Journal #11

Double bubble?

This is an advertisement for a “no drowsiness gum” found overseas. The image of the ad is trying to sell gum that will prevent you from falling asleep. One of the most important times to never fall asleep is while driving. You see a man falling asleep, but the gum is keeping him from putting his head on the wheel, forcing him to remain awake. However there is a lot of connotation in this ad. It suggests that a piece of no drowsiness gum is going to keep you from falling asleep at the wheel. In reality, we all know that if one is extremely sleep deprived, there is nothing that is going to prevent them from falling asleep. Most caffeine induced “highs” always come crashing down after a few hours.

I feel as though the image correctly depicts the point of the product. But it is so exaggerated that I almost want to laugh at the ad, rather than take it seriously. I then ask, how does one piece of gum keep you awake? I think the image works for what the product is trying to sell. I do not think it works in a way to make people want to buy the product. It brings a tone of humor, and some people I feel would be offended when joking about falling asleep at the wheel.