy. It is all about expressing harmony. [Golden Section Diagram] The Golden section had great influence on Tschichold in his search for perfection in design and a greater awareness of proportion. He controlled the placement and size of elements with this ratio. The size of Penguin books were close but not precisely equal to the Golden Rectangle. It can be noted by (Br, 19xx) that the Golden Ratio can be substituted by another ratio e.g. 3:5, 5:8, 8:1, 13:21 etc. This is because such small differences are not picked up by the eye and can still be perceived as the Golden Ratio. The Golden section reassures that aesthetics is not subjective. That it is not an individual feeling and more a general taste that can be measured and mapped out. Tschichold commonly expressed the importance of constant adherence to standardised formats and composition rules. Soon after being offered the job at Penguin, Tschichold produced a set of rules known as the Penguin Composition Rules (Doubleday, 2006b) that were to be followed by Penguins typographers and printers to ensure the books followed the same style and that there were no variations. These rules, which ran into four pages long, standardized the formats and typographic specifications and unified the design of the book series (Doubleday, 2006a). Tschichold implemented a coherent grid system in conjunction with the Penguin Composition Rules that set the foundation for the trimmed page area, width and height of each book, visual cover size, type area on cover and spine, position and style of the spine label and lettering on labels for all the Penguin series (Doubleday, 2006). One of Tschicholds grids to control the design and production of Penguin books with detailed instructions (Adapted from Hurlburt, 1978. p70) This above illustration shows that Behind the simplest grid there is often a complex process of analysis (Hurlburt, 1978, p71). Hurlburt cites that many publishers treat the book cover design as a separate entity, often using different designers for the book to encourage advertising. But a better looking product will result when the overall design of a book is considered in the early stages. Magazines and newspapers designers always work in the sizes of the established format (Hurlburt, 1978). On the other a book designer may have the responsibility to select the size of shaped and pages. Also, a concern with the weight and thickness of the book will put a three-dimensional edge on the project. Tschichold identified contrast as the most important important element in all modern design (cited in Hurlburt, 1979, px). Furthermore, Hurlburt (1979) believes that the importance of contrast in the design of layout is very important. He states: The contrasts of dark against light and large against small, the contrast of mood in subject matter, and the punctuation of space in strong accents all contribute to the dramatic presentation of graphic material. (Hurlburt, 1979, px) This element of contrast is clearly evident in Tschicholds work for Penguin books The idea of great literature mass produced and sold cheaply, the famous Penguin slogan Good Books Cheap (Doubleday, (2006b), p24). The brightly coloured contrasts of each genre cover. The separation of the cover into three coloured sections for publisher, book title and author, and logo. The dissimilarity compared to other books on a merchants bookshelf that makes them stand out. The moderate use of then contemporary fonts instead of traditional ones. Doubleday (2006b) reasons Tschicholds main objective at Penguin books: was to synthesize all of the Penguin series with unprecedented quality, distinctiveness, and uniform styling, while at the same time, designating singular individuality and genuine features for each and every book. (Doubleday, 2006b, p45) Rationale Penguin books have been in production for over 70 years and although the cover designs have seen changes from different designers, the Tschichold era remains to be the most studied and the most iconic. Tschichold left a lasting impression on graphic design that few could compete against and undoubtedly set the standard for successful book design. Tschicholds design work and principles while at Penguin, inspires a great standard for design, even for contemporary designers. What was it about the Penguin book covers that made them so successful and in retrospect, a timeless and iconic part of British design history? The two defining achievements for Tschichold and his time at Penguin are the standard typographic conventions of the Penguin Composition Rules and the rigid grid structure that housed the design. The following list summarises Tschischolds achievements while at Penguin: Develop a grid for rigid and consistent use across all platforms. The grid must have distinct planned placements for the different elements and provide balance and uniformity Use the Golden Section to influence proportion Apply typographic standards for continuity Use legible and contemporary typefaces Pay close attention to brand loyalty and do not deviate far from it Use contrast for effective presentation of graphic material and to stand out from competition. Contrasting elements include colour, size and mood. Over the years, other popular culture mediums take shape that require tactile and original design in order to survive in such a competitive market. Many companies choose to re-brand in order to refresh their image due to decline in sales. In popular culture, it is not uncommon to recycle trends. Covers of contemporary media such as computer games have some similarities to book cover design after all, computer games are essentially a more interactive version of story-telling. Like book covers, they require the name of the publisher, the game authors, the title, room for illustration and other elements such as age-rating. A continuous grid structure that separates all these elements is used as well as typographic specifications. This shows a cover for Uncharted for the Sony Playstation 3 gaming console. It is a cover for the platinum range of Playstation games the games that sell a high amount in their first year. The design differs from the original game covers in order to signify its high acclaim in sales. These games are less than half the price of the original games and stand for good value gaming. The grid system used for the range of covers is shown below. [IMAGE] The current design of Playstation Platinum covers is hotly debated. They are deemed ineffective, perhaps because of a grid structure that does not allow for a well-proportioned design. To clarify this, a short questionnaire with a series of eight questions was presented to a number of computer-gaming community based forums. The questions were presented through Survey Monkey(http). The following is a breakdown of the questions with the three most relevant answers contributed. 1.How many hours per day/week do you spend playing computer games? 20 hours a week if I have time too many4 hrs per day 20-25 hours per week 2.Are you bothered by a games cover design? I prefer the cover to look nice, but not really no. A little Bothered no, but they can do catch my eye sometimes. 3.Do you think a games cover design inspires you to purchase it? It might make me want to purchase a game I was already interested in a little more. Impulse buying, Yes no. the game has to be good for me to purchse it. 4.Do you like to collect your game purchases and keep them in good condition? Yes. After all, I worked to buy them. Yes I do like to keep them in good condition. no. I just toss them in a file cabinet to play later. 5.Do you ever buy from the platinum game range? If no, please specify a reason why not for PS3 because of the game covers, but yes for other platforms Not usually, because I like to keep a well organized collection No as the boxart looks out of place with my other games 6.What are your views on the platinum game covers? Plain. Should re-design the covers entirely. They are fine, and allow one to find the cheaper games faster. platinum branding ruins the look 7.Would you prefer to see a better cover design for the platinum range? Possibly modify the colour, reduce the size of the borders. They shouldnt be as conspicuous as they are (e.g. not luminous yellow for EU PS3 platinum covers) yes. Something that shows off the greatness of the game. 8.Would you prefer to see the same cover design for the platinum range but with the price reduction only? No Have some distinction it is a platinum title. yes, however some indication that its platinum range would also be good, maybe a sticker or something id have no covers if it made it cheaper Considering these comments, create an alternative grid structure that will influence better proportions. Practice 1.Taking an accurate measurement of the physical dimensions and a rough idea of the elements to be included e.g. type size, line-height, image sizes. 2.Thinking about the nature and content of the project. Considering how to best present this and the amount of emphasis each element needs. Emphasis is the contrast between elements size, colour, disposition, placement. Used correctly, it should signify hierarchy. 