Assignment #8 -- Collage/Montage of an Issue

"The Glass Ceiling"

Sources: http://www.bpw-nc.org/Resources/Pictures/womensilhouette.png

http://www.kineticww.com/en-gb/home/our-current-thinking/moving-minds/2009/04/03/Focus_Group_AB_Businessmen.aspx

http://www.krystalonline.com/sites/default/files/glass-ceiling.jpg

Assignment #7 -- Advertisements

1. Instrumental

This Magnetic Ironing Blanket is an example of instrumental advertising because it fulfills the goal to high a problem or need and allows for a wish to be carried out. Moreover, it conveys both the messages of problem solving and innovation because it solves the problem of a bulky ironing board that you have to take out and put away, and it original never before seen or used. This product is instrumental in completing the duties of laundry and the ad further portrays its usefulness by showing how it is used and how it will enhance one's life.

Source: http://i04.hsncdn.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/prodfull/improvements-magnetic-ironing-blanket-d-2014022412021353~7365722w.jpg

2. Relational

The Disney Credit Card proves that this particular product provides a positive and heightened experience as well as getting the consumer to dream about something because of the words "Make Disney dreams come true on vacation... and every day." Because Disney is known for making dreams come true and enhancing happiness, they are selling the idea that if yo use this credit card, every purchase and every day that you use it will be in accordance with the Disney dream and happiness felt.

Source: https://secure-disneyland.disney.go.com/disney-visa-card/media/1.27.0.0019/img/nonGlobal/dlr/save-40/DVIC_DLR_Incentive_static.gif

3. Testifying

This Kim Kardashian Skechers Shape-ups Endorsement is an example of a testifying advertisement because the sender uses a testifying person to support the receiver through the agony of choice regarding goods or services. Ultimately, the inferred message could be "Use Skechers shape-up's and have a great, fit looking body like Kim Kardashian!" Moreover, because Kim Kardashian is such an icon for body type, her endorsement of Skecher's Shape Up's gives consumers the idea that they can achieve the same results by using the shoes.

Source: http://www.shefinds.com/files/2011/11/skechers.jpg

4. Comparative

This advertisement demonstrates comparative advertising because two products, one of Bounty (right) and one of a competitor/off-brand (left) are being compared and clear differences are shown. The  Bounty paper towels (right) seem to be absorbing more liquid because more liquid is shown in the paper towel; whereas the opposite is found with the the off-brand (left). It is common knowledge that the off-brand is generally less expensive, but I believe that Bounty is inferring that, "you get what you pay for" and Bounty does the better job in terms of absorption. 

Source: http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/iluvadoption/media/BountyPaperTowelsImage5.jpg.html

Assignment #6 -- Appropriation

Appropriation #1

Title: Michelangelo's McDavid

Source: http://www.econ.ohio-state.edu/jhm/arch/david/David_von_Michelangelo.jpg

Appropriation #2 

 Title: FREEDA Waxing Advertisement for a Brow Salon
Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1e/Frida_Kahlo_(self_portrait).jpg

Assignment #5 -- Social Campaigns

Social Campaign #1

This campaign transfers knowledge by reinforcing the idea that all women are different -- especially when it comes to their body types and obviously their ethnicities. It helps in shaping an attitude because currently, society expects women to look like the bottom group of girls -- the Victoria's Secret models. However, in reality, most women and their body types resemble that of the Dove women. The campaigns displays a drastic comparison and sheds light on what the majority of women look like rather than the minority of super model body types. The campaign's goal seems to be to get society to change their mindset, behavior, and norms of stereotyping women and possessing unrealistic expectations regarding their bodies.

Source: http://lunalunamag.com/2013/10/21/how-we-talk-about-weight/

Social Campaign #2

This campaign transfers knowledge by shedding light on the societal misconception that drunk driving and buzzed driving are different, when they really are not. It helps in shaping an attitude by showing two identical images of the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol but with two different captions that represent the same idea. This campaign aims to change behavior in the way of preventing people from drinking and driving altogether. In this ad, the an advertising strategy seems to be scare tactics because if drivers don't change their behavior and practice of drinking or driving, this could be them -- injured in the hospital.

