How a Creative Director Turned Starbucks Cups Into Art

Ever stared at your plain white Starbucks cup and wished it said something—anything—back? Or maybe just made you smile on the way to work? One man decided those paper to-go cups didn’t have to be boring.

An American advertising creative director named Josh Hara sketched over 100 illustrated designs on standard Starbucks coffee cups—not for a client, but just for fun. He set himself a goal: 100 coffee cup drawings, shared online.

Why Josh Hara Started Drawing on Coffee Cups

Josh Hara, a creative director at an advertising agency in the United States, had a simple idea: Starbucks takeaway cups were the perfect blank canvas. One day, he picked up his usual cup and started doodling. What began as a spontaneous act soon became a personal creative challenge. He decided to draw on 100 cups, sharing the results on Twitter and Instagram.

The Artwork: Humor, Satire & Coffee Love

Hara’s illustrations weren’t traditional latte art. They included sly humor, pop culture references, and visual gags. Some highlights:

• A commentary on “saving the chubby kids”
• “Originally, happiness is all”
• The “truth about Superman in the phone booth”
• A cheeky “chocolate hot drink—beware of side effects”
• Caffeine-fueled positivity
• A “how to spot a man” guide
• Observations on smartphone zombies and oddly long necks

These drawings transformed an everyday object into a tiny, shareable moment of joy.

The 100-Cup Challenge: Execution & Platform

Hara committed to illustrating 100 Starbucks cups. He documented his progress online via Twitter and Instagram—platforms that were, at the time, vital for sharing visual creative work. Though those sites are now restricted in some regions, the project originally reached a wide audience online. His goal wasn’t fame or product promotion, but daily creativity and smiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Josh Hara?

Josh Hara is an American creative director working in advertising. He is known for starting a personal art project where he drew humorous and satirical illustrations on Starbucks coffee cups.

How many coffee cups did Josh Hara draw on?

Josh Hara set out to draw on 100 Starbucks coffee cups as part of a self-imposed creative challenge. He completed the series and shared the artwork online.

Where did Josh Hara share his coffee cup drawings?

Hara posted his illustrated coffee cups on Twitter and Instagram. These platforms allowed him to share his work with a broad online audience, although access to those sites may be restricted in some countries.

What kind of art did he draw on the cups?

The cup illustrations included dark humor, social commentary, pop culture references, and affectionate takes on coffee and daily life. Examples include jokes about Superman, chocolate drinks, and internet culture.

Was this project sponsored by Starbucks?

No, this was a personal artistic project by Josh Hara. He used standard Starbucks takeaway cups and created the drawings independently, without any brand partnership or commercial intent.

Why did he choose Starbucks cups?

Hara saw the standard white Starbucks to-go cup as a widely available, recognizable, and convenient blank surface—perfect for quick, portable, and shareable illustrations.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Cup Sketching Mornings

If you're inspired by Josh Hara’s cup art and want your own coffee to feel just as unique, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright citrus and floral notes, or Yirgacheffe for juicy berry tones that pair well with morning creativity. For something richer, their Black Cocoa Blend brings deep roast sweetness—great when you need a bold start. All beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.