Have you ever seriously thought about how the design of the cereal boxes we all know and (mostly) love has evolved over the last forty years?  Graphics design and marketing have shared a sensuous and intimate link since time out of mind, but never has this been so evident as in the case of cereal box design and marketing.  Many people who aspire to become graphic artists attend design schools on campuses all around the world or pursue an online education, which is invaluable for their success in the industry — but a lot of what they don’t teach you in college comes from the perfect storm of imagination, common sense, and the ability to exaggerate (or even lie about) the irrefutable facts of the matter in a way that consumers will find agreeable.  It sounds very shady on the surface, but it’s really not so bad, usually.  The ethical lines are often blurred, but seldom crossed unless there is some actual injury caused by misrepresentation.  In general, marketing experts have always found creative ways to include words that people want to hear in their ad campaigns — words that help sell things.  Here is how it has gone in the cereal business.  Click to enlarge the infographic below, and don’t forget to take notes!