Self-Esteem as a Social Cause

In my Graphic Design class we are doing a project of creating a poster for a social cause. As we were brainstorming and researching issues, it dawned on me to somehow tie it in with my issue of sex selling. While feeding the hungry and being aware of Global warming are the first issues that come to mind, what about the issue of how we perceive ourselves?

I'm currently working on ideas with Barbie for this project. Maybe a poster of a "single working mother Barbie" or a naked Barbie with phrases of how to become like her. (ex. "breast implants" or "purge food after every meal") I'm trying to go for a strong visual that will catch the eye and draw them in to read on. Any thoughts?

Guerilla Girls on the loose

Guerila Girls: re-inventing the f-word... feminism

check out this website: http://www.guerillagirls.com/


Basically, they are a group of women on a rampage to improve sexism issues today. They are fighting for more women directors and their place in the Oscars, women in the White house, and women around the world.

Not only are they provacative, but they are real.

Impacting products

As I was searching the About-face website for some ideas for a social poster for self-esteem, I stumbled onto some of their products in the "support us" section. These products use sarcasm and imagery to impact they way women view themselves.

About-Face.org

"About-face.org promotes positive self-esteem in girls and women of all ages, sizes, races and backgrounds through a spirited approach to media education, outreach and activism."

http://www.about-face.org/

Check out these features:
- Gallery of Offenders
- Gallery of Winners

Crazy Target Ad

What one brand comes to mind when you hear "red and white rings/circles"? If you guessed right, I'm gonna go with Target. In the past couple years, Target has been breaking the boundries of ads and creating a whole new way of looking at things.

Here's a series of three ads:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5319927831183203119&q=target+commercial&hl=en

Now this is crazy. At first, I had no idea what was going on, but look at the window past the guy.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6001829000236365981&q=target+commercial&hl=en

Doves campaign for REAL BEAUTY

So, since most of my posts show the negative depictions in advertising, I'd thought I'd give some props to those who are doing it right.


Here's an article discussing these ads. Some people think that it is helping to change the stereotype of thinness and others think that the girls are a little too chubby to be up on a billboard wearing not much. What do you think?

"Dove marketing director Kathy O'Brien says that the company wants the ads to "change the way society views beauty," and "provoke discussion and debate."

"Meanwhile, Slate.com's Seth Stevenson says that the campaign, noble or not, is bad business because eventually it will doom Dove as the "brand for fat girls."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8813128/site/newsweek/

Maxim covers

1 step under porn (but yet one of the number 1 selling magazines)

Sex survey

* I was so suprised that this was even on the website. I feel like I know these women a bit too much now. But, I guess it helps men really understand women and how they think.

SEX

How many times a week do you masturbate?
Never: 25%
1-7: 75%

Have you ever used a sex toy?
Yes: 81%
No: 19%

With a man?
Yes: 74%
No: 26%

If yes, what was it? (Choose all that apply.)
Vibrator: 70%
Beads: 4%
Whip: 12%
Restraints: 28%
Other: 9%

What’s your favorite sexual position?
Missionary: 13%
Woman on top: 42%
Doggy Style: 45%

Have you ever French-kissed a girl?
Yes: 60%
No: 31%
Yes, quite often: 9%

At what age did you lose your virginity?
Under 16: 29%
16-30: 71%

Spit or swallow?
Spit: 38%
Swallow: 53%
I abstain from BJs: 9%

What’s the most number of people you have fooled around with at one time?
1: 44%
2: 35%
3: 17%
4+: 4%

Have you ever participated in a threesome?
Yes: 26%
No: 55%
No, but I’d like to: 19%

If yes, who was involved?
Two gals, one guy: 70%
Two guys, on gal: 15%
I’ve had ’em all: 15%

Have you ever been caught faking an orgasm?
Yes: 16%
No: 84%

Are you a member of the mile-high club?
Yes: 17%
No: 83%

Have you ever had sex with more than one guy in the same family?
Yes: 9%
No: 91%

Hometown hotties

Maxim: a magazine for men

http://www.maximonline.com/hotties/gateway.aspx?cYear=2006

feel free to surf around on this section of the site...

Don't forget to watch the hotties videos, play the hotties games, and take the hotties sex survey.

who's your favorite?

If you're wondering what kind of electronic is being compared to this woman... it's a phone. Apparently they will "both look great sitting next to you on the couch." Really? Now, I KNOW that this ad was not created by a woman. Any woman who respects herself would be offened by this advertisement. Not only is she compared to something that can be bought, but she's displayed in a scandelous/ hooker-like outfit. But, if she'll look good on the couch... we'll take her!

GQ Covers

If these don't attract the male sex, I'm scared of what they will put on the cover next...

GQ Magazine

Basically this magazine has been created for men. What does it cover? Fashion, Grooming, and Girls... the essentials in every man's life. While I was searching for the offical website, I stumbled across this website:

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/Girls/#

There's a total of 176 different sections of pictures to look through. They've got the Playboy bunnies, Christina Aguilera, and every linerie company you can think of. but I'm sure that all the guys who look at these pictures have COMPLETE respect for these women.

Black Flys

So, how good do these sunglasses look on her?

Hooter girl requirements

Not only do they ave to wear those ridiculous socks, tight ass tanks, and painted on orange shorts, but there's a criteria for hair, eyes and lips, make-up, skin care, and exercise.

http://www.hooters.com/hootersgirl/

My favorite quotes:

HAIR: "Not everyone should be blonde!" and "You never know when you will be photographed or asked to go on a photo shoot or promotion. Be sure to always look camera ready!"

EYES: "Don't use heavy pencils or dark shadows to define your eyebrows. This can leave you looking stern rather than STUNNING!"

CHEEKS: "Don't forget to wear blush! Doing so will leave you looking lifeless!"

SKIN: "Good skin is not just about what you put on your skin, but how you conduct your life."

MAKE-UP: "THE LOOK" Hooters Girls are expected to uphold a consistent image by maintaining a routine that provides each with a NATURAL, WHOLESOME, VIBRANT LOOK."

Hooters... the owls, of course!

One random Sunday, a friend and myself decided to have lunch. Since the place we had in mind was closed, we decided to head on over to Hooters. As soon as we walked in the joint, we were looked up and down by at least five guys and surrounded by girls in tiny ass orange shorts and their "girls" up to their chins. Awkward... I'd say yes. Right when we sat down, we were approached by one of the bus boys and immediatly he was flirting with us. Next, our waitress came over and threw the routine line at us, "Can I get ya somethin to drink?" As our dining experience went on, we got to not only see these girls do a little dance and try and make a little love tips, my friend and I decided to actually talk to our waitress. Turns out she's a student a UC Fullerton, studying to be a teacher and is about to graduate. Who would have thought? That's when I felt bad. I wonder how many times her customers actually talk to her and not hit on her. How could she do that to herself? Obviously the money is good, but so is working the corner Saturday nights. So, what really keeps her working there? According to our waitress, Chelsea, every girl who was hired that didn't have a boob job, left with a new set of "girls", with the encouragement of the management. WHAT ARE THESE GIRLS THINKING!? Do they really think that their customers respect them?
My final words: If a girl puts making money over self-respect, she might as well throw in to towel and go big, cuz she's not going home!