I've always liked the RecycleBuddies article (there's something really fascinating about people obsessing over seemingly trivial creative decisions, and the thought processes behind advertising mascots and the like), but the connection between gay men and bottled water is a stereotype I am unaware of. Was that a thing? Or does it exist only in the fictitious designer's imagination?
And the Onion revisited the theme of the Japan article last year:
I had the same question about the bottled water! I think it's just The Onion showing that this designer is overthinking. If it's real, it's not something I've ever heard mentioned.
And thank you for sharing that Chinese landmass article. That's really silly, but I like it.
I looked to see if you had covered the "ethnic recyclables" article because it's one of my favorites - a classic! - but also because I wanted to see if you had any hard evidence for what I'd always suspected, that the article was spoofing the *real* cartoon mascots adopted by the NYC Sanitation Department in the '00s.
I don't have an exact year on when they first became a thing - approximately 2002, if you trust the New York Post? - but there's no way the green recycle bin character didn't inspire the Onion's green bin character.
I've always liked the RecycleBuddies article (there's something really fascinating about people obsessing over seemingly trivial creative decisions, and the thought processes behind advertising mascots and the like), but the connection between gay men and bottled water is a stereotype I am unaware of. Was that a thing? Or does it exist only in the fictitious designer's imagination?
And the Onion revisited the theme of the Japan article last year:
https://www.theonion.com/pentagon-warns-chinese-landmass-could-break-off-and-zoo-1849665211
I think it reappeared on their home page in the wake of the Chinese spy balloon incidents.
I had the same question about the bottled water! I think it's just The Onion showing that this designer is overthinking. If it's real, it's not something I've ever heard mentioned.
And thank you for sharing that Chinese landmass article. That's really silly, but I like it.
I looked to see if you had covered the "ethnic recyclables" article because it's one of my favorites - a classic! - but also because I wanted to see if you had any hard evidence for what I'd always suspected, that the article was spoofing the *real* cartoon mascots adopted by the NYC Sanitation Department in the '00s.
https://www.queenoftheclick.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ny-sanitation-mascot.jpg
I don't have an exact year on when they first became a thing - approximately 2002, if you trust the New York Post? - but there's no way the green recycle bin character didn't inspire the Onion's green bin character.
Thank you for this info! Makes sense that it could have influenced The Onion, especially as the staff relocated to NYC in 2001.
I might have the flier with those characters lying around the apartment somewhere - if I can find it I'll scan it and post it!
Oh awesome! But please don't rip apart the apartment looking 😁😁😁