Right now, I
could use graphic design software to create a concept product, and
with the power of the internet, cause some company in some corner of
the world to produce it. How could I go about this? Attribute it to a
certain corporation and convince enough of its fanbase, its fanboys,
to believe that it is a real product to be released at an
undetermined date. If your concept is convincing enough, pressure
from the competition is enough to materialize the product into
reality.
I exchanged
some anonymous emails with an anonymous designer and internet
personality. From his emails, I was able to ascertain that he saw
himself as some sort of hacker. “I'm making shit come alive by
breaking into people's minds.”
Of course,
Koopmink assures me that he has never been an Apple employee, but
that he is bringing the iWatch into the public consciousness. “Now
another company is going to work on it just cause they can't risk
falling behind Apple,” he said. Whether he actually was the first
to spread the rumor of some sort of Apple watch, I am not sure.
Truly, who can say for certain that they are responsible for
something on the internet?
Most
products never leave the concept stage, he admits, but that doesn't
stop him from imagining product after product. Koopmink doesn't seem
to have a job. He doesn't get paid for any of the fake products he
produces, but the satisfaction of knowing that he's secretly behind a
popular product is enough payment for him. He sees himself as some
sort of a Banksy, a graffitti artist of the internet.
In fact,
Koopmink often ventures into highways to “edit” highway signs and
advertisements. He assures me that anyone who has driven around
enough has seen his work. He used to work for an advertising company
and often vandalized his own work. I am not sure, but he basically
implied that they asked him to leave quietly instead of firing him.
Koopmink has
high hopes for 3D printing. “Once I can bring out my concepts in
real life, I'll go beyond just design and release fake pictures of
seemingly real-looking products,” he promised.
Like Banksy,
I believe that Koopmink will eventually cross into the public
consciousness. It's only a question of time until someone realizes
the connection between him and his rumor-mill. Like Banksy, I expect
him to somehow begin profiting from his rumors and attributed works.
