Demotivational Poster
| Meme | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | |
| Date Started: | early 2000s |
| Related: | Alignment Charts |
| See Also: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Demotivational posters are a meme format that emerged in the early 2000s.
Origin and spread
Demotivational posters generally feature a large image with a thin coloured border on a black background. Below this image, in a serif font in the same colour as the border, there is a large single-word or short caption. Below this caption, in smaller, usually white text, there is a longer ironic or sarcastic sub-caption.
The meme format has its origins in novelty posters sold by Despair, Inc. beginning in the late 1990s.[1] These posters were created as a parodies of motivational poster designs sold by Successories, which became somewhat ubiquitous as innocuous décor in offices, waiting rooms, and similar settings from the 1980s onward.[1][2]
This format influenced other memes that emerged in the 2000s such as alignment chart memes.[3][4]
Gallery
Johnny the Homicidal Maniac version by SunnyArts (2014). This meme features a fanart redraw of an original JtHM comic panel.
The Legend of Zelda version by Mcl-The-Blue-Madness (2011).
Pokémon version by kiriyamakazuouzi11 (2009).
RWBY version by JustRWBY-RK (2016).
Skyrim version by Gamma099 (2012).
External Links
References
- ^ a b Corinne Purtill , "Dorky motivational posters invented internet memes and changed the way we make fun of work", Quartz, 16 February 2018
- ^ "Treats for Your Inner Cynic", ABC News, 17 June 2008
- ^ "Warcraft Alignment Chart" by TheRabidArtist on DeviantArt
- ^ "Brawl Alignment Chart" by TheRabidArtist on DeviantArt