New Age of Advertising

Advertisers have always been creative. You have to be creative to stay on top. The new way of advertising has changed the way people are introduced to and informed about a product or service. With new technologies and attitudes about marketing/advertising, there has been a need to create campaigns that target the consumer in a new way. Sure tv, magazine, newspaper, and radio ads still work, but these different media are now so segmented. That could be a great thing if you are targeting a very specific consumer.

I love that advertising is starting to target people where they are. Sure, the ad on the back of a bathroom stall may be a bit annoying, but if the message is in tune with the space in which it is presented it can be a beautiful thing. One of my favorite books (Advertising is Dead, Long Live Advertising by Tom Himpe) has many examples of great media choices making an impact on the way the main message is interpreted. This need to be creative to reach a market I hope can only improve communication between company and consumer.

Helvetica (The Movie)

Originally posted on: Tuesday, June 10, 08

I just finished watching the movie Helvetica. It was really interesting to hear the opinions of so many different designers and their take on Helvetica. It is a typeface that has been around for a relatively short period of time and yet has helped shape design. I agree that it is very useful and can be used for many designs because it is very neutral. Although, I don’t know that I would go as far as using it and no other typeface. I think when choosing a typeface you have to keep in mind the purpose of the design and the intended audience. Each project is different and that is what is so great and challenging about design. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times you design a poster, for instance. Every time you design a new poster there are new challenges to be met, and new way of thinking about what will work and what will not. I do enjoy using Helvetica, but I try not to assume it is the best for the project just because it is a good typeface.

With all this aside, I think the journey the movie takes you on is inspiring and comforting. Everyone has his or her own ideas and you never really know where an idea will take you.

I also really enjoyed seeing Helvetica used in many different cities around the world and in many different languages. It was a nice