3.Considering which type of grid best suits the project. [ILLUSTRATIONS OF GRIDS AND INFO ON TYPES] 4.Sketching the grid to a closely accurate scale that justifies the division of space and the placement of elements at the co-ordinates. The following image shows a grid using a series of Golden Sections constructed from the dimensions of the cover. There are six Golden Sections reaching from each side of cover. Using the co-ordinates of this grid to position elements may seem unorthodox. There is no sense of continuity and unvarying spatial zones. However, the asymmetrical divisions of the Golden Ratio is the concept of its beauty and harmonious proportions. A Golden Section grid was best suited to this project as it called for irregular proportions and a slightly intuitive placement of the objects. There is a clear hierarchical structure evident in the design. The tripartite division of the cover resembles the Penguin series. The top horizontal division contains the well known Platinum title and is of a modest type size. It casually confirms the highly acclaimed status of the game. The colour choice seemed appropriate to be eponymous to the section. In the bottom horizontal division is the game title, publisher, game authors and age certificate. This division needed to be the largest to house all the objects. The game title has the largest font size as it is the most important characteristic of the game. It is slightly off centre to the right and does not align with any other element. The unevenness gives the cover an edge and emphasizes each element individually. The choice of colour for the bottom division is reminiscent of the Penguin concept to visually signify the genre. It was decided to use a colour system of green for action and adventure, blue for sports, cerise for strategy, red for combat and orange for racing. The font used for the platinum title and game title is FF Blur medium by Neville Brody. Created in 1991, it was chosen for its irregular yet legible appearance that gives it a contemporary aesthetic. Its not too serious and not too playful, which aptly fits the nature of Playstation 3 and the temperament of its users. The font was chosen consistently for the platinum title and game title so that it keeps the range of games on the same level and is clear and lucid to observers on a sales stand. [FF BLUR TYPE] The middle horizontal division contains the non-translucent part of the game illustration. The illustration shows in-game action, like a snapshot of the game-play that encapsulates the greatness of the game. The top and bottom divisions are translucent to support a full cover illustration and provide a constant contrast against the text across all game covers. The middle division is structured as a focal point according the Golden Section and acts as a peer into the game-play. The borders to the left are kept constant with the regular non-platinum game covers. This is to keep an order of continuity in a game-players library. Many mentioned in the questionnaire they are put off buying platinum games because the luminous yellow borders hamper their ordered games library. The overall appearance of the game cover is suggestive of the Penguin covers and what they stand for good games cheap. This is perhaps overlooked by most gamers, however, the design is not intended to be nostalgic. When a project is planned like this it leaves little uncertainty for positions, image sizes etc. In a well structured grid, elements fall into place and the design takes shape more easily. Careful planning of this type can be applied to all mediums of graphic design. Grids for books, posters, magazines, web design etc. call for different grid structures. It depends on the subject matter and how it is to be presented and communicated. When including photography in any piece of design it is necessary to have good composition. Golden Ratio dimensions can to help compose a photography appropriately to achieve a sense of balance and harmony. The following page shows photographs that have been positioned appropriately to Golden Sections within a spatial zone. To do this, a program called PhiMatrix can be used as an aid. It displays a completely customisable Golden Rectangle over any program at any time. The three most important customisable features are the size of the rectangle, the amount of divisions within the rectangle and the style of Golden Rectangle. Although this program is useful for quick mock-ups of Golden Rectangles, it restrains the freedom to move in and out of programs when you want the Golden Rectangle to stay positioned where it is. Also, it does not contain the spiral rectangle. A better solution is to manually draw each type of Golden Rectangle. Begin with a scaled Golden Rectangle by using the Golden Ratio of 1:1.618. If the rectangle is 100mm in height, then it would be 161.8mm in width. To get the first vertical line for the grid do a calculation of 161.80.618 which equals 99.99mm. Make a vertical rule division 99.99mm across. To get the first horizontal rule for the grid do a calculation of 1000.618 which equals 61.8mm. Make a horizontal rule division 61.8mm up. These are the first two lines of the Golden Grid. If you need more lines in the grid for added structural assistance then times 0.618 by the next rule divisions i.e. 99.99mm and 61.8mm. Keeping repeating these steps until there is sufficient spatial zones to work with. For the grid to have a more modular structure, copy and flip the horizontal and vertical lines. For the purpose of positioning photography, four rules should be sufficient as shown. To draw a spiral Golden Rectangle begin by drawing a square and a horizontal halfway line of the square. Locate the point where the halfway line meets the squares edge. Draw a circle from this point with the radius of the distance from the point to the opposite top corner of the square. Extend the square up until it meets the tangent point of the circle. Draw another within the new rectangle division and repeat the process three times for the spiral to emerge. The Golden Ratio is becoming more established as practicable method method in influencing graphic design. It is believed that many logos are influenced by the Golden Section. A fictional Swedish brand was created to use the Golden Ratio to create a logo. The brand is called Skogsr . The idea of the logo was to use three crowns as it is a national emblem of Sweden, present in the Coat of Arms of the Realm of Sweden. The crowns were created using a total six Golden Rectangles that combine to make up one large Golden rectangle. The finished logo was wrapped around a 3D-model of two beer cans using 3DS Max. The beer cans were positioned relative to a Golden Ratio grid. The end result is an example. Evaluation To achieve a successful design solution, the process can be broken down and simplified by use of a grid. When all the necessary information of words and images are composed in a proportionate manner, the design then takes a dynamic form. This is a fundamental part of what design is elements positioned in a beautiful and harmonious system. Considering which elements go where when piecing together a work of images and words can be for the most part an unsure process. Experience and perhaps an innate sense of proportion account for most judgements when weighing up proportion. Essentially, there are two methods in which a designer can take to tackle a design problem using creative intuition about sense of proportion or using a grid for a sense of proportion. Both methods can result in a beautiful and harmonious design solution where all elements have a unique relationship to one another. It may be argued which method is best for the study of graphic design. From the experience gained during the course of this study, it has helped find solutions faster and more efficiently. Evidence shows designing with reference to a planned grid can consistently produce better results (Hurlburt,1978). When an intuitive course of action leads the creative process it could produce sometimes unordered and self-indulgent results. This may hinder the communication purpose of design. On the other hand, a purely pragmatic approach could result in design that lacks originality and flair. Breaking a grid in certain circumstances can be practical but knowing when to do so is import ant Education of design does not really call for a rigid use of grids. This is perhaps because people who seek roles in design are people with creative insight and have an innate sense of balance and proportion. A grid is essentially a combination of horizontal and vertical lines that act as a foundation for the placement of elements. The mind makes these lines when deciding where to place things. A grid can provide these lines and help the mind focus on the objective of communicating design effectively. Hurlburt(1978) states that many highly educated and and contemporary graphic designers can perform without the use of formal grids. Even so in Switzerland and Germany where it is believed grid systems originated. Grids provide a solid framework to work with and can be used in all desktop publishing software. Quite often, effective design ideas come as a correspondence in time between thoughts/moods and the design project at hand. There are times when creative ideas come to mind easily and design solutions are apparent. There times when there is a dry-up of creative flow, possibly as a result of outside forces. During these times a solid framework with which to work is the best course of action. It is comforting that a framework that assists the creative process exists, as graphic design is often thought of as a purely creative line of work that combines knowledge in software and not as a subject where rigid structures exist. Grids provide beautiful harmony and make a design more lucid. It can make a page come alive. They are a guide to, but not a guarantee to effective design and a sensible approach to the design problem. The design work created has laid the foundations for effective future work

The Effects Of Television On Society Essay -- Media Violence TV Societ

The Effects Of Television On Society There is probably no greater influence on society than the television. It has become arguably the greatest invention of the past century. With it, we have witnessed countless historical events: Inaugurations of presidents; man’s first steps on the moon; the assignation of John F. Kennedy; even disasters as they happen. Americans watch TV in the morning to receive the daily news. They eat watching it. They watch it before they go to bed. But as television has saturated our lives, has it always resulted toward our betterment or has it possibly led to the deprivation of American society? Although there are many benefits of television, American society has most assuredly been adversely affected by it. Since the birth of television, crime has skyrocketed. Many years ago, problems in school were chewing gum and running in the halls. Now, students fear for their lives as our schools have turned into war zones, with school shootings becoming a national problem. Many attribute this problem to the violence children watch on television. Children have become desensitized concerning the value of human life by the many murders and violence viewed on the screen. Television has led to the moral decline in our nation like no other device in history. With the coming of cable and satellite television, Americans now have scores of channels to watch with very little educational value. Many children sit for hours in front of the television, and could ...

