An advertisement’s aim is to instantly attract the attention of viewers. Some use humour to draw viewers’ attention, but there are other kinds of advertisements that go to extremes to present something different. As a follow up to our previous article 60 Humorous Advertisements That Will Tickle Your Bones, today we look at the opposite extreme to using humour in advertisements. Presenting another side to design, some of the advertisements shared in this article today may be a little visually disturbing or conceptually controversial.
Warning: Viewers Discretion Is Advised!
While some might find them somewhat perverse yet creatively brilliant, others might cringe and be disgusted or disapproving of their content or style. Everyone has a right to an opinion.
80 Controversial and Disturbing Print Ads
Let’s look at these advertisements objectively with an open and analytical mind and appreciate the creativity that went into it. One has to wonder how the creative directors and designers came up with these concepts. What was the thought process and rational behind their radical ideas? Was there prior censorship and surveying done in a control group before the decision to go ahead with the advert was made? No matter the response, such advertisements do exist and are on the rise. Does challenging the norm by being controversial and extreme payoff by leaving an impact or making an impression on viewers? This is an answer we’d love to find out.
Here are 80 controversial advertisements that challenge the boundaries of what is socially and morally acceptable with the use of dark humour and shock tactics. These print advertisements often use gore, vulgarity, sex, violence, and sometimes religion to promote their products or bring across the organisations’ message. These adverts either challenge social, political or moral propriety. That is why some of these advertisements are banned in certain countries. Although the use of such adverts can be effective, it is not for the faint of heart or small of mind. Not everyone can appreciate the beauty in such clever and deliberate ugliness.
Just liquid hand wash: Cockroaches
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Ariel: Pervert
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Amnesty International: Archery
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AMAM - Association of Women Against Genital Mutilation: Plastic doll
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Alka-Seltzer: New Year
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Alac: Kitchen
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Ace: Tarantula
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A Bela Sintra: Foot
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WWF: Blood
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Amnesty International: Red Little Tender
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Vergessen ist ansteckend: Tub
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TMF: Army
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Queer Travel.de
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Superette: Elevator
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AIDS Awareness Campaign: Gay
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Stella Coffee Pot: Spider
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SPID Advertising
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Solid Paint: Cross
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Skins: Defy Genetics
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Shared Responsibility: Kidnapping
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Semorin: Mustard
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Save the Children: Child Labour
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Sanctuary, Save the tiger: Binocular
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RSPCA: Woman
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Pedestrian Council of Australia: Family
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Popeye Detergent Hipoalergenic: Hell raiser
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Pastorini Toy Store
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Oust: Everything has consequences
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Nycomed: Agony
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Cerveira Art Biennial: Botticelli
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Pet flea & tick spot on: Haircut
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MTV: Shot, Girl
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Multiple Sclerosis Australia: Use By Dates
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Masterlock: Hippes
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Lung cancer awareness: One
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Love Life Stop Aids: Space
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Glassing Sunglasses: Kiss my glass
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Ariel Plus: Ketchup
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RSF: Ink
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IndyAct: Bobcat
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Workplace Safety Insurance Board: Sign
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Colombian Association of Arterial Hypertension: Home
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Humans for Animals: Seal
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Gringo’s Tequila: El Matador Peligroso
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Fur Free: Angry Fox
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Findus Fraich'Frites
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Foundation Abbé Pierre: The Lifeguard
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Filigranes Bookstore: Las Vegas
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Procter & Gamble / Febreze: Fly
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Fashion Outlet Zurich: Cow
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Family Network Foundation: Dad
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Ramorama: Expose Yourself
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Emirates Arthritis Foundation: Painful
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Government of the State of Santa Catarina: Hamburger
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Mettiamocilatesta.it
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13th Street
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Concordia Children’s Services: Piglets
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E.N.P.A: Spray
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Colin glass cleaner: Spider
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NoButts.org Anti-Cigarette Butt Pollution Campaign: Catfish
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Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers: England
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Child Health Foundation: The Scream
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Casa Do Menor: Hands
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Casa & Perfume air freshener: Fish
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Caribu Bitter: Poison
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Caribu Bitter: Canari
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Canex: Spaniel
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Eagle Print Awards 2009: Cactus
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NSW Health
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Aware Helpline: Verbal abuse
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Ashtraymouth: Roach girl
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Vancouver Aquarium
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YouthSPK
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One Life Shower
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Domestic Violence: Piece of meat
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The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
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Good Parent
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Domestic Violence: Living Room
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Descriminatie.nl
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Karabine
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Too Much To Handle?
What do you think of these extreme advertisements? Do you think their shock tactics worked? Are you for or against such advertising concepts? If these are not the most shocking or disturbing advertisements you’ve seen or you’ve seen others that deserve a mention, feel free to share them with us. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of extreme advertising prints.