Source: http://www.mullen.com/the-ad-council-cracks-down-on-buzzed-driving/

Social Campaign #3

This campaign transfers knowledge by informing the public of the presence of rape culture and taking a stand against it. Rape culture is where rape and sexual violence is an accepted and expected norm. This ad shapes an attitude by showing people that just because a girl is intoxicated and could be "way easy to hook up with", that doesn't mean that she consents to sexual activities of any sort. This ad can change behavior because it gives the example of this young man saying, "A girl that wasted is way easy to hook up with... so I made sure her friend got her out of there. She was in no shape to be going home with some guy." and taking a stand against women being sexual taken advantage of. The ad ultimately displays that even though two different outcomes can exist from a girl being intoxicated, there is only one right outcome -- and that is protecting the girl and removing her from a potentially dangerous situation rather than taking advantage.

Source: http://yoganonymous.com/photos-new-anti-rape-campaign-shames-the-perpetrator-not-the-victim/

Assignment #4 -- Visual/Verbal Integration

1. Effective Visual/Verbal Integration

This Axe advertisement is a good example of effective visual/verbal integration because it simply and clearly displays the brand, but also adds the persuasive idea that, "if you use this body wash, you will be found more sexy". However, the message and image that resembles an "s" is subtle, so that it is not too obvious or noticeable by children or those who the ad is not trying the target. Personally, I think it is a creative and unique play on words and display.

Source: http://vigilantcitizen.com/vigilantreport/mind-control-theories-and-techniques-used-by-mass-media/

The use of graphics and text in the advertisement are phenomeal. Is it eye-catching yet clear and organized. The information has a great flow to it and the contrast of the colors and the text itself creates good balance and harmony. I appreciated all of the elements that were contained in just one image because it caught my attention, and more importantly, kept my attention due to the lengthy vertical nature of the image.

Source: http://visual.ly/smoking-electronic-cigarettes-who-wins

This advertisement for DentaStix is incredibly effective in the way that it is clear and concise using the short phrase, "Against bad breath". The image is well-organized and easy for the viewer to understand. Moreover, I think this image is appealing to the eye because of the different colors used and the layers within.

Source: http://www.desiznworld.com/2013/08/humorous-print-ads.html

2. Ineffective Visual/Verbal Integration

After viewing this image and reflecting on what I know about the athletic brand, Nike, this ad was extremely ineffective. Ultimately, the image displays a young boy urinating on the wall and I thought to myself "What does Nike's slogan 'Just Do It' and their market of athletic apparel and equipment have to do with this?" The two elements, the image and the text, have nothing to do with each other, making the viewer confused and the ad ineffective.

Source: http://gbenard.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/the-conspiracy-of-the-brain/just-do-it/

This second example of visual/verbal integration was also extremely ineffective mainly due to the irrelevance of the different ideas presented and the fear tactics involved. The image is that of a man with a gun to his head and alcohol in the background, text that reads "Kids shouldn't watch too much TV", and the LEGO logo. Mentally, you can put together the message that LEGO was trying to get across, but visually, it is a great failure. Essentially, considering children are those who play with the toy, LEGO's, this image is way too vulgar and graphic for them. 

Source: http://speckyboy.com/2009/03/16/39-creative-lego-advertisements-creativty-without-bricks/

This third example of visual/verbal integration is ineffective because it confuses the reader as to what to focus on and what message the image is presenting and how it correlates to the text. Having viewed this ad, I decided that the relevance is nonexistence. This image of the two young gymnast girls who appear rather exposed advertising ice cream with the words, "Lickable" gives the viewer a sense of distaste, and is essentially ineffective because the message remains unknown.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-krassner/the-ice-cream-for-pedophi_b_19715.html

Assignment #3 -- Design Principles

1. Balance

Visual balance is the state of objects in a composition having equilibrium. This particular example contains symmetrical balance and more specifically vertical balance because the image is balanced the same above and below. This balance is achieved through the means of reflection, as the fireworks are reflected off of the water below.
Source: http://stylefrizz.com/201212/happy-new-year-2013/

2. Contrast

Contrast occurs when two related elements are different. In this example, contrast is created through the use of color. The three main colors in this image are hot pink, green, and yellow. By having the apple in a bright green color and the text in a yellow color on the hot pink background, major contrast results. 

