What strategy did the visual signifier (white cap/red star) employ to transform the standard item for Marshal Zhukov?
It transformed an otherwise standard item into an exclusive artifact signaling, 'This is specifically for you'
The deliberate modification of the cap served as a powerful, immediate visual cue aimed directly at Marshal Zhukov. While the colorless liquid provided camouflage to the general public, the white cap adorned with the red star signaled exclusivity and tailored service to the intended recipient. This method turns a mass-produced commercial item into a bespoke artifact, signaling that unique accommodations were made solely for his consumption. This principle of using packaging variation to signify unique purpose remains a relevant tool in modern branding, even if the underlying stakes have shifted from geopolitical necessity to commemorative marketing.
