http://maxcdn.thedesigninspiration.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/smoking/smoking-kills-speed-l.jpg
In this billboard, there is a clear association drawn with smoking and death. Why did the creator of this billboard use something that is used to kill something other than oneself to show that one could kill themselves? In what way does the billboard use what's acceptable to society to make it's point? What does it assume about it's intended audience's feelings toward cigarettes, and bullets?
Hope to see some good ideas!
Prompt 1: The creator of this advertisement never says that either the bullet or the cigarette will kill you. Although this is true, the creator implies that each will kill you; one faster than the other. The creator understands that the general public knows that people die from bullet wounds everyday. The general public might not realize that cigarettes lead to death as well. By implying that each item will kill you and correlating bullets with cigarettes, the creator tries to make the audience realize that they will die no matter what, but that they have the choice to get help or not.
ReplyDeleteWhat about how bullet's aren't really used to kill oneself? Could that association break that effect on the audience?
DeleteIf you think of the bullet as something that kills someone else besides yourself, it could be referencing how second-hand smoke is dangerous and could eventually lead to the death of someone, showing that smoking is like shooting whoever is around you when you smoke. You could also think of the bullet from more of a suicide point of view, where you could shoot yourself or just smoke, and either will cause you to die.
DeleteIt might have the opposite effect, encouraging slightly suicidal people that smoking is a better option than a bullet. Considering that everyone dies eventually, smoking doesn't actually take off as much of your life as a bullet does.
ReplyDeleteAs agroup we feel a sense of sarcasm considering the wording of the advertisement. "Want help" could that untentionally mean "do you want help killing youself or someone else." Also, "you can do it. we can help." could possibly mean you can kill yourself or others and the organizations can help you do it. these thoughts are more than likely completely unintentional but is not explicitly stated.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the size of the bullet does not seem plausible. A cartridge the size of a cigarette would not be stereotypically used to kill yourself. A cartridge of that size would only be used in a firearm of at least 30" long which would be very hard to handle when trying to hurt ones own self. A cartridge of that size would aslo cause a lot of recoil and damage towards the shooter which does not seem plausible in connection to the cigarette.