Context is Everything

What does this say?

If you read that as Obama (as in Barack Obama, presumptive Democratic candidate for the US Presidency), you’re probably an American. If you haven’t heard of Obama (although now that he’s the “biggest celebrity in the world” I don’t know who you would be), I don’t think there’s any way you’d be able to read this sticker correctly. 08ama? Huh?

For the record, I think this is a great design. Witty, eye catching, and it says what it’s trying to say stylishly and in a minimum of space. But it shows that you have to know your audience. If you presume that people already know how to read your clever design work, you’d better be right. Otherwise this would be as helpful as a  sticker reading 317537 (which is how you can type “LESLIE” on a upside down calculator.)

You can buy your own stickers on Ebay. You know, if you’re supporting 08ama.