Is hypnosis and effective method to Improve Health? Essay -- essays re

Is Hypnosis an Effective Method to Improve Health? Many high schools have hypnotists come to their school to entertain the students. Once a hypnotist came to the Fletcher High School gymnasium and hypnotized about a half dozen people. He convinced these six people into believing they were five years old watching their favorite cartoon. Their mannerisms were shocking. They truly believed they were five-years-old, throwing a fit when the hypnotist told them their mother just turned off the cartoons. Knowing that it is very hard to remember back to when a person is five-years-old, it was amazing that the power of hypnosis made them remember so easily. It seemed as if the hypnotist could make them remember anything. Just before the students woke from their hypnosis, the hypnotists told them they would be fully rested and feel extremely good about his or herself. Afterwards, they remarked on how rested they felt. A hypnotist can make people feel completely rested while being under hypnosis, and make people believe things that are not true. Why stop there though? If something hurts, then tell the hypnotherapist to suggest under hypnosis that the pain is gone and does not bother them anymore and the person will feel better. If someone has a stuttering problem, then they can visit a hypnotherapist and he should be able to straighten up their speech so they can speak more clearly. Likewise, a person’s self-confidence could be uplifted and they Stayton 2 could begin to believe in his or herself. Some people could even be anesthetized for surgery using hypnosis. Many people are hypnotized for entertainment purposes, so maybe it should also be used to help people with problems that are hard to resolve. Hypnosis can be used to relieve pain, conquer almost any fear, eliminate the use unnecessary prescription medicines, and help a person to overcome alcoholism and to overcome drug addictions. Also, upon finding support from a hypnotherapist, many have been able to quit addictive habits such as smoking. Conquering phobias is a specialty of hypnotherapists. A phobia is a compulsive fear of a specified situation or object (Knight 2). A few types of phobias are fear of open spaces, fear of snow, fear of the cold, fear of marriage, fear of insanity, fear of being alone, fear of darkness, fear of disease, fear of beards, fear of birds, fear of being stared at, fear of bein... ...nly one aspect of hypnosis. If a hypnotist can make someone remember something so far back and make that person reenact those memories, hypnosis could be a powerful tool regarding many health problems caused by brain activities. There is so much more that has yet to be discovered. Estabrooks, George H., Hypnotism. New York: E.P. Dutton & Co. Inc., 1957. â€Å"Hypnosis and Smoking: The Mighty Power of Suggestion.† Smoking Cessation. N. pag. Online. Internet. 13 Apr. 2000. Available WWW: http://www.hypnosis.about.com/smoking.hypnos.htm Kirsch, Irving, Antonio Capafons, Etzel Cardeà ±a-Buelna, Salvador Amigà ³. Clinical Hypnosis and Self-Regulation. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1999. Knight, Bryan. â€Å"You Can Conquer Your Phobia.† Hypnogenesis. N. pag. Online. Internet. 13 Apr. 2000. Available WWW: http://www.hypnos.co.uk/hypnomag/drknigh3.htm Nicoli, Thomas. â€Å"Pain and Physical Disorder – Relief Through Hypnosis.† Hypnogenesis. N. pag. Online. Internet. 13 Apr. 2000. Available WWW: http://www.hypnos.co.uk/hypnomag/nicoli1.htm Schneck, Jerome M. Hypnosis in Modern Medicine. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 1953. Wolff, Michael. Personal Interview. 28 Apr. 2000.

Auditory Localization Essay -- Hearing Sound Perception Essays

Auditory Localization Auditory localization is the ability to recognize the location from which a sound is emanating (Goldstine, 2002). There are many practical reasons for studying auditory localization. For example, previous research states that visual cues are necessary in locating a particular sound (Culling, 2000). However, blind people do not have the luxury of sight to help them locate a sound. Therefore, the ability to locate sound based only on auditory ability is important. It is also important to study different auditory processes. For example, when studying a way for a blind person to maneuver through an environment, it is helpful to know that people can most accurately locate sounds that happen directly in front of them; sounds that are far off, to the side, or behind the head are the least likely to be properly located (Goldstein, 2002). Three coordinate systems are utilized when attempting to locate a specific sound. The azimuth coordinate determines if a sound is located to the left or the right of a listener. The elevation coordinate differentiates between sounds that are up or down relative to the listener. Finally, the distance coordinate determines how far away a sound is from the receiver (Goldstine, 2002). Different aspects of the coordinate systems are also essential to sound localization. For example, when identifying the azimuth in a sound, three acoustic cues are used: spectral cues, interaural time differences (ITD), and interaural level differences (ILD) (Lorenzi, Gatehouse, & Lever, 1999). When dealing with sound localizaton, spectral cues are teh distribution of frequencies reaching teh ear. Brungart and Durlach (1999) (as seen in Shinn-Cunning, Santarelli, & Kopco, 1999) believed that as the ... ...Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 26 (6), 760-1769. Goldstein, E. (2002). Sensation and perception (Rev. ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth-Thomsom Learning. Lorenzi, C., Gatehouse, S., & Lever, C. (1999). Sound localization in noise in hearing impaired listeners. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 105 (6), 3454-3463. Lorenzi, C., Gatehouse, S., & Lever, C. (1999). Sound localization in noise in normal hearing listeners. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 105 (3), 1810-1820. McDonald, J., Teder-Salejarvi, W, & Hillyard, S. (2000). Involuntary orienting to sound improves visual perception. Nature, 407, 906-907. Shinn-Cunningham, B., Santarelli, S., & Kopco, N. (1999). Tori of Confusion: Binaural localization cues for sources within reach of the listener. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 107 (3), 1627-1636.

Morrisons Swot Essay

Richard Hammond, use of familiar face to advertise the company in a celebrity obsessive society. †¢Emphasis on procuring and distribution of quality British product at competitive price compared to competitors †¢Acquisition of new stores and expansion of the company, steady rise in company profits in recent years Weakness: †¢Company focus mostly on food products while the market share for daily goods, accessories and pharmaceutical are being over taken by competitors . i. e. Tesco, Asda †¢The economic crisis- means possible customers cannot afford to spend their income quickly and will prefer for a better value before making sale †¢The company as many other major supermarkets are essentially working in a negative working capital meaning its always in debt †¢Company lagging behind in implementing its digital services to its customers compared to the major competitors such as Tesco who’ve had their online service operation for several years now †¢Globalization means cheaper and equally quality product can and are being sold by the stores competitors at competitive price Opportunity: †¢Branching out into other business ventures like pharmaceuticals, opticians, electronics, entertainment goods, clothes and many more †¢Focusing more on customer satisfaction and ease of convenience in order to portray the company in a positive manner †¢Special deals and offers on common consumer goods as in food stuff & hygiene, during such economic instability to present solidarity and understanding towards the customers Threats: Adverse weather conditions such as snow storms and heavy rain, etc over major sales season may result in poor profit margins †¢ Due to external geo-political pressure i. e. new rules and regulations brought in by the E. U may result in heavy loss of possible income †¢Recent economic crisis means the loss of hundreds of thousands of job and business loss, directly affecting the spending power of would be customers who may look for cheaper alternatives to a supermarket †¢Competitors from major European supermarket Losing valuable suppliers and fianancial aid from banks due to the economic crisis

