Creative Concept 2

My House Looks Good in that Color

I was immediately taken by the “paint” chips advertising house siding. Versus simply showing the different color siding they sell, this advertisement allows you to see the siding in a “living” method. Asymmetrical balance and the rule of thirds are used in this layout. Strong value is assigned to the chips.

Creative Concept 1

Where Is His Mouth?

This advertisement immediately caught my attention because it is a jigsaw puzzle. I felt compelled to read it to figure out why the pieces representing the mouth are missing. I must admit that once I did read it I felt it was a wee bit corny. But because I stopped to read it, the designer has done their job. Strong value is assigned to the face and it is an asymmetrical layout.

Symmetry? Asymmetry? That Is the Question

Preappoved

Massey’s preapproval for credit is asymmetrically balanced in font size and placement of text and images on this page. The visual weight is heavy slightly above the center of the vertical center of the page and at the bottom. The weight of the black text varies against the weight of the non-black text.

Discover

Another cry to extend credit has my eye reading from top to bottom in a straight line; left to right. The shape of the page is rectangular. The text sits squarely in a vertical row. And though the fonts are different colors there is symmetry as to which words are darker. This request is symmetrically balanced.

Pop-Tarts

This push of sugar captures our eyes with a symmetrical balance of words and images. Again we are lead top to bottom and left to right. Though the fonts have different weights, overall the balance of all items is symmetrical. If you look closely, you can almost envision 3-4 scoops of ice cream (less, sugar, sweet) sitting in a cone (“introducing” to “Ice Cream Shoppe”).

Sauza

Again, this week Sauza fits the bill. The visual weight of this layout has a sharp contrast between the poured liquid and the text at the top and bottom of the page. The liquid creates a clear sense of movement. As well, the isolation of the liquid in the middle of the page leads to an asymmetrical balance.

Adobe’s InDesign CS5

I have been using Adobe's InDesign (CS3) for the past three years. I migrated to it from Corel Ventura. Change can sometimes lead to frustration. Though InDesign has great features, I had to learn them and missed some features from Ventura that are just now being released in InDesign CS5—specifically, the ability to span text across columns.

InDesign is a powerful program. The new CS5 features—interactive documents and presentations, simplified object selection, multiple page sizes, and of course, spanning text, will increase the value of the program to me.

I look forward to learning these new features and implementing them in my layout of publications.

Figure+Ground and Four Principles of Design

Figure/Ground

This book cover title “Positively Dangerous,” plays on figure and ground with the ascender and descender of the letter “p” and the letter “d.” The leading between words allows the ascender/descender to flow into each other. (I was unable to get the scanner to scan the entire cover.) If the entire cover were seen, however, the distinctiveness could be seen better.

Example of C.R.A.P.

Sauza Advertisement

This advertisement for Sauza follows C.R.A.P. in the following way:

C = the swirl of the liquid is a very unique element on the page. Its movement is fluid and directive.

R = the fonts used in the advertisement (top of page, ice cubes and tag line) are repetitive.

A =the swirl aligns itself horizontally with the text at top and bottom of the page. And it causes your eye to drop straight to the images (the product, as well as pitcher the liquid poured from and the glass it was poured in) in the lower right corner.

P = the swirl dropping down to the bottle puts the swirl and bottle in proximity. As well the text at the bottom of the page is lined up with the images on the bottom right.

I feel this is a good advertisement—I was drawn to read the text on the ice cubes which tell the story of how a group gathered for a book club drinking margaritas made from Sauza will have a great evening.

Assignment 1 - PBDS 502

Print Piece 1

This piece uses color well. However, there is strong competition on the page. Five sections have the same visual weight. The reader is not able to discern where to begin reading. (Poor design)

Print Piece 2
This piece is unfocused. The tree appears off in the distance and is swallowed by the colored background. Besides the words, one does not know that this is promoting miniature golf. The word color contrast is poor. (Poor design)

Print Piece 3
This piece's layout leads the eye in a direct path. It is clear that we are witnessing a progression of change. The images contrast well off a neutral colored background. (Good design)

Print Piece 4
Piece 4 has strong color contrast. It uses the image well—your eye looks at the tachometer and knows this piece is about a car. The head grabs your attention. And there is no doubt as to what is being advertised. (Good design)