White Space is not Your Enemy:
1. Margins: I love that picture at the top has no margins - that it just takes you completely inside of the world that they are trying to create. However, the margins around the print text definitely work well because they are even all around.
2. Tags: I love the tags in this picture. Disney has a very easy to spot logo and even though it is only in small print at the bottom of the large picture, it still manages to stand out.
3. Center Everything: Even though this is listed as a sin, I think the text being centered all works for the ad. Perhaps this is particularly effective because the picture is so much larger and takes up most of the attention.
4. Trapped Negative Space: There is none - while there is negative space, it is evenly balanced and helps the wording stand out on the ad.
5. Busy Background: While the picture is busy, it has purpose and does not serve as the background to the text which was a smart choice.
6. Bad Bullets: There are no bullets at all, and no real need for them.
Rule Designs You Can Break:
7. Use a Minimal # of Font Faces: Disney does this very effectively. The basic font provides information while the magical Disney font really pops out.
8. Don't Use Too Many Colors: While there are great colors in the ad, I think they are very successful in using just a soft blue and black for the information.
9. Make Your Sites' Goal Obvious: Taking a trip and staying on Disney property is definitely obvious!
10. Use Different Colors for Text and Background: Again, successful! It is easy to read all of the print text and the ad is clear and obvious.
Part 2: I looked at letterhead that my colleague and I use for National Honor Society. I have always hated it because it is SO boring and I thought this was a great chance to remake it!
My first letterhead was very traditional and very boring. While the information was easy to read, the letterhead was not memorable. By adding the graphic of the tiger (we are the Bloomfield Bengals!) I think it more memorable. I also like that there is still white space, but it all works with the design - none of it is negative white space. Finally, I like the softer font and think it is more interesting and more representative of our group.
Part 3: I opted to complete the final exercise listed (p. 87 of Design Basic Index)
This was my first ad which was very simple and straight forward. I used the basic design elements with the pictures lined up on front, the text in the middle and the title of the toy story at the bottom. I used a pink font for the middle tag line and the bottom to accent the title of the shop, but I like the black font in the middle because it is easy to read.
This was my second attempt at making a print ad for the Pretty, Pink Princess Shoppe. I think it is more creative than the first ad, but I had a hard time laying out the pictures and feel like there is a little too much white space in the upper right hand corner. However, I think having the pictures in "framed" circles is very effective for the feel of the shop (shoppe!) and I think that the point is still easy to get across.
This is my favorite ad out of the 3. I really like the added princess wand (even though it looks slightly off center!). I also like the change in font. However, I took what I liked about the others (the pink colored fonts and tag lines) and incorporated them into an ad that I really like. I think there is a little too much white space in this one when I look at it here, but it is pretty good for a simple Word document!
Susan, you did a great job on mini art school! I was panicked about using Word to create the ad because I ALWAYS have trouble with margins and photos not moving where I would like them to (Yes, I had these same struggles this time too but oh well) I'm super impressed with your ads and I think they are very well done, especially for using Word! There were elements of each that I liked a lot. In the first one, I kind of liked the row of pictures across the top, yet in the second one I liked the oval shape and that they went across the page on a diagonal. I would have to agree with you though, I think the third is your best. The wands are a nice touch, and I think the font choice is the best one of the three. I also thought the color change was good; it is still a very girly pink, but very readable. Overall, great job and try not to laugh at mine if you look :)
ReplyDeleteSusan, first off I wanted to say that I love your advertisements! In the second ad, since the images are in ovals it looks very artsy! The color and the font style also make the advertisement look very appealing. How long did it take you to design it?
ReplyDeleteAlso I agree with you in regards to the original letterhead being very traditional. With just the added image of the tiger, it gives it such a bold look. It immediately attracted my attention.
Thank you everyone! I had a lot of fun with making the ads, though admittedly they took me some time to make! The first one was easy because it was so traditional, but the other two took some time and patience! I think it must be a little easier to make the ads on better software, but it was cool to see that I could make something artsy on Word since that is a program that I use so often!
ReplyDeleteThanks also for the feedback on the letterhead! I want to keep working on it and make it even more unique for next year!
Susan, I was looking for some inspiration for this blog and your efforts are fantastic. I love the Disney ad. I have always thought Disney was brilliant at marketing. I like how they know the rules so well that they know when they can break them to make a greater impact. I found your letterhead change to be much more engaging. The tiger brings color, school spirit, and movement to the ad. That dynamic is a good hook to grab the attention of the reader. Finally, the princess ads. I really liked that here you are the designer. I found the flow on the second piece to be stimulating but I think that the third effort was more professional and really did a great job being fun and light. I love the wand but I think perhaps only one small one in the corner because there is so much information and the photos are really interesting. I wonder if the text might be shortened and bulleted just to really give key facts. All in all, Susan, you are such a great person to have in this class. You bring enthusiasm, technical talent, and authenticity to the class. You are a wonderful inspiration. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI am with your colleagues above -- these exercises were completed as magically as Walt Disney himself! The extra time and effort you put into each task is obvious and it paid off -- it's clear your fellow peers are as awed as I am with your artistic talents in each of these tasks! Very well done!
To start, I am in complete agreement with each of the points you made in reference to the Disney ad you selected to critique -- even when sins were committed, it still WORKED -- it's great you recognized this when applicable (such as the cheated margins for example).
Your revamp is MUCH better than the original boring design that the original letterhead had. Great job!
Finally, your Princess Shoppe posters are a dream! I am VERY partial to the second design to be honest, THOUGH, I think it may serve you well to take out the shadow below each oval/circular shape. The third with the wands is simply charming -- the only change I might suggest here would be for the wording in the lower left-hand corner to be placed further from the image. Instead of all wands, maybe two wands and a star or two? Just food for thought.
Again, LOVELY job with these tasks!
prof h