Investigacion Suavizantes

INVESTIGACION COMERCIAL SUAVIZANTES INDICE: Suavizantes: ?Por que este producto? El hecho de escoger este producto para realizar una investigacion comercial acerca del mismo se debe a varias circunstancias: hace anos quizas nosotros no teniamos en cuenta la manera ni los medios de como realizar las tareas domesticas. Pero si teniamos claro que el frescor y el olor de la ropa que nos lavaban en casa nos reconfortaba, nos daba sensacion de limpieza y sensacion de estar cerca de nuestro hogar. Despues de haber vivido algunos anos en residencia y haber sentido que nuestras prendas no nos aportaban las sensaciones que nos aportaban cuando estabamos en casa y una vez viviendo en piso nos preocupamos por la eleccion de los productos de limpieza. Ademas ahora somos nosotros quien nos realizamos estas labores. El suavizante es un producto que ademas de ser imprescindible para conservar la ropa nos podemos decantar por el por el olor que nos ofrecen, la sensacion de frescor y limpieza y la facilidad que este producto nos aporta a la hora de encargarnos del planchado. Puesto que el suavizante ayuda a que las arrugas de la ropa sean menores que las que tendriamos en las prendas de ropa si no utilizaramos este producto. A continuacion vamos a realizar un analisis del suavizante. Investigando las marcas que podemos encontrar en este mercado, los establecimientos que lo ofrecen y como se comportan los consumidores al adquirir este producto. El producto: Un suavizante textil es un producto que se utiliza comunmente en el proceso de lavado de ropa. El suavizante se comercializa disuelto en agua y se anade en forma liquida a la lavadora. Los ingredientes mas importantes de los suavizantes son los tensioactivos cationicos, habitualmente del tipo amonio cuaternario. Estos tensioactivos se adhieren a las fibras del tejido, proporcionando suavidad. Proporcionan tambien volumen, esponjosidad y otorgan propiedades antiestaticas. Hacen que las prendas sean mas faciles de planchar y ayudan a reducir la aparicion de arrugas. Por ultimo, pero no menos importante, los suavizantes aportan a la ropa una agradable fragancia. Un reciente estudio ha puesto de manifiesto que los suavizantes previenen la aparicion de arrugas y facilitan el planchado, pero no todos aumentan el volumen respecto a un lavado sin suavizante. La industria de los suavizantes esta concentrando sus productos cada vez mas. Los suavizantes concentrados tienen un mayor porcentaje de tensioactivos cationicos. En la actualidad los suavizantes textiles se comercializan con una concentracion de tensioactivos cationicos que oscila entre el 8 y el 15%, en contraposicion con los suavizantes diluidos comercializados durante los anos 90, que tenian una cantidad de materia activa proxima al 5%. Los suavizantes concentrados requieren dosis mas pequenas, ocupan menos espacio, es necesario menos plastico para su envasado y al caber mas unidades por camion, emiten menos dioxido de carbono a la atmosfera. Cualidades basicas: -Frescura -Suavidad -Reduce y facilita al planchado Estas son las cualidades basicas que caracteriza a los suavizantes. Son las cualidades que el consumidor pone como requisito para adquirir el suavizantes adecuado. ?Por que se debe utilizar suavizante? En la lavadora, lavado tras lavado, las fibras de los tejidos pierden algunas de sus propiedades mecanicas e integridad como consecuencia del intenso estres mecanico al que se ven sometidas y de los efectos quimicos de la dureza del agua. Con el paso del tiempo, las fibras de los tejidos se vuelven asperas y se enredan. Al no usar suavizantes, las fibras permanecen enredadas mientras se secan y las prendas se vuelven mas rigidas. El uso de secadoras de aire inducido ayuda a suavizar la ropa, pero con frecuencia las fibras sinteticas se cargan de electricidad estatica lo que provoca atraccion electroestatica. Resultados: Si se usa un suavizante en el ciclo de aclarado, sus agentes ayudan a mantener la suavidad de las fibras de los tejidos. Esto reduce la friccion de las fibras entre si y de las fibras con la piel del usuario. Cuando las fibras se mueven con mayor libertad, las prendas tienen una mayor suavidad y sufriran un desgaste menor con el paso del tiempo, especialmente las partes con un grado de estres mas alto, como cuellos, codos y punos. La ropa se arruga menos al secarse y resulta mas facil de planchar. Si se usan secadoras, las prendas sinteticas tendran una menor atraccion electroestatica al extraerlas de la secadora. La reduccion de la friccion en la piel y la suavidad de las prendas proporcionan una sensacion general de comodidad al usuario. Una caracteristica adicional de los suavizantes para la ropa es que dejan un olor agradable en las prendas lavadas. Los estudios sobre el consumo indican que el olor es con frecuencia el motivo por el que los consumidores eligen una variante o marca determinada frente a otras. Establecimientos: TipoSociedad Anonima Fundacion1963 SedeAvenida Raymond Poincare 6 Paris, Francia AdministracionLars Olofsson Ceo IndustriaMinorista Ingresos97,6 billones â‚ ¬ (2009) Empleados430. 000 FilialesChampion, Ed Shopi, GB, 8 a Huit, Dia Sitio webwww. carrefour. com Datos Relevantes: Carrefour S. A. es una cadena francesa internacional de hipermercados. En el 2009, el grupo poseia 15. 5000 almacenes en 35 paises, tenia mas de 495. 000 empleados Sus ventas consolidadas alcanzaron 108. 629 millones de euros. Su actividad se centra en tres mercados: Europa, Asia y America Latina. Siendo de origen frances, el 56% de su negocio se produce fuera de Francia. El grupo se centra en mercados de gran expansion: China, Brasil, Indonesia, Polonia y Turquia. Historia: Fue en un seminario de Bernardo Trujillo en los Estados Unidos, donde a Marcel Fournier y Denis Defforey les vino la inspiracion. La sociedad Carrefour fue creada en la Alta Saboya en 1959 por las familias Fournier y Defforey. En 1963, Carrefour invento el concepto de hipermercado, abriendo el primero en la Isla de Francia en Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois. La sociedad se establecio en Belgica en 1969, en Espana en 1973 y en Brasil en 1975. La sociedad Promodis (futura Promodes) se creo en 1961 tras la fusion de las empresas de dos familias normandas de mayoristas dirigidos por Paul-Auguste Halley y Leonor Duval-Lemonnier. El nombre de Carrefour significa â€Å"cruce de caminos†, ya que el primer hipermercado estaba precisamente ubicado en un cruce de caminos. Carrefour y Promodes se fusionaron en 1999 para dar lugar al primer grupo europeo y al segundo grupo mundial de distribucion, despues de Wal-Mart. Dirigida por Jose Luis Duran entre 2005 y finales de 2008. Desde el 1 de enero de 2009 Lars Olofsson, pocedente del grupo Nestle, es el director general. Es posible que el gigante de la distribucion se desprenda de su filial E. D. y Dia (Espana y Portugal), por un importe cercano a los 5 millardos de euros (5. 00. 000. 000 â‚ ¬). En 1976, lanza una gama de productos la marca de su distribuidor, con un empaquetado muy sobrio y una promocion orientada hacia la composicion con precios permanentes. En 2006 Carrefour cambio la imagen de su marca, la cual tomo un diseno mas atractivo, con envases disenados con colores suaves como el azul, y faciles de identificar. Los nuevos envases cuentan con el logotipo de la empresa, mas grande que antes cuando solo aparecia el nombre Carrefour en una fina banda en la esquina inferior derecha. Bajo el mando del nuevo presidente ejecutivo, Lars Olofsson, la empresa se esta concentrando en cambiar la reputacion del minorista enfocandose en los precios bajos, ya que la cadena es percibida por los consumidores como demasiado cara. Actualmente el grupo Carrefour ocupa el numero 1 en distribucion europea y el 2? del mundo. Cifras : En enero de 2004, las principales insignias del grupo son: †¢Hipermercados (5. 000 a 20. 000 m? ): Carrefour †¢Supermercados (1. 000 a 2. 