Unusual Graphic Design Jobs: Branding a City's Condom

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist

According to a recent report in the New York Times, New York City is considering branding its own condoms. Though this is one of the more unusual graphic design jobs on the market, designers are already dreaming up the perfect logo for the project.

While New York City health department employees are mostly mum on the topic of a city-branded condom, spokespersons have indicated that the city is considering whether to market a condom so city officials can better measure how effective their condom distribution program is. According to the Times, the city distributes one million condoms each month. A unique logo would help researchers spot discarded wrappers more easily.

Graphic Design Professionals Tackle a Big Challenge on a Small Wrapper

Some graphic design experts suggest that a logo for the project should include classic icons of the city, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, or the Brooklyn Bridge. Other firms competing for the graphic design job reject those ideas as clichés, opting instead for an edgier logo that would be attractive to local residents.

Not Your Everyday Graphic Design Job

In addition to the graphic design challenges the project poses, competitors must also consider the project’s socio-political sensitivities. The Times reported that many religious and right-wing groups contend that slapping an official logo on condoms encourages promiscuity. Meanwhile, graphic design professionals working on their bids must balance the demands of working on a government project with the expectations of citizens that might actually use the logo-branded condoms.

Any professional that lands this graphic design job can expect lots of controversy and lively debate.

Sources
The New York Times

About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who often writes on topics related to education and career development.