Sarah W. Graham
image from mediarecruiting.com
In this assignment, each student had to choose one color, and find five different advertisments from different news mediums that contained such color in their add.
Student then analyzed the advertisments based on image criteria and vocabulary we had read about in our textbooks. Below are my five images and analyses of advertisments that contain the color yellow.
1) Success (food product)
Color: The colors displayed in this advertisement were a good choice, despite being near each other on the color wheel. Although orange, yellow and red are all similar, the accent colors really show despite this. The accents of the success symbol in the left hand corner as well as the red peppers and green cilantro really make this advertisement pop and grab your attention towards the center of the page.
Texture: As the viewer, I can feel the texture of the food in front of me through my sight. When eating a meal such as this one, this is how it is displayed/remembered in my memory. Everything from the rice, to the peppers, and the salmon I feel as though I know the texture of the objects.
Proximity: This is a relatively small advertisement. Their main focus was the food, so that is what they chose to be the center attention grabber. The ad ideally revolves around one single plate (even the background lines draw attention to it) and everything is close together spatially. The success logo is tucked into the left hand corner almost touching the plate. The logo is noticeable, but not overwhelming or center stage. This ad seems compact and thoroughly planned.
2) Five Gum
Alignment: The text for Five gum is horizontal layered perfectly on top of one another. The texts, as well as the product itself, also match up with the left hand margin, making the image pleasing to the eye. There is space in between the image that creates a direct line from the image to the text. Additionally, the lines look clean and straight deriving from the Five gum package.
Color: Advertisers used the colors of fire to represent the gum’s name, and the feeling you supposed experience when eating five gum. The colors are visually appealing to the eye grabbing my attention with the red (and for the fire aspect) as well as the design choice. The red mixed with the amber of lighter colors stands off the black well, and the viewer is able to see the contrast.
Typeface: The typeface used in this advertisement is more for it’s visual appearance than it’s clarity. Difficult to really read, the thin red outlining helps, however half of the words are also on a red-ish background. The text is a blockish form with soft/curved edges with a slight slant. The typeface is different and represents this “cool” attitude” without taking the viewer’s attention away from the product.
3) Cannon (cameras)
Texture: Although many people do not have the experience touching a cheetah, the viewer is still able to imagine the texture of the cheetah's fur, as well as the tall rough grass. Imagine walking through a field and the tall rough grass scratching against ones legs and the soothing softness of the animal’s fur
Repetition: The repetition in this add may not be 100% clear, but there is a repetition of tall grass as well as the repetition of the camera attachments/posers holding up the cheetah itself. The repetition of the grass is soothing to the eye as it does not distract the viewer from the main focus.
Typeface: In this image, the typeface (or lack thereof) is not very apparent in this image. Their usage of advertisement was using the image itself to sell the product, versus the text or the noticeable typeface/name of the brand. However, the text is aligned on the right corners of the page, yet they are different forms of typeface.
4) Ford (automobiles)
Positive/negative space: Within the advertisement, there is negative space in the image of the automobile windows and other spaces within the car. The purpose of the ad is to represent the car, but the main focus is on the cartoon Kardashian girls handcuffed in the back. The additional negative space is somewhat distracting due to the additional detail of the car, even though they are the negative spaces.
Lines: The lines in this add are mostly very soft and curved. The artistic style is focused on the subject of the girls and the natural shape of cars. The curved lines help soften the image and make it seem almost warmer and friendly. The curved lines are visually appealing and draw attention to the figures in the back.
Proximity: The images in this ad are condensed and feel very full. Ideally, cars are, so perhaps it was purposely, however though the figures, the ad looks packed and crowded. Spatially, and for the purposed of designing the car, there is a lot going on in one image and there seems to feel like layers of images.
5) Dallas Farmer's Market
Repetition: The repetition within this ad is within it’s content. The carrots, peppers and string beans are in abundance and representing the idea of abundance and usual lack of variety.
Contrast: The contrast of colors have a very strong influence and capture the viewers attention. The red pops off the yellow very nicely and portrays the similar color scheme as McDonalds (as intented in the subliminal messaging).
Shapes: The goal of this advertisement is for the customers to realize what they are eating, or someso, the lack thereof. The famous colors of McDonald's are clearly used to send a message. The shape of the red holder, most commonly known as McDonald's french fry holder, is automatically recognized by any vierwer. Similarly, the shape of the stringbeans, are very similar to those of frenchfries. The shapes play a big role in this ad. The difference between all the veggies is the take away for the customer. Variety, diversity and vegetables are always good in the foods one consumes.
