Photo Credit: Thu Hoang Ly/San Jose Mercury News
In our visual journalism class we have just begun to discuss the persuasive characteristics of typography in design. A simple visual analysis of this product may serve as an excellent example. In the highly competitive energy drink market packaging is everything. From the choice of the CocaCola red background to the chalky cocaine white lettering, this design is not only made to standout but also stop people in their tracks for a double take. There is no mistaking the overt symbolism here, but it does make a person think about the ethical implications of selling a product that associates itself with an opiate.
The San Jose Mercury News has a story about how the drink is being pulled from the shelves of a local Seven-Eleven store because of the possible backlash consumers might have toward the convenient market chain. Apparently the drink is popular with teenage girls.