Every group of collective teamwork must establish its identity through a logo, a vision statement or a well-designed uniform. Invented in the allure of war, the uniform came into existence well before the Chinese invented chopsticks.
Unifying everyone by offering a unique singularity, it offers a chance to make people perform on equal platforms, with an inherent constructive and competitive streak.
Whether you are an Ivy Leaguer or have grown up in the ghettos, what your parents do or did is washed away to a state of commonality, better expressed as a "point of restore".
The British used this simple concept to better rule, creating a palatable hierarchy through uniform segregation and integration, at the very core of the social fibre.
They managed to harness the power of homogenisation through the good design of uniforms -- almost like a new religion, where all were equal and ranked by virtue of performance, intelligence and other measurable qualities.
They mixed the uniform design with highly desirable accessories such as badges, medals, gun salutes and created the mass desire for upgrades, and waited patiently for the conversions to happen.
Ever since, the relevance of uniforms has changed considerably and so has their function. Fashion has crept slowly into our lives to bring about this necessary change.
Today, a uniform does not mean people wearing similar clothes only -- it has a bit more to do with recall value.
You or your team can impress clients with a few marketing tricks, but what the client will remember (and surely compare sooner or later) is the same experience elsewhere as an overall experience, mainly recalling the human contact, service, importance given to him or her and, most importantly, the visible familiarity and lack of visual hostility.
Smartly dressed or excellently turned out sales people could very well intimidate clients whereas a controlled uniform look might bring about a certain comfort factor while offering a memory of wanting to re-access that experience over the other.
A quick insight into the following pointers might offer the relevance and weightage we ought to give uniform design.
Schoolchildren can instantly be identified among a crowd if they are out on a trip or in a situation that requires recognition; more importantly, personal wealth differences that show up through fashionable clothes are laid to rest and one's background doesn't cast a shadow on individuality and talent.
Businesses and corporations can cleverly build a brand through good uniform design and use it as an extension of an effective marketing strategy, while creating a recall value for the customer through well planned, optimised visual appeal.
Additionally, for team members and co-workers, it is a constant reminder of their cohesiveness and camaraderie.
The services sector has a crucial interplay with the masses and hence a fantastic design that conveys the message of the company is required along with a practical, durable design that does not hinder functionality.
Medicine and politics too have propagandist appeal being disseminated through a uniform system that actually works well as it is so prudently plain and has a synergy that connects with people.
Finally, but importantly, as Indians we demonstrate respect to all chores of ceremonial or ritual functions, which evidently has a lot to do with conforming to a uniform of sorts.
Hence, be it daily routine, a bite at a fast food restaurant, a visit from a door-to-door salesman, a political rally, or checking-in at a hotel, one will find the uniform peering out from all corners and reflecting its variety while maintaining homogeneity, thus reestablishing the importance of uniform design.
