December graphic design graduate Lucas Quinteros earned the Best in Show Award for the work he created for NMU’s Senior Art Exhibition preceding commencement. 

Quinteros describes his work in the following artist’s statement:

Why wait? Buy today! Right now. Nothing says happiness like owning ONE MORE thing! We’ve got something that you never knew you wanted, but have always needed. You deserve more. 

Does this sound familiar to any of you? 

Living in a material world can be quite draining. It feels like no matter what I do, I am bombarded with advertisements for the next best thing (on sale for a limited time only). I eventually became so saturated by the blaring calls to action that I began to notice trends in these methods of marketing. How do you target a customer? How about a male one? How about one that loves the earth? What about your gay friends? And you can’t forget mom! 

Within marketing, there lies an element of manipulation that targets viewers like me and you. They boil each of us down to our most baseline characteristics, and pander, in a desperate attempt to make a buck. Here, I have marketed a baseline item, essential to anyone who was blessed with a digestive system. Regardless of this universality, however, I offer products that continue to pander. A men’s version, women’s version, queer version, and an eco-friendly option. 

Next time you go to the store, look deeper, and think harder. Look at the Dude Wipes™ in your cart and wonder, why am I buying expensive wet wipes? Why fall into the mold that capitalism has made for you?