Newspaper Ad

Newspaper Ad

Job Specs:

Ad size- 7.71"x6" - .25" margin - No Bleed - Black and White

Formula:

4 colums wide = 7.71"

4x6" = 24

24 x $4 = $96

InDesign File Size - 7.71" x 6"



This assignment was to create a black and white newspaper ad based on the specifications for The Collegio.  We were given column widths to choose from and we were to determine the height of the ad based on our budget of $100.

Columns                    Inches

1                                1.83"

2                                3.79"

3                                5.75"

4                                7.71"

5                                9.67"

6                                11.63"

I wanted to create a large ad to attempt to grab the attention of the reader before any other ad and also stay within my budget, so I chose to do an ad 4 colums wide and 6" high.

My target audience for this ad would be to men, ages 18+, preparing to pop the question.

The call to action is to invite the reader to the store and offer them a 10% discount by mentioning their ad in the newspaper.

My hand drawn image (shown below) is a drawing of the top of a diamond. This image will be scanned in and converted to a bitmap and placed into my ad.

Thumbs

 Hand Drawn Image

Rough

Final



I really enjoyed this project. Having worked for a local phone book company, I found myself in my comfort zone creating this ad. It seemed to take no time at all to come up with a logo that fit the purpose of the piece and an image to complement it. Scanning the image and creating the bitmap to use in the file was time consuming, only because I wasn't doing it myself and I had to rely on others to get it.

I'm happy to be using my new Tag from Microsoft. This is a new style of barcode that is easier on the eyes than the basic black and white QR code. It allows you to not only ad color but change the image inside. I am really excited to implement the full color Tag in my next project.

My only concerns for the ad were wondering if I would lose the reversed words and Tag because of the substrate it would be printed on. I would definately request a proof on newsprint before submitting this ad in any newspaper.

Package Designs

My thoughts on Package Desings

Most companies do their advertising by media such as commercials or print ads, but when a customer is at the grocery store, how do these companies advertise? Packaging. Here are my thoughts on a few package designs and logos.

 Wheat Thins

I really enjoy this package design. The bright yellow caught my attention right away. My favorite part is the illustrations of the wheat and how it is breaking out of the cracker. It's fun to look at.

 Milk-Bone

If you have a dog, you would notice that Milk-Bone has not changed their packaging for a very long time. They still show the same bone shaped name tag on the back that they have for several years. I think that it's ok to change the package designs at least every few years. Most people are attracted to fun, exciting desings and in my opinion, this is not one of them.

 Gain

This is by far, one of my favorite designs. It is fun and whimsical. The design is obviously geared towards women and definately stands out amongst the other brands.  

 Behr

I was immediately attracted to this brand due to its full color photo. An image like this isn't typically seen on a can of paint. Most brands offer a simple 2 or 3 color design.

Celestial Seasonings

The design on this box of tea is cute and whimsical. It is obvious that the company takes pride in their product to display such an elaborate design on a package that only measures about 5 inches wide.

Great Value

I have never really understood Great Value's packaging re-design. The photos are very small and awquardly placed. I don't like looking at all of the white space. If they were only going to use one color photo, use more colorful photos and make them bigger.

Old vs. New - Starbucks Logo

Old vs. New - Starbucks Logo

On March 8, 2011, Starbucks launched the redesign their logo, the Siren. The redesign was to celebrate their 40^th year in business.

The new logo only features the “Siren” in green. The words “Starbucks Coffee” was removed from the logo. On the Starbucks.com website, they mention how proud they are of their logo and how important it was to keep it.

The Siren got its beginning in 1971 in Seattle, WA, where the company was founded. The designers wanted to implement a nautical theme because of Seattle’s seaport roots. They chose to change the logo to make the Siren the “face” of Starbucks.

Starbucks hosted a launch day to unveil the new logo. All supplies and merchandise were available that morning with no gradual transition. I thought it made the unveiling more exciting. It really seemed like a big birthday party.

Seeing the new logo was a bit of a culture shock for me. The previous logo was busy with the outer rings and the words “Starbucks Coffee” around it. As it seems a little plain now, I’m sure it will grow on me. Overall, the logo, now being one color, would be more cost effective when printing it on their merchandise and supplies.  



Sources:

http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=502

http://www.starbucks.com/preview?utm_campaign=sbux-40th-spring&utm_source=sbuxhome&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=Preview_main

Variable Data Direct Mailer

Direct Mail

7"x5" 4 color over 4 color, with .125" bleeds and .25" margins

This is my Variable Data Direct Mail assignment. This is a design project that we will be teaming up with a Variable Data class to produce the mailer. Our requirements were to create a design that can be changed slightly using the variables provided in our Excel database according to our target audience.

The purpose for this piece is to promote a motorcycle dealership to a specific target audience.

The target audience would be Males and Females, ages 35+, with an income of $40,000 or more.

The Call to Action is to invite the potential customer to the store to purchase a motorcycle.

Thumbnails

Rough - Front

Rough - Back

In my design, the shell included a full color image of a cruiser that would be geared towards older individuals who would more prefer to purchase a more comfortable bike, as opposed to a street bike that would be targeted towards a younger demographic. I wanted to have a humorous phrase on the front to help draw more attention to the mailer and the information it provides. Knowing that most direct mail is glanced at for a split second and then tossed in the trash, I wanted something that would be eye catching and draw the viewer in. My variable for the front of the mailer are the words,  LIPSTICK and EGO. The word LIPSTICK will be printed on the mailers that will be addressed to the females in my database, and the word EGO will print for the males in the database.

The "Cowasocki" logo was created to avoid copyright issues with the actual Kawasaki motorcycle company. I purchased a cow silhouette from istockphoto.com and drew socks on it's feet in Illustrator creating the "Cow-a-sock-i" logo.

On the back of the mailer, my variables were the full color images on the back. On the female version, the image on the back is a tube of lipstick that of course matches the bike to add to the humor of the phrase on the front. The male version includes a picture of a tough looking biker guy to compliment the "ego" phrase on the front. I chose a red background for the pictures and the text to help it stand out more. The red

When submitting this file to the Variable Data class, we will includ the packaged file in InDesign with the variables in parenthesis, all links that belong to each variable, the Excel file that has the names, addresses and the information that will be plugged into the design when printed, word document that gives specific directions about the file and how it should be printed, and a pdf of the mailer with information plugged into for use as a proof or hard copy.

I definately enjoyed this project. It helped remind me that with each different type of project we do, there will be some limitations affecting our design and that it is a good practice to learn what those limitations are before you start your design, so no extra time is wasted.

"Red Bike, Lipstick, Biker and Cow" images were purchased from istockphoto.com. I have permission to use these images.

"Cunningham Cowasocki" logo was created by Crista Cunningham

"Green Socks" created by Crista Cunningham

 Lipstick - Front

 Lipstick - Back

 Ego - Front

Ego - Back