Creative concepts

I really like the simplicity of this message. It visually represents the possiblities of a lego turning into a dinosaur, what every kid wants, right.

This one made me think; I will help you out, It's actually representing a loaded double barrell shotgun. And a simple message that smoking gives you the same risk of fatality.  I like simplicity and messages with images instead of lengthy words.

This ad gets your attention, and the unwanted "guest's"   attention as well. They actually have a campaign with various scenes of people stopping to watch the CNN news.

PBDS 502 Asymmetrical Balance and Symmetrical Balance

This ad is asymmetrical yet creates balance with the weight of the fish bowl and the color of the gold fish on one side and the tones of grey in the background balancing the lighter tones in the bowl. I think it has a "wow" factor. The text in the grey space also serves to balance the weight of the bowl and color of the fish.  

 

This ad is simple, balanced and asymmetrical. Imagine if the couch would have been exactly in the center with the plant also centered behind it. Yawn. The visual weight of the keys draw you into the near center but the plant on the right and more of the couch being on the left balances it. 

This may not be exactly symmetrical but its more symmetrical than many ads I have seen. Its very balanced with the four VW Beetles in the primary colors, creating more visual weight,  against the less colorful background. 

I appreciate the use of repetition and symmetry in the PBS logo, with the repeating face that represents a service for the public, a diverse and ever changing public. 

PBDS 501 Indesign

This class , along with 502, is my first exposure to Indesign. When learning any new software there is always a period of frustration, which I have entered.  To combat the frustration, and to enter into a productive, happier zone, I have downloaded a 30 day trial version of CS5, so that I can supplement my lab time at home. I am more than looking forward to learning this fabulous design tool!

AD with Four Principles: contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity.

I think this ad uses all design principles, it is not one of my  favorite ads, but it is following technique.

Contrast: The bright red heading is a sharp contrast to the blue tones in the image and draws in your attention, letting you know the organizational structure of where the heading is.

Repetition: The red circle is repeated

Alignment: The text is aligned, the text in the top heading is aligned with the text in the footer. The page is created with unity, nothing seems out of place, its organized and professional looking.

Proximity:
The related text is placed together; the heading includes the title text and the footer text contains text with a call out to turn the page. The circles are also placed near each other.

Logos using figure ground.

I discovered these logos by performing a google search using the terms: logo and figure ground.
The first logo was his previous attempt, the bottom logo is his "final" logo. 

I like the figure ground in this first logo  but I do not like the square top of the "J" it appears out of alignment and I keep seeing only the square; ignoring the "DJK" letters below. 

I prefer the logo above. The top of the "J"  is created using a colored circle, a perfect contrast to the more square shapes and black and white used elsewhere. The "J" centered gives you a focus point and draws you in.  The dot also adds a splash to a relatively conservative logo yet the logo can also work without the dot. In this logo, the letters are easily read without the top of the "J" pulling attention away from the DJK. It all seems to fit.

Printed Piece 2:Poor Design

This ad was found in the 2010 September issue of VOGUE.  I like that the key words have a larger font than the other words, yet it still has too many words that seem to all merge together; not one word delivering a message with impact.  Even the last words, and the most meaningful words for the marketing campaign, " feel beautiful" seem lost to me.  I like what the ad says but I do not like the visual display.

Printed Piece 1:Poor Design

This ad was discovered in the September, 2010 issue of VOGUE.
I especially chose this advertisement because it is a  contrast to my selection for Printed Piece 1 : Good Design, the Juicy Couture ad.
The typeface and font chosen for this ad, for the name "Lola Rose", is hard to read and lacks impact.  The typeface is almost annoying to me; creating an instance of blurred or double vision. It clearly displays the importance of choosing the right typeface, color, and font of text to create the desired perception for the audience.

Printed Piece 2:Good Design

This Advertisement was seen in the September, 2010 issue of VOGUE.  Although I prefer bright colors, the neutral colors appealed to me because of the textures of the brick and glass. I like the unique logo with the A and M both missing the left side.  It drew my attention in and I kept looking for the missing sides. The logo presents a good use of  stable figure/ground.

Printed Piece 1:Good Design

I found this Juicy Couture Advertisement  in the September 2010 VOGUE. To me, the brand name Juicy Couture conjures up images of femininity and high fashion.  In my opinion the ad  is simplicity at its finest with the chosen typeface saying it all. There is not a need for any more text to generate the desired meaning to the audience. The typeface and font they chose says it all. Stark white on a colorful background in a romantic Old English font. If Juicy Couture would have been created in any other font, I think it would have less visual impact.