Thursday, March 29, 2012

Everyday Design Inspiration

From product to package design and everywhere in-between, Apple without fail has designs that are not only aesthetically appealing but also effective. The most notable aspect among all of Apple’s designs is their simplicity. I really enjoy the beauty in simplicity, and Apple does an exceptional job of exemplifying this idea.
Color: This display’s design, like the majority of Apple’s designs, has a basic color scheme of black and white. The contrast of the black background and white iPad2 text with the Apple logo is an attention grabber.
Typography: The typography used is a san serif typeface (possibly Helvetica). I really like this font with the design because it adds to and reinforces the overall simplicity. Additionally it is easy to read, which will increase the likelihood of it being read.
Logo Design: Over the years, it has evolved to a simple graphic only logo and is recognized across the world.
Target Audience: People who enjoy new, user-friendly technology as well as professionals.
Call to action: Buy the iPad 2. 


Color: The color scheme used is: light brown, black, light blue, and white. There are also various color photos on the side of children receiving TOMS. The use of neutral colors (brown, black, white) allows for the logo to become the main focal point of the design.
Typography: I really like the different weights used for the font, drawing emphasis to the key parts of the copy.
Logo design: TOMS logo is a basic flag design. It’s simple but I feel like it contains a lot of imagery, like it’s a flag that connects us all through giving.
Target Audience: Really, their target audience probably encompasses a wide range. However, taking everything into consideration, their main target audience is probably individuals 13-30.
Call to action: With the photos on the side of the shoebox, making the experience/purchase more personal, and the reminder that every time you purchase a child in need receives shoes, the call to action is without a doubt for you to buy another pair of TOMS.








 Truvia is natural, zero calorie, sweetner. I really liked this design as a whole. The clean-feel of the design consistently reinforces the fact that Truvia natural through its use of color, typography, and logo.
Color: Mainly two shades of green. I really like the use of greens because I feel as though it is a good depiction for the product being natural.
Typography: The design uses a san serif typeface, adding to the clean-look of the design. The design’s clean-look is also a good portrayal for the product being natural.
Logo Design: Text logo with a variation in the shade of green used, which gives the text a leaf-like look to the text. This again reinforces that the product is natural.
Target Audience: Most likely women (who may or may not be health conscience) looking for a natural and/or low calorie sweetner.
Call to action: Buy Truvia

Monday, March 26, 2012

Magazine Ad & Billboard Project



For the magazine ad and billboard project, we were to come up with a concept and create a design for a full-page magazine ad and billboard. The magazine ad is to be full color and designed for a specific publication, thus the publication specifications for the chosen magazine must be obtained. The billboard is to coincide with the design of the magazine ad.

The concept for my designs is a movement that I made up called (RE)define. Essentially, the (RE)define movement challenges Christians to renew their perspective by gaining a deeper understanding of their belief and turning what they believe into what they do, not just what they say. I’m approaching this as though it really is an unknown movement that is just beginning to get its start. Therefore, the purpose of the magazine ad and billboard is to create awareness as well as encourage people to seek out more information and get involved. The target audiences are proclaiming Christians of all ages and those who hold leadership positions in churches.

Magazine Ad:
The publication I chose for the magazine ad is Christianity today because the readers of the magazine fit my target audience, as they are people who are or claim to be Christians. The call to action for the magazine ad is for the viewer to read the Microsoft Tag (with their smartphone app), which will take them to the (RE)define website, providing them with more information.

Project Specifications:
File format:PDF
Color mode: CMYK
Trim size: 8” x 10 ¾”
Non-bleed: 7" x 10"
Bleed: 8 ¼” x 11” (minimum 1/8” bleed required; prefer ¼” make sure PDF includes bleed
Live area: For all bleed ads, keep live area 3/8” from trim on all sides.

    Billboard:
    The call to action for the billboard is for the viewer to seek out more information on the (RE)define movement through social media and/or given website.

    Project Specifications:
    File format: Flattened JPG maximum
    Resolution: 72
    Canvas size: 1400 X 400 pixels 
    Color mode: RGB
       

    Magazine Ad Thumbnails
    Magazine Ad Roughs

    Billboard Thumbnails
    Billboard Roughs


    Magazine Ad - Final
    Billboard - Final

    Master Image List elements: 4 Color Raster (5 images); Vector Image

    Copyright statement: All mountain images in the magazine ad were downloaded from flickr.com creative commons. Microsoft Tag was generated by me from tag.microsoft.com. Images in the billboard file were downloaded from flickr.com creative commons. All othere elements in the magazine Ad and Billboard files were generated by me in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.