000 m? ): Champion, Carrefour Express, barrio , Supermercados GS, Norte, Supermercados GB †¢Maxidescuento (200 a 800 m? : Supermercados Dia, Ed †¢Comercio de proximidad: Shopi, Marche Plus, 8 a Huit, Di per Di, Proxi El grupo en el mundo : El grupo Carrefour cuenta con establecimientos en 35 paises de Europa, Asia y America Latina. Espana : El grupo Carrefour se establecio en Espana en 1973 con los supermercados Pryca. En el 2000 los establecimientos de Continente y Pryca pasaron a formar parte d el grupo Carrefour, fusionandose. Los hipermercados de estas empresas pasaron a llamarse Carrefour, los supermercados se pasaron a llamar Champion y en 2005, Maxi Dia y Carrefour Express pasando a desaparecer la denominacion Champion. El Grupo Carrefour tambien posee tiendas pequenas en barrios llamados Dia. Algunos Dia ahora son Maxi Dia (los grandes) y Dia Market (los pequenos). Se encuentran repartidos por toda la geografia espanola: Andalucia (Malaga,Cadiz,Granada,Los Barrios,Estepona,Marbella)Madrid,Valencia,etc. Estan presentes en la mayoria de las ciudades espanolas de las 17 Comunidades Autonomas y forman parte del paisaje comercial de vanguardia. Son el banco de pruebas del desarrollo industrial y cuentan con el apoyo de los consumidores espanoles de varias generaciones. Cumplen mas de 36 anos en Espana, y son referentes del formato en la distribucion moderna. 008 cierra el ejercicio con 168 centros bajo la ensena Carrefour. La dimension del area de ventas de los centros abarca desde los 2. 500 m2 de los mini-hiper hasta los mas de 10. 000 m2 del concepto clasico de hipermercado. Motor de los entornos socioeconomicos: Dinamizan sus zonas de influencia y agrupan en su rededor polos de atraccion junto con e l comercio, la restauracion y los servicios mas vanguardistas de la region, configurando pujantes areas comerciales. Conveniente en precios y surtido: El modelo de Carrefour es aceptado por ofrecer el mayor surtido de calidad a los mejores precios. La libertad de eleccion de productos, marcas y precios convence a los consumidores. Mas de 100. 000 referencias de articulos regionales, nacionales e internacionales, configuran una rica opcion, innovadora y conveniente. Los servicios complementarios de las filiales optimizan el acto de compra. Una atractiva vida comercial en el ano: Su amplio desarrollo de alimentacion, bazar, textil y una marcada estacionalidad, convierten el acto de compra en un acontecimiento familiar ludico. Mas de treinta actividades diferentes conviven entre si de manera natural, animadas. SedeCalle Hermosilla n? 112 AdministracionIsidoro Alvarez, Presidente IndustriaGrandes Almacenes, Turismo, Servicios ProductosTextil, alimentacion, drogueria, perfumeria, complementos. Agencia de Viajes. Correduria de seguros. Servicios y productos informaticos. MarcasEl Corte Ingles (Alimentacion y Bazar, Cesta estandar), Hipercor (Alimentacion y Bazar, Cesta estandar), Aliada (Cesta basica). Ingresos17. 362,53 millones â‚ ¬ (2008) Beneficio Neto382 millones â‚ ¬ (2008) Empleados97. 389 (2008) FilialesHipercor, Bricor, Supercor, Opencor, Viajes El Corte Ingles, Informatica El Corte Ingles. Sitio webelcorteingles. es hipercor. es El Corte Ingles es el primer grupo espanol de distribucion y uno de los lideres mundiales de grandes almacenes. Con mas de 70 anos de experiencia, el Grupo ha mantenido desde sus origenes una politica de servicio al cliente y un constante interes por adecuarse a los gustos y las necesidades que demanda la sociedad. Esto le ha llevado a una politica de diversificacion y a la creacion de nuevos formatos comerciales. Ademas de los grandes almacenes El Corte Ingles, el Grupo cuenta con otras cadenas como Hipercor, Opencor, Supercor, Sfera, Telecor, Viajes El Corte Ingles, Bricor, Optica 2000 e Informatica El Corte Ingles, entre otras. El Corte Ingles es hoy uno de los lideres mundiales de grandes almacenes con una fuerte implantacion en el mercado espanol y con presencia en Portugal. Desde que en 1935 el fundador de la compania, Ramon Areces, adquiriera una sastreria denominada El Corte Ingles, la empresa ha mantenido un continuo crecimiento. La politica comercial de la cadena esta basada en cinco grandes pilares que se han hecho extensivos al resto de las empresas del grupo: calidad maxima, servicio, surtido, especializacion y garantia. La oferta de los grandes almacenes incluye un amplio abanico de productos y servicios que van desde articulos de ocio y cultura a mobiliario, moda y complementos, electronica de consumo, jugueteria, decoracion, alimentacion, joyeria. Los centros comerciales estan pensados para satisfacer al cliente con una amplia gama de surtido y especialidades, y con la mayor concentracion de oferta de moda femenina, masculina e infantil del mercado. Mas de un millar de firmas presentan cada temporada en los establecimientos sus nuevas tendencias y propuestas. Las mas conocidas marcas nacionales e internacionales, en algunos casos en exclusiva para El Corte Ingles, asi como las firmas de numerosos disenadores y modistos que cuentan con sus propios corners, convierten a El Corte Ingles en una enorme avenida que destaca por la variedad de oferta, la dimension del espacio y la calidad del producto. Clientes: El modelo de venta expresado anteriormente sigue siendo valido hoy. Asi en su documento de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial se senala que los cinco pilares de compromiso con el cliente son: †¢Calidad †¢Servicio Surtido †¢Especializacion †¢Garantia Estos cinco pilares han producido una fidelizacion importante de sus clientes y en 2008 sus centros recibieron mas de 600 millones de visitas. Esta fidelizacion se ha producido a pesar de ofrecer precios superiores al resto de competidores, aunque suple este inconveniente mediante la realizacion de ofertas, la induccion a la demanda mediante el esfuerzo publicitario mas gra nde que realiza cualquier empresa espanola, la carencia en el pago de compras y un amplio programa de financiacion automatica para la compra de sus articulos. Entre lo anterior cabe destacar que la Tarjeta de Compras de El Corte Ingles sea una de las mas populares en el bolsillo de los espanoles, con mas de 10,8 millones de tarjetas activas en 2008 y con un crecimiento constante desde su introduccion en 1968. Los titulares de la tarjeta de compras se benefician de una carencia automatica de un mes en el pago de la liquidacion mensual y la posibilidad de aplazar sin intereses los pagos a tres meses, o con bajos intereses hasta 36 meses. Ademas se benefician de al menos dos horas gratis en aquellos aparcamientos de pago de los centros y con la tarjeta se permite comprar cualquier producto que se venda en los centros pertenecientes al grupo El Corte Ingles inclusive productos estancados como Tabacos. Desde 2006 la tarjeta tambien permite el pago de compras en las estaciones de servicio del grupo Repsol. No obstante lo anterior el factor precio comienza a resultar importante para el cliente, sobre todo en lo referente a la compra de alimentacion con una fuerte competencia. Para evitar que esto suponga un problema y cambiar la percepcion de los clientes El Corte Ingles ha lanzado una marca blanca de cesta basica, Aliada, y ha iniciado una campana de publicidad para intentar cambiar esta percepcion sobre sus marcas. Grupo Eroski es una empresa cooperativa espanola de distribucion con sede en Elorrio, (Vizcaya). Fundada en el Pais Vasco en 1969, hoy cuenta con unos 20. 000 trabajadores repartidos por toda Espana. La empresa cuenta con alrededor de 2. 00 establecimientos de diferentes marcas, entre las que se incluyen los hipermercados â€Å"Eroski†, supermercados â€Å"Eroski City† y â€Å"Eroski Center†, supermercados â€Å"Aliprox†, supermercados â€Å"Cash Record†, supermercados â€Å"Caprabo†, supermercados â€Å"Familia†, â€Å"Viajes Eroski†, â€Å"Opticas Eroski†, â€Å"Perfumerias IF†, â€Å"Tiendas de Deporte FORUM† y â€Å"Tiendas de ocio y cultura ABAC†. El Grup o Eroski, es un conglomerado de sociedades de diferente realidad juridica y distinta composicion accionarial, pudiendo encontrar desde Sociedades Cooperativas (la matriz Eroski S. Coop. ) hasta SAs con porcentajes de participacion accionarial diferentes (ej Caprabo 70% o Vegalsa 50%). Es parte de la Corporacion Mondragon en la division de distribucion. El nombre Eroski es una contraccion de las palabras en euskera â€Å"erosi† (comprar) y â€Å"toki† (lugar), traducible como â€Å"lugar donde comprar†. Dos aspectos son relevantes: 1. La primera es la propiedad, de la que son depositarios en igualdad de condiciones unos 9. 