BULK washer
Although advertising is often a reflection of society’s perceptions, it also has the power to influence the way the public understands stereotypes—a powerful tool in questioning accepted norms. Since the first washing machine, advertisements have placed women at the forefront of homemaking. What underlying ideologies does this reveal about society? Even today, the majority of cleaning advertisements target women as homemakers. How would a washing machine made for men differ from its previous counterparts? How would the resulting advertisement cater to the new audience? The key role advertising has in perpetuating gender roles, also has the power to change them.
This project uses playful language and graphics to highlight the gender stereotypes still present in our world today. After visiting London’s Science Museum and seeing The Secret Life of Home exhibit, I was inspired to unpick existing narratives and explore what is often overlooked. Through research, experimentation, and refinement, I aimed to understand the role advertising plays in perpetuating gender stereotypes—particularly within design and visual communication. I played around with visual tropes found in gendered marketing, including color, shape, and language. As a way to humorously critique existing narratives, I hope this project can bring to light some existing biases that often go undetected.
Design skills: Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Sketching