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bang/handson/posters.shtml

3. Emphasis

Emphasis involves the most important element on the page based on the visual message, also know as "focal point". Moreover, emphasis relates to the first thing the eye sees on a design. In this example. it is obvious that the first thing the eye sees is the words "yes" because first, the text is large, and second, the text is in a contrasting color -- purple. The date in this wedding announcement also has emphasis placed on it because of the bold text and purple color again.
Source: http://indulgy.com/post/f47Hm1skR1/save-the-date

4. Rhythm

Rhythm involves the idea of how different elements combine to produce the appearance of movement. This is an example of the outside of the Florence Cathedral. This structure creates rhythm through the repetition of pattern, shapes, and textures. These elements give the eye an appearance of motion, especially with the contrasting shapes such as circles, squares, diamonds. Ultimately, these elements create an organizational flow in which the eye moves from point to point.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral

5. Unity

Unity presents a sense of wholeness which results from the successful combination of different elements. In this example, the different shapes of the dishes and the organization of the image in regards to the balance contribute to the unity and sense of completeness and oneness. Moreover, the color and repetitive nature of the items pictured contribute to the feeling of unity.
Source: http://www.shillingtondesignblog.com/loveTheseGuys/56/v/grid/category_id/love_these_guys/ViewPosts_page/5

Assignment #2 -- Color

1. Monochromatic

A monochromatic image is composed of one hue with any number of its corresponding tints and shades. In this example, purple/violet is the one hue being used throughout the image. However, to completely identify this image as monochromatic, it also contains different tints and shades of the purple hue. The horizon/sky in the photo has a purple tint, whereas the ground is a darker shade, with the silhouette of the camel and man being the absolute darkest shade of purple that exists in the painting.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Kf9g7dMUMv3dAR8eYKLelwfyPozEO-VOJVNDhA3lQ0OEj5httS6TEUPnG5t7YWQPoBYSUA434OtWejppFdGwTeCOSWZO0PkEwqVEfHMs73DcNtaQ2eeTHPzwNtsaJQhjCeV4kVN_t6s/s1600/IMG_1753.jpg

2. Warm/Cold Contrast

Warm-cool color contrast in interesting because cool contrast depends upon the context of the surrounding colors. So in this example, I personally perceived the yellow background to be the cool color, as it was the brightest portion of the image and the aqua/purple/black colors to be that warm colors, probably because of the presence of the black. Ultimately through this warm-cool color contrast, the subject of the image is easily detected.

Source: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/33/e1/84/33e1848e94ebf2c4ad16571098e514f8.jpg

3. Cultural Meaning of a Color

In South American culture, green represents death, especially that of the green dense jungles; whereas in Western culture, and countries such as the United States and Ireland, green represents good luck and is a religious color. The dramatic difference between these two meanings in regards to the same color are on opposite sides of the spectrum, which is interesting. However, that further explains the differences in culture across the globe.

Source: http://www.larando.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/deforestation-foret.jpg

Source: http://blogbydonna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/4-leaf-clover.jpg

Assignment #1 -- Gestalt Principles

1. Similarity

Similarity involves the idea of objects looking similar to one another and the ultimate perception of the objects' placement as a group or pattern. In this example, the white rubber tips of these Converse sneakers create the appearance of a circle when placed close together. Similarity leaves the viewer has the potential to eliminate unpredictability through the establishment of pattern and likeness.

Source: http://fancy.com/things/281621049/Converse-Chuck-Taylor-All-Stars

2. Continuation

Continuation is defined as the compelling of the human eye to move through one object and continue to another object. In this example, one's eye moves from the liquid in the Coke bottle to the leafy-green vines that continue out of the top of the bottle. The liquid is viewed as one object and the resulting raspberry vines has the other object.

Source: http://smashingspy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Raspberry-Coca-Cola_thumb.jpg

3. Closure

Closure is when a figure is completed due to items being grouped together. In this example, though the letters in the words are missing so-called "required" lines to complete the figure, the mind can still distinguish the letters as they are, and learn that the poster reads, "THE FUTURE IS UN-WRITTEN". I enjoyed this example because it was simple, yet stimulating.

Source: http://blkaesthetic.blogspot.com/

4. Proximity

Proximity is when elements are placed close together and tend to be perceived as a group. In this example, proximity is used as the wedges of cheese are fit so closely to on another that they form a group. It is easily distinguishable that the five wedges toward the top of the advertisement form one group while the bottom five wedges form another group. Moreover, closure is also identifiable in this image because the wedges being grouped resemble that of a set of teeth. 

Source: http://journalism273.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/gestalt.jpg

5. Figure/Ground Relationships

Figure-ground is when the eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. In this example, this "key ring" would be identified as the figure, where the blade of the keys reveal silhouettes of female facial profiles. The ground would be the dark blue background that gives way to the revealing of the figure/figures present.
Source: http://patrickgeorge.biz/news