ASSIGNMENT 1

1. Apple iPOD (Prind ad)

The silhouette of the figure is weighted toward the right side of the composition – asymmetry.  But with the figure’s right arm extending to the left (of the frame), the composition in my opinion is well balanced and is given dynamic and movement, and importantly with a direction for the eye – from the fingertips to the person and down the headphone cords to the iPod.  The iPod, the product in emphasis, although is positioned extremely to the right and real-life in size (which is relatively small within the composition), still works and effectively in focus because of the contrast in colors, the product stands out. The use of white space (background VS silhouette VS iPod) contributes to this success.

White space technique was heavily utilized in Apple’s iPod print advertisement; white space here is the pink. The space sets up the emphasis on the silhouettes of the person, which are cleverly defined to match the characters/personalities (without limiting to a specific and obvious persona) of iPod’s intended target market (note: there are different variations to the ad).  The ad further employs the white outline of the iPod + headphones which stands out effectively and puts emphasis on the unique branding characteristic of the product – simple yet powerfully meaningful.

The ad I believe also employs the principles of positive-negative space: silhouette – positive and background – negative.  The whole ad is given life and dimension just by utilizing the space: a person moving in a certain environment (and a colorful one) listening to an iPod.

2. Marc Jacobs - DOT (Magazine Print Ad)

The circular crop of the image presents a concentric structure, and further implies a connection to the brand - DOT. The overall composition and colors are kept minimal and balanced giving an eye-catching attention right in the center of the ad. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that sizing has a lot to do with this ad's effectiveness. The circular crop in the center is actually a "dot" blown up in scale making it initially unseen or unthought-of of by the viewer, but is later revealed then people get the connection.

3. Opening Ceremony/ DKNY (Online ad)

The mid positioning of the model and the text presents a seemingly formal structure to the ad. The way the model poses here, although not a symmetrical pose, the position of the arms here are sort of extending in a symmetrical and balanced manner. The whole composition is balanced and aligned. 

The subtle use of color contrasting between the ground - grey color and white text doesn't steal the attention away from the model and or the clothes on her. Yet still portrays the information needed to be told clearly and boldly in white.  "DKNY EXCLUSIVELY FOR OPENING CEREMONY"

4. Microsoft Surface (Billboard)

The composition, and the positioning of surface's billboard is very interesting. With all the components seemingly scattered and pushed beyond the frame, the theoretical intention to not include the entire form of the product remains unclear to me. However, the overall impression i got was that it looked pretty good and well composed - certainly did not give me a visual glitch.

In fact, I feel like it's got its own rhythm, and to my guess probably due to its unusual positioning. I'm not certain whether there's an invisible line structure guiding the components but it seems to me the eye is naturally directed from left to right and back to left - from surface to the product to "click in" down to the keypad and back to microsoft.

The choice of the red of the logo and the keypad also work effectively I think to tie up and tighten up the connection between the components within the frame.

5. HBO Beyonce (Billboard)

FIRST LOOK AT THIS AD AND WHAT COMES TO MIND IS IT LOOKS LIKE A BOOK COVER OR AN ALBUM COVER EVEN. WHICH I GUESS RELATES TO THE FACT THAT BEYONCE IS A SINGER AND NORMALLY YOU WOULD SEE HER ON ALBUM COVERS. SO THIS IS PROBABLY THE THEME OF THE WHOLE AD.

THE USE OF DIFFERENT SIZING OF THE TEXT PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE HERE ON THIS BILLBOARD. IT EMPHASIZES HER NAME, WHICH IS THE BIGGEST OUT OF ALL AND HAS THE MOST CONTRAST IN COLOR BEING WHITE AND THE GROUND BEING BLACK. THE COMPOSITION IS IN BALANCE. THE FIGURES ARE ALL SYMMETRICAL. A CERTAIN CALMNESS CAN BE FELT FROM THIS AD I THINK DUE TO THE SOFT SET OF COLORS AND THE SIMPLE FONTS USED.

THE VISUAL FREQUENCY OR RHYTHM OF THE TEXT IS ALSO IN THE CALMEST MANNER. THE QHOLE BILLBOARD HAS A VISUAL FLOW. NOTHING JUMPS OUT, NO SURPRISES OR ANYTHING UNEXPECTED.