000 trabajadores, con una persona un voto en la Asamblea General. . Actua desde su origen con la reinversion permanente de sus beneficios y destina el 10% de los resultados para el desempeno de Fundacion Eroski, que vertebra su accion social en favor del consumidor y la informacion, el desarrollo sostenible y la solidaridad. Consumidores socios : Son unos 450. 000 ciudadanos asociados como consumidores a este grupo cuyos representantes participan en el gobierno de la empresa. A la par, unos 100. 000 ciudadanos son Amigos de Fundacion Eroski. Todos ellos participan de modo voluntario en las acciones formativas que Idea Sana Eroski desarrolla con asiduidad sobre materias de interes del ciudadano, desde aspectos relativos a la salud como iniciativas de solidaridad en colaboracion con diferentes ONG. Iniciativas sociales: La Fundacion Eroski promueve igualmente iniciativas de cooperacion internacional para proyectos de desarrollo sostenible en paises necesitados. La Fundacion COPADE, la Fundacion AKWABA y la Federacion Espanola Religiosos Sanitarios F. E. R. S. ueron los utimos protagonistas al ser elegidos sus proyectos. En sus cuatro ediciones anteriores, la Fundacion EROSKI ha financiado los proyectos de las entidades que se mencionan por un importe que asciende a 536. 400,70 euros. En anteriores ediciones fueron beneficiarios los proyectos de Fundacion C. E. A. R. , Fundacion Intermon-Oxfam y COCEMFE, en 2003. Fundacion Ayuda en Accion, Fundacion Save The Children y Cruz Roja en el 2002. En 2001 fueron elegidos los proye ctos de Fundacion Vicente Ferrer, Fundacion Inter Red y Setem Cataluna. Su labor se ha visto reconocida durante el ejercicio 2004 con el Premio Europeo de Medio Ambiente a la empresa. El premio, otorgado por la Fundacion Entorno y respaldado por la Comision Europea, el Ministerio espanol de Ciencia y Tecnologia y la Sociedad Espanola de Participaciones Industriales, reconoce los esfuerzos de Grupo Eroski para el logro de un desarrollo compatible con la preservacion del entorno y el aumento del bienestar social. Asimismo, Grupo Eroski ha editado su Memoria de Sostenibilidad siguiendo las normas dictadas por Global Reporting Iniciative y AENOR. La Memoria es la primera publicada por una empresa de distribucion en Espana y ha sido elaborada conforme a la metodologia GRI2002, que ofrece una vision economica, social y medioambiental de la actividad de la empresa. Red comercial : La red comercial de Eroski en Espana, en noviembre de 2007 la formaban: †¢115 hipermercados â€Å"Eroski†. †¢1. 042 supermercados â€Å"Eroski Center†, â€Å"Caprabo† y â€Å"Eroski City†. †¢El Supermercado â€Å"Eroski Online†, su servicio de compra online de alimentacion. †¢280 oficinas â€Å"Eroski Viajes†. †¢52 gasolineras. †¢44 tiendas de deporte â€Å"Forum Sport†. 310 perfumerias â€Å"If†. †¢5 tiendas de ocio y cultura â€Å"ABAC†. †¢28 plataformas de distribucion. †¢Operador de Telefonia Movil (â€Å"Eroski Movil†). A esta red se le suman 584 autoservicios franquiciados. En Francia, Eroski cuenta ademas con 4 hipermercados, 16 sup ermercados y 17 gasolineras. En mayo de 2007 adquirio el 75% del Grupo Caprabo, ensena que se ha mantenido en mas de 300 tiendas en Cataluna y Madrid. Desde esa fecha los supermercados Caprabo comenzaron a sustituir sus productos de marca Caprabo por productos de la marca Eroski. Asi mismo, tambien se asocio con el grupo frances Intermarche, tambien conocidos como â€Å"Los Mosqueteros†, y EDEKA (Alemania) creando una Alianza Internacional para la negociacion y compra conjunta. Desde finales de 2007, Eroski participa en el negocio de la telefonia movil, actuando como operador movil virtual (OMV) con la marca Eroski Movil. Marcas : †¢Eroski: general †¢Eroski selectia: productos de alimentacion selectos †¢Eroski natur: productos de alimentacion naturales (carne, pescado, fruta) †¢Ecron: electrodomesticos †¢Berthen: electrodomesticos †¢VistoBueno: textil †¢Romester: productos deportivos Los productos de las marcas Eroski tienen como una de sus caracteristicas el incluir su nombre y diversa informacion aparte de en castellano, en euskera, catalan y gallego. Es una compania de distribucion, integrada dentro del segmento de supermercados, de capital 100% espanol. Su presidente ejecutivo es Juan Roig. A nivel nacional, esta presente en 46 provincias de 15 comunidades autonomas con una red de 1. 266 supermercados (25/02/10). Durante el 2007, alcanzo una facturacion de 13. 986 millones de euros, un 15% mas que en 2006. Sus instalaciones y clientes son atendidos por mas de 62. 00 personas en toda la cadena, de las que el 100% estan en situacion de fijos. Los supermercados, con una sala de ventas de unos 1. 300 metros cuadrados de media, responden a un modelo de comercio urbano de proximidad, con un amplio surtido en alimentacion (fresca y seca), drogueria, perfumeria y comida para animales domesticos. Desde1993, Mercadona se inicio en la filosofia de Calidad total. Esta de cision ha llevado a la compania a realinear sus objetivos instaurando el siguiente orden: Cliente, que internamente es conocido con el apelativo de â€Å"El Jefe†, Trabajador, Proveedor, Sociedad y Capital. Recreacion de secciones de Tienda â€Å"por ambientes†En grandes lineas esta filosofia tiene los siguientes efectos: Comercial: La estrategia comercial desarrollada por la empresa desde 1993 se denomina S. P. B. (Siempre Precios Bajos). Ademas, se esta trabajando sobre el aseguramiento de la calidad intrinseca de los productos impulsando la estrategia del Principio de Vida Recursos humanos: El modelo de Calidad total nos ha llevado a considerar al trabajador como segundo objetivo de la empresa. Ejemplo de ello es que el 100% de las mas de 62. 000 personas que componen la organizacion son fijos. Tambien es de destacar el pago del 100% del sueldo en caso de incapacidad laboral, disfrutar de unos sueldos minimos que superan la media del sector, asi como la formacion en Calidad total a las mas de 62. 000 personas en cursos especificos de 70 horas/ano por trabajador, entre otras. Mercadona es una compania espanola de distribucion con sede y origen en la ciudad de Valencia. Su nombre proviene de la fusion de las palabras en valenciano â€Å"Mercat† (Mercado) y â€Å"Dona† (Mujer). Los Supermercados Mercadona, con una sala de ventas de una superficie media de 1. 00 m? , responden a un modelo de comercio urbano de proximidad, y mantienen un surtido en alimentacion, drogueria, perfumeria y complementos que se caracteriza por potenciar la presencia de sus propias marcas blancas y reducir la oferta de aquellas marcas externas que no mantengan un minimo de rotacion. Origen e historia: Mercadona S. A. nace en 1977, dentro del grupo Carnicas Roig, propiedad de Francisco Roi g Ballester y su esposa Trinidad Alfonso Mocholi, con el objetivo de ampliar la comercializacion de carnes y expandirse al negocio de ultramarinos. En 1981 Juan Roig, uno de los hijos del anterior, compra a sus padres la empresa, que en ese momento cuenta con 8 tiendas de ultramarinos en Valencia, con el apoyo de su esposa y de sus hermanos Francisco, Amparo y Trinidad. Siendo nombrado su presidente ejecutivo, cargo en el que permanece hasta hoy, transforma los primitivos ultramarinos en una pequena cadena de supermercados que pronto se extenderian dentro de la Comunidad Valenciana. Aprovechando los parametros de crecimiento del sector de la distribucion durante los anos ochenta: modernizacion del sector e incorporacion masiva de la mujer al mundo laboral, Mercadona comienza una expansion que se va a ver limitada por la introduccion en el sector del capital frances lo que va a producir una concentracion importante del sector de distribucion alimentaria y, debido a su potencia, una presion sobre los proveedores para abaratar el producto que dificilmente podia llevar a cabo Mercadona en ese momento. La estrategia de expansion se realiza en un primer momento mediante la adquisicion de otras empresas de su sector que comienzan a acusar la presion del capital frances y asi se hace en 1988 con la adquisicion de los 22 supermercados de Superette, en 1989 con la adquisicion de las empresas Cesta Distribucion y Desarrollo de Centros Comerciales, en 1991 con la adquisicion de Dinos y Super Aguilar y en 1998 con la adquisicion de las cadenas catalanas de Almacens Paquer y Supermercats Vilaro. Tambien se firman alianzas como la alcanzada en 1997 con Almacenes Gomez Serrano para introducirse