Repellent design?

Posted by Rob Walker on June 23, 2009
Posted Under: Backlashing,The Designed Life

6a00d8345250f069e201157140ec1d970b-300wi6a00d8345250f069e20115704bcdf9970c-300wiThe Dieline points to the above images and this explanatory post on Pentagram’s site. Apparently it’s a reaction to the most recent anti-tobacco legislation. Pentagram’s DJ Stout “suggests that to comply with the crackdown, tobacco companies should embrace the restrictions and make cigarettes look truly dangerous.”

I guess these are meant to examples of that idea — but I think these packages look totally awesome.

(And by the way, re the text, I don’t know if that’s a real cigarette-package warning or not, but I’m pretty sure all regular smokers “eventually die.” Non-smokers too.)

Further diversion may be found at MKTG Tumblr, and the Consumed Facebook page.

Reader Comments

season 1 of MAD MEN pete suggested this… it was ’61 and cigs were just being called out for their health effects… he said to market them as really manly bc they are dangerous!

#1 
Written By jj on June 23rd, 2009 @ 1:03 pm

I think these are great, but the warning of “half of regular smokers eventually die” made me laugh. All cigarette smokers will eventually die. Everyone will eventually die. I don’t mean to be ugly, I get the point, just thought it was kinda funny.

#2 
Written By T. James on June 25th, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
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