The media emphasises on a ‘slender’ image for women and ‘lean’ physique for men on their magazine covers, billboards and TV commercials. This has put pressure on society, especially on the self-conscious ones of us. 

 

As I commenced this research project, starting from the secondary source, I began to learn and understand peoples’ views on body image. Are people dissatisfied with their body image? If so, has the media played a role in this?

 

Through my online surveys, I discovered that a higher percentage of females are dissatisfied with their body image. My research demonstrates that the media has affected women, however it has not necessary caused them dissatisfaction with their body image; as some claimed to have used the media for motivation to achieve similar motives. This indicates that the media has a positive impact on certain people in various ways, but not for all. As for the women who are dissatisfied with their body image, who are affected negatively by the media, this has led them to reckless eating disorders that could potentially lead to anorexia.

 

A percentage of men also share these views with women, although a slightly higher number of men stated that they are dissatisfied with their body. Men approach body image quite differently to women.

 

However, my research shows that more men do not feel insecure about their body after seeing models in advertisement. It can be seen that the media does not affect men as much as women, nevertheless men still aspire to the ‘lean’ and in some cases ‘muscular’ ideal. Some men do feel disappointed with their body when they are with friends who have bigger muscular features. This shows that friends can have a bigger impact on the individual than the media.

 

In conclusion, my analysis shows that some people are dissatisfied with their body image, by the media portraying an unrealistic body ideal. Some simply do not care whereas for others this is having a negative impact on. This fundamentally all relates back to what an individual’s aims and goals are for their body. This can vary from replicating and aspiring to be like a model or to be rather muscular than their friends.

 

Design Brief:

 

It is evident through both primary and secondary research that some people are confident with their body, whereas some are conscious. After endless research on body image, the design approach I endeavour to implement is to create a physical environment, consisting of aspects such as exposure, personal and presentational spaces for the individual; who either feels confident or body conscious to interact with.