[mks_dropcap style=”letter” size=”48″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]J[/mks_dropcap]anuary: it’s one of the most manipulative months. You might be thinking: what kind of statement is that and what does it have to do with communication science? Well, keep on reading and take a look at the photo gallery to find out.

When you cycle down the streets of the city centre, you will get the point. Overwhelmed by sale signs, you try to focus on the traffic and not on that cute sweater you see displayed in the window. Every store wants to tell you there is normally overpriced stuff you can buy for – still too – much money, which we think is a great idea. That is how much power advertisements, signs and publicity have. At the end of January, in spite of our new years resolutions, we are broke as hell. Will we ever learn?

Photos: Desiree Janssen / Final editing: Tamar Hellinga