Political Cups

I chose this cup as my fifth work of the week post, because I find it hilarious how much trouble Starbucks gets in for changing its cups. I mean I think it's cool, I wish they'd commission artists to design cups more often, but the public doesn't feel that way and let their voices be heard on Twitter. Starbucks released this cup the week before the election to send a message of unity to the country, but no one wanted to hear it—especially right before the election. The cup was drawn by Shogo Ota and portrays a coffee farmer, a family, a barista, friends embracing and more all connected drawn in a single line. I love how people can be so offended by a cup that they call it "political brainwash" and boycott the brand, when it's really just a cool drawing that your hand covers up anyway, but what do I know.

I think the objective here was really to build Starbucks brand up as inclusive and uniting, as well as a patron to art—they didn't just do for a simple graphic by someone that already works for them. Although this did backfire, it wasn't quite as bad as last years red Christmas cups (which they've already corrected this year).

I believe the target audience was all of America, well those who go to Starbucks. Though apparently this didn't sit well with quite a few people on both sides, and I'm sure an even greater number didn't mind it and didn't get the message.