en el mercado andaluz. La concentracion mencionada coloca tambien a Mercadona en una situacion dificil en aquella epoca pero, a pesar de jugosas ofertas de compra de la empresa, Juan Roig decide mantenerla y explorar modelos de gestion que le permitan su crecimiento. En 1990 Juan Roig junto a su esposa Hortensia, se hacen con la mayoria del accionariado de la empresa. Como primera reaccion a esa concentracion Mercadona realiza una politica de ajuste de precios con los proveedores e invierte fuertemente en publicidad y en la realizacion de ofertas gancho, en las que se publicitan productos con un precio extremadamente atractivo compensandose el margen perdido con otros productos, pero pronto se ve que los resultados no son los esperados y se decide replantear la situacion mediante una estrategia nueva que vera la luz en 1993. Esta estrategia se realiza aplicando el modelo de Gestion de Calidad Total (GCT) que se constituye desde una perspectiva multidisciplinar e integradora que conjuga aspectos logisticos, fisicos, humanos y de liderazgo y cuyo fin es la creacion de valor para todos los grupos intervinientes en el negocio: clientes, proveedores, recursos humanos y capital. Conforme su memoria durante el ano 2009, los Supermercados Mercadona alcanzaron una facturacion de 15. 05 millones de euros, y un beneficio neto de 270 millones de euros con un EBITDA de 725 millones de euros. Su cuota de mercado en la distribucion alimentaria es del 12,8% con presencia en 46 provincias y 15 de las 17 Comunidades Autonomas de Espana, no presente unicamente en el Pais Vasco y en Navarra, a traves de sus 1. 264 establecimientos. Su plantilla esta compuesta de 62. 000 empleados de los que el 67% son mujeres y la totalidad de la contratacion es indefinida. El capital de Mercadona es mayoritariamente familiar y en 2008 su Consejo de administracion se componia de las siguientes personas: Modelo de gestion: El crecimiento y expansion de Mercadona es considerado como un exito que ha llamado la atencion a estudiosos del sector. Durante el periodo 1998-2003 el crecimiento de su volumen de ventas supero el 25% anual cuando el ratio normal del sector no suele superar el 9% siendo superada en crecimiento unicamente por Wal-Mart y consolidandola como la decimocuarta empresa de distribucion a nivel mundial. Segun Family Business Magazine esta entre las empresas familiares mas grandes del mundo, en el puesto 85 entre 250, siendo la numero 2 de Espana despues de El Corte Ingles. Segun su presidente Juan Roig, su estrategia central se ha resumido en la union de buenos salarios junto con una alta productividad, aplicando un modelo de gestion enfocado en el cliente denominado Gestion de Calidad Total (GCT). El modelo GCT en Mercadona fue adoptado en 1993 con el objetivo de defenderse ante la turbulencia que vivia el sector y establecer un modelo que ofreciera estabilidad en precios, proveedores y trabajadores que permitiera conseguir una clientela fija. Aunque los dos primeros anos tras la adopcion de la estrategia no se consiguieron resultados visibles a partir de 1995 se empiezan a cosechar los frutos de esta estabilidad y es a partir de este momento cuando comienza su crecimiento imparable. El modelo de Gestion de Calidad Total de Mercadona se enfoca en cinco aspectos de satisfaccion que por este orden son: †¢Satisfaccion del cliente (El Jefe en la terminologia de la empresa) mediante la estabilidad en los precios, los cuales siempre son atractivos, Siempre Precios Bajos, desechando la realizacion de ofertas gancho. †¢Compromiso de los empleados ofreciendoles estabilidad en el puesto de trabajo, homogeinizacion de niveles y responsabilidades, formacion continuada, incentivos sobre objetivos y unos salarios ligeramente por encima de la media del sector. Vinculacion con los proveedores basada en la confianza, relaciones a largo plazo, estabilidad y colaboracion. La compensacion en el ajuste del precio se le compensa mediante una relacion a largo plazo, plazos de pago mas cortos que la competencia, la transformacion de la marca propia a marca blanca y ayudas en mejoras productivas. En 1998 se crea la figura del Interproveedor productor que fabrica en exclusiva pa ra Mercadona y comercializa a traves de las marcas de esta. En 2008 el numero de Interproveedores alcanza los 100 de los mas de 2. 00 proveedores existentes. †¢Compromiso etico con el desarrollo y proteccion de la sociedad. †¢Vinculacion con el Capital, al cual, mediante la satisfaccion de los elementos anteriores, se le satisface mediante un aumento de la productividad y una constancia en los beneficios. Este Modelo ha recibido no obstante criticas de la mayoria de los actores implicados. Asi la desaparicion de marcas externas y la preeminencia de las marcas blancas de la propia distribuidora ha provocado quejas de consumidores y de proveedores. La politica social, que segun la empresa es parte integrante de su Modelo de Gestion mediante contrataciones indefinidas de la totalidad de la plantilla, acciones tendentes a la conciliacion de la vida laboral con la no apertura en festivos, apoyo a la natalidad con un mes mas de licencia por embarazo y el reparto de un porcentaje del beneficio entre los empleados que alcancen los objetivos propuestos ha sido tambien cuestionada en especial por el sindicato CNT que desde 2004 mantiene un conflicto laboral que fue dado a conocer por los propios empleados de la compania. Actualmente, el conflicto entre CNT y Mercadona sigue abierto, y se han presentado nuevas denuncias por acoso laboral y malos tratos hacia los trabajadores. En cuanto a los proveedores, ademas de las quejas de aquellos que fabrican marca propia por la retirada de sus productos, se han anunciado presiones excesivas de Mercadona a aquellos que fabrican sus marcas blancas, los conocidos por la empresa como Interproveedores, que limitan su libertad de accion, pretenden aduenarse de toda la cadena productiva o trasladar los costes de distribucion por expectativas no alcanzadas. Respecto a la acusacion de concentracion vertical cabe destacar la creacion por la familia Roig de Sociedades de Capital Riesgo como Angels Capital y Atitlan Alpha Capital que intervienen de forma prioritaria en las relaciones con los interproveedores. Marcas: †¢Hacendado – alimentacion †¢Deliplus – perfumeria en general †¢Compy – comida para animales †¢Bosque Verde – drogueria †¢Como tu – perfumeria mujer †¢9,60 – perfumeria hombre †¢El cafetal – cafe †¢Entrepinares – lacteos solidos Presencia geografica : Mercadona posee 8 bloques logisticos con mas de 600. 000 m? en Valencia, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Sevilla, Tenerife, Madrid y Gran Canaria. Tiene previsto abrir 3 nuevos bloques logisticos en Leon, Granada y Zaragoza y dispone de 2 almacenes satelites en Leon y Baleares. En cuanto a superficies de venta Mercadona dispone de 1. 264 supermercados en Espana. OpenCor es una cadena de Tiendas de Conveniencia, lo que supone abrir los 365 dias del ano durante 18 horas. Pensadas para dar servicio al cliente y satisfacer sus necesidades de cada dia, la compra de ultima hora o cualquier olvido, los establecimientos OpenCor ofrecen una nueva forma de comprar, rapida, proxima, comoda y con la mejor garantia de calidad. Cuenta, ademas, con la ventaja de pagar con la tarjeta de compra de El Corte Ingles. OpenCor vio la luz el 18 de mayo de 2000, con la inauguracion del primer establecimiento en Majadahonda (Madrid). Desde entonces ha experimentado un rapido crecimiento con la apertura de tiendas distribuidas por toda Espana. Gracias a que su superficie de venta es inferior a 500 metros cuadrados, el formato permite gran flexibilidad para ubicarse en las principales capitales de provincia; A Coruna, Alicante, Almeria, Barcelona, Castellon, Cordoba, Gerona, Granada, Las Palmas, Lerida, Madrid, Malaga, Murcia, Pontevedra, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Sevilla, Tarragona, Valencia y Zaragoza. Desde noviembre de 2008, es tambien la marca de referencia en las Estaciones de Servicio fruto del acuerdo entre El Corte Ingles y Repsol (hasta ahora como conocidas como Repsol-Supercor. La Superestacion). De esta forma, bajo la marca comercial OpenCor, encontraremos dos formatos de establecimientos: – Mas de 183 tiendas de conveniencia repartidas por todo el territorio nacional – Mas de 34 tiendas ubicadas en las Estaciones de Servicio Respsol- OpenCor. La Superestacion, adaptadas a las necesidades actuales, donde el cliente, ademas de repostar carburante, puede realizar su compra comodamente en una superficie de mas de 150 metros cuadrados . Se trata de una de las ensenas del grupo con mayor potencial de crecimiento. Los centros OpenCor ofrecen mas de 8. 00 articulos, que comprenden una amplia gama de articulos de alimentacion, drogueria, perfumeria asi como pan recien hecho, prensa y revistas, musica, peliculas, libros, juguetes, videojuegos y regalos. Ademas, en estas tiendas el cliente puede recargar su movil, revelar sus fotografias y realizar fotocopias. Las tiendas de OpenCor ofrecen una amplia y equilibrada gama de productos de alimentacion, perfumeria, regalos, ocio y prensa, ademas de otros servicios . Dentro de los planes de diversificacion de la compania, la ensena OpenCor represento un reto. El termino â€Å"OpenCor† se selecciono entre muchos, pues representaba perfectamente la vocacion con la que se creaba la nueva linea de negocio del grupo. El conjunto del termino, que unia la palabra del ingles â€Å"open† y â€Å"cor† resaltaba, por un lado, la importancia de que fuera una tienda siempre abierta y, por otro, la ventaja de contar con el respaldo y la garantia del lider. Datos de la Empresa: OpenCor es una cadena espanola de tiendas de conveniencia perteneciente al grupo de empresas El Corte Ingles, cuyo presidente es Isidoro Alvarez Alvarez y su director general Victor del Pozo Gil. Constituye un nuevo concepto de cadena de tiendas abiertas los 365 dias del ano durante 18 horas, pensadas para satisfacer las necesidades de cada dia, la compra de ultima hora, o cualquier olvido. Las tiendas Opencor presentan secciones de productos de primera necesidad (alimentacion, drogueria, y similares) asi como articulos de ocio (discos, peliculas, videojuegos, etc. ), regalos y otros productos. Opencor se inauguro el 18 de mayo del ano 2000 a traves de su centro de Majadahonda en Madrid. Las tiendas Opencor existentes en las estaciones de servicio de Repsol se denominan Repsol-Opencor y se gestionan por la sociedad Gespevesa,1 cuyo accionariado se reparte a partes iguales entre El Corte Ingles y Repsol. Previamente a esta denominacion se denominaron Repsol-Supercor desde 1998. Distribucion geografica: Opencor (Tiendas de Conveniencia S. A. ) y Repsol-Opencor (Gespevesa S. A. ) disponen de 187 tiendas en Espana: †¢58 en Madrid †¢40 en Andalucia †¢39 en Cataluna †¢32 en la Comunidad Valenciana †¢9 en Galicia †¢4 en Aragon †¢3 en Canarias †¢2 en Murcia Tienda tradicional: La tienda tradicional es un negocio en el que la gente puede adquirir bienes o servicios a cambio de una contraprestacion economica. Se trata de establecimientos pequenos con atencion directa por parte de un vendedor o dependiente, en el caso de algunas tiendas podemos encontrar mas de uno. Tambien le caracteriza la existencia de un mostrador que separa la sala de venta de los articulos de venta. En este tipo de establecimientos el cliente es asiduo y cercano al comerciante lo que hace que el trato y la atencion sea mas directo que en otro tipo de establecimientos como las grandes superficies. El dependiente suele conocer al consumidor y sus gustos, lo que le ayuda a saber como venderle y que venderle. El surtido suele ser limitado. Suelen tener poca variedad de cada producto, dos o tres marcas aproximadamente. Aunque son establecimientos son pequenos vende por su proximidad y cercania. Su tamano varia entre 15 y 50 metros de superficie. Este tipo de tiendas estan desapareciendo cada dia mas debido al asentamiento de las grandes superficies en las ciudades o nucleos urbanos y a la cercania de los supermercados. Lo que ha provocado el cierre de muchos de estos comercios en los ultimos anos. Tienda Tradicional 54 dosis cielo,azul, delicado 2,69â‚ ¬ Sensual 2,86â‚ ¬ La Toja (2,69)72 dosis cielo azul, delicado y frescor 3,90â‚ ¬ crystals azul, floral 3,99â‚ ¬ 480 gr36 dosis cielo azul y delicado 2,59â‚ ¬ 60 dosis 4,15â‚ ¬ Vernel Crystals 4,02â‚ ¬ 54 dosis azul 3,20â‚ ¬ Crystals 3,52â‚ ¬ 45 dosis azul, oceanico 2,69â‚ ¬ Marsella 2,86â‚ ¬ Relax 40 dosis 2,86â‚ ¬ 72 dosis Oceanico 3â‚ ¬ Colonia, Marsella, Rosa Hidratante 3,2â‚ ¬ Relax 64 dosis 3,2â‚ ¬72 dosis 3,30 144 dosis 5,70 essentis relajante de 64 dosis 3â‚ ¬45 dosis azul, oceanico, Marsella y rosa hidratante, 2,8572 dosis Azul 3 â‚ ¬ 750ml 3,67â‚ ¬ Azul y caricias. azul y caricias 4 â‚ ¬ 45 dosis Marsella y Aloe vera. 2,86â‚ ¬ 45 dosis 2,82â‚ ¬ azul, caricias, aloe vera 72 dosis 3,90â‚ ¬ azul, caricias y aloe vera4 litros 4,95 oferta, antes a 6,42 45 dosis Caricias 2,59â‚ ¬ Aloe vera 2,85â‚ ¬ 72 dosis 3,41â‚ ¬ Azul y flores72 dosis el 2,40â‚ ¬ flores blancas y brisa suave. 72 dosis es de 1,7â‚ ¬ colonia, aire rocio, aire prima, aire Marsella, aire pasion, aire verano, aire colonia. 2 litros 1,15â‚ ¬ 4litros 3â‚ ¬ 2 litros azul 2,15â‚ ¬72 dosis azul, spa, colonia, talco 1,60 â‚ ¬ 1,5 litros azul 2,15â‚ ¬ Conclusion: Empresas de suavizantes: UNILEVER Desde mediados del siglo XX, Unilever opera en Espana a traves de marcas presentes en la vida diaria de los espanoles. La presencia de Unilever en Espana se remonta a 1948. Desde entonces, ha experimentado un proceso de crecimiento similar al de la compania a nivel mundial. Actualmente, aproximadamente 1. 200 personas trabajan en nuestro pais, donde Unilever dispone de sus oficinas centrales en Barcelona y dos plantas industriales en Leioa (Vizcaya) y Aranjuez (Madrid). Ademas de una red comercial distribuida por todo el pais. En 2005, el grupo lanzo el programa One Unilever, con el que quiso reforzar su imagen corporativa. Mimosin es una marca emblematica en la categoria de suavizantes. De gran tradicion, siempre ha sido sinonimo de suavidad y caricia, ahora tambien incorpra fragancias para dejar en la ropa un agradable y fresco aroma. Mimosin esta presente en nuestros hogares desde hace varies generaciones y con una enorme notoriedad gracias a la presencia entranable de su icono: el osito de Mimosin. AC MARCA Notit pertenece al GRUPO AC MARCA, es un grupo internacional que tiene filiales en Portugal, Francia, Republica Checa, Mexico, Hungria, Rumania, Chile, Republica Eslovaca. Exporta a mas de 50 paises en todo el mundo. AC MARCA es la empresa que engloba las marcas enfocadas al cuidado del hogar: detergentes, limpiahogares, insecticidas†¦Sus marcas consolidadas y lideres en su segmento de negocio como NORIT, ALEX, YAK, ORION, GIOR e IBERIA estan en constante evolucion para ofrecer mejores soluciones adaptadas a las necesidades del consumidor del S. XXI. NORIT: NADA LAVA CON MAS CUIDADO. La marca lider en el cuidado de las prendas delicadas, ha evolucionado igual que sus consumidoras y hoy ofrece una amplia gama de productos para el cuidado de la ropa. Norit bebe (hipoalergenico), Cuidado delicado (a mano y a maquina), Pieles sensibles, Prendas modernas, Suavizante†¦ En 1944 nace la marca Norit, el primer detergente para lavar lana y seda, con su emblematico borreguito. En 1974 Norit crece con las versiones en liquido para lavado a mano. En 1995 se inicia la expansion internacional del grupo. HENKEL Henkel – A Brand Like a Friend – Este lema sintentiza la vision de hacer la vida de las personas mas facil, mejor y mas agradable con nuestras marcas y tecnologias. Con sede central en Dusseldorf (Alemania), Henkel cuenta con 52. 000 empleados en todo el mundo y es una de las empresas alemanas con mas presencia internacional en el mercado global. Consumidores de 125 paises en todo el mundo confian en las marcas y tecnologias de Henkel. El grupo aleman se instalo en Espana en 1960 tras comprar la empresa espanola Gota de Ambar, S. A. Actualmente Henkel Iberica cuenta con una plantilla de unos 1. 550 empleados. En 2008 la filial alcanzo unas ventas a terceros de 639 millones de euros. Henkel cuenta con 4 centros de produccion y distribucion en la Peninsula Iberica: Montornes del Valles, Sant Adria de Besos, Abrera y Sevilla, ademas de 3 centros de distribucion adicionales en Azuqueca de Henares, Castellbisbal y Sant Andreu de la Barca. Henkel opera en tres areas de negoci Vernel es la marca de suavizantes para la ropa que no solo suaviza tus prendas, sino que las deja con una agradable fragancia que permanece por mas tiempo. ?Caracteriscas del producto: Un frescor de ensueno Pieles sensibles Aromaterapia