World Heart Day is on September 29. Recalled this absolutely gross poster by British Heart Foundation for the 2006 World Heart Day, created by The Design Group.
It is disgusting, arresting, and evokes a visceral reaction in viewers. Amidst advertising that uses positive framing all the way, there are some causes and brands that sometimes deserve such tactics to get people to think hard on the crux of the communication (usually called ‘shockvertising’).
The other communication that I recall evoked such a visceral reaction in me was from Mudra Bangalore, for Bangalore Traffic Police, in 2009/2010. The set of 3 posters were equally arresting, and hammers the point about not using the phone while driving/riding in all its blood-splattering glory.
The most interesting part about this communication is the perspective – the usual method of conveying this danger is to show it from the point of view of the person speaking and riding/driving, and perhaps show them in some kind of immediate danger, present or past, because of the act of speaking on the phone. Here, the perspective is shifted to that of the other side of the call – the blame is equally on the other side to not stop the conversation immediately, and continuing it in a way putting the other side in danger! That’s brilliant lateral thinking that makes every single viewer of the communication culpable.