Pop art designers were influenced to paint celebrities, soda cans, and other ordinary objects because they wanted to reflect the true essence of American culture. They were interested in elevating everyday, mass-produced items to the level of high art, and in questioning traditional notions of what could be considered art. Additionally, they were drawn to the visual language of advertising and consumerism, and wanted to incorporate those elements into their work in order to comment on the commercialization of society.