Inspirational posters were unironically hung on the walls of offices around the world for a brief period of time, but Instagram photos sharing a similar ethos have raised their earnest heads once again; Unspiration is a poster company that's had enough of the platitudes and false aphorisms. It sells "museum-quality" posters with images that are intentionally uninspiring — if not downright pessimistic.
The artwork and messages on Unspiration posters play off of the aforementioned inspirational posts that are common on sites like Instagram. For example, one of the posters has an image of a lone woman standing at the edge of a beautifully serene mountainside lake, a picture that would typically accompany some lame maxim about life and love. But above the woman, in a chicly handwritten font, reads a giant "NO".
Pessimistic Poster Projects
'Unspiration' Sells Ironically Woeful Anti-Inspiration Posters
Trend Themes
1. Anti-inspiration - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create products and services that focus on anti-inspiration and cater to those who appreciate irony and humor in their daily lives.
2. Unconventional Art - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace unconventional and provocative artwork that challenges traditional notions of aesthetics and messaging.
3. Satirical Marketing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop satirical marketing campaigns that playfully mock the saccharine and clichéd advertising strategies commonly seen in the industry.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new avenues for artistic expression by creating unconventional, anti-inspirational artwork that resonates with a niche market.
2. Home Decor - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce a line of unconventional home decor products, such as anti-inspirational posters, that cater to individuals who appreciate unique and thought-provoking design.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create satirical marketing campaigns that subvert traditional advertising methods, effectively engaging customers through humor and irony.