# Medicating Models Controversial Pill-Popping Portraits for Vice Magazine By Bianca | Published 2009-07-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vice-magazine-pills References: [viceland](http://www.viceland.com/int/v16n6/htdocs/fashion-pill-poppers-907.php) When Ed Zipco whipped out his lens to photograph models [popping pills](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-pill-organizers), he sought to make this controversial stereotype of a habit look beautiful. The spread was featured in—what else?—Vice Magazine and features young models shoveling blue, turquoise and red capsules into their mouths by the handful. No doubt these photos were taken by Ed Zipco in an effort to evoke [controversial debate](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwcurated) among viewers, and arouse opinion they have. **Implications** - EXPLORE THE CONCEPT OF MEDICATION IN RELATION TO DRUGS Taking medication was once considered a geriatric problem, limited to older adults. However, many people use medication, it is simply not taked about, and with such, references to medication may be controversial but they are intriguing at the same time. The [glamorization of medicine](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natures-truth) is an interesting development that businesses should be considerate of when creating products that are meant to enhance consumer's lives. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Glamorizing Medication:** Exploring the concept of medication in relation to drugs and the glamorization of medicine can open up disruptive innovation opportunities in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. - **Controversial Stereotypes:** Examining controversial stereotypes around pill-popping and the portrayal of habits can lead to disruptive innovation in the media and advertising industries. - **Taboo Conversations:** Addressing the taboo nature of conversations around medication and drugs can create disruptive innovation opportunities in the wellness and mental health industries. ### Who This Affects Most - **Healthcare:** The glamorization of medication and exploring its relationship with drugs can disrupt the traditional approaches in the healthcare industry. - **Pharmaceutical:** Understanding the controversial stereotypes around pill-popping can open up disruptive innovation opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry to create medications with alternative forms and packaging. - **Media:** Examining and challenging controversial portrayals of habits like pill-popping can lead to disruptive innovation opportunities in the media industry to create more nuanced and responsible narratives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Medicine-Inspired Artful Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/something-for-the-pain.md) - [Design-Led Pill Organizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-stylish-pill-box.md) - [Friendly Medication Dispenser Units](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mymemo-pill-dispenser.md) - [Microdosing Edible Subscriptions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microdosing-edible.md) - [Modernized Waste-Free Medication Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-medicine-dispenser.md) - [Contraceptive-Themed Press-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chillhouse-x-opill.md) - [Chewing Gum Medication](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medgum.md) - [Dosage-Managing Medicine Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medeasy.md) - [See-Through Medical Device Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyberpunk-inhaler.md)