Post #5: Target Print Ad

This week I chose a Target print ad from the New Yorker that Target exclusively sponsored. The function of the ad is to appeal to the heart strings of readers by using NYC's Empire State Building, which even before 9/11 its was a trademark of the U.S. I originally saw the ad in the issue of the New Yorker that one of my professors had and I found the image online. The style of the design is relatively minimalistic. I love the combination of the almost hand drawn looking building contrasted to the harsh edges to the target symbols encompassing it. I also really like dark black into gray background and the subtle stars. There is no typograhy on this ad, the target symbol in the corner is enough of a statement for Target. Their symbol is recognizable nationwide, so that alone speaks for itself. The artwork is of really good quality. Target is one of the few nationwide chain stores that really has their advertising top notch. They spare no expense and realize the importance of it in the market. I was attracted to the piece because of its simple yet powerful message. Saying a million things without saying a word. My eye really caught that red jumping off the page on that black background, striking.

Post #4: Scion Billboard

This is a billboard advertisment for the 2006 Scion. The theme of the billboard is obviously geared toward Halloween. The function of the billboard ad is to get your product visual out there to the masses, while appealing to a person's slightly humorous side. I found this ad online while do some research on outdoor advertising. The style of the ad is very clean and straight-forward. I found it to be very eye-catching and just humorous to imagine seeing a car like this driving down the road. I also enjoy the way they divided up the space, a lot of ads can have trouble visually with that. The typography is a very simple sans serif and they did a little word play with the "Trick and Treat", which is cute. The piece exemplifies a good amount of quality in the artwork. Car companies generally put quite a bit of money into advertising. I was attracted to the piece because of the playful way they incorporated the season and its rather trendy car advertising layout.

Post #3: Wedding Invitation

This is a wedding invitation I found online while looking for ideas. The invitation's purpose is to formally announce the union of two individuals as well as usually inviting the guests to witness the event. Letting them know date, time and any other pertinent information. The style of the design is very relaxed and comfortable. The invitation is geared towards a tropical or beach type wedding so the style really evokes that. The typography fits very well into the theme. The mix of the italic and the script, to make the individuals names stand out, works very well together in the overall theme. The work has a good degree of quality to it, done by someone who has studied the elements of design. I was attracted to the piece because of the warm and casual feel to it. The same feeling you get when you think of the beach.

Post #2: Mountain Dew Print Ad

The image I chose this week is a print ad for Diet Mountain Dew. It serves as a promotional print advertisement for the Diet Mountain Dew product. I originally found it in a magazine but then found the image file online to post. The style of the design is rather simplistic with quite a it of empty space. They used a very eye catching color (that also reminds the reader of the product) that initially attracts the reader and then they draw you into the image of the sad puppy named Lucky. The tag line is what really sticks with you and creates a sense of humor about the ad; "Don't be fooled by a name". The typography is simple and subtle but it works great for the piece, nothing too overpowering. The artwork is definitely high quality and I wouldn't expect anything less from the Pepsi Company. I was initially attracted to the piece because of the color and once you read the tag line the humor factor really sticks with you. It was a really refreshing and innovative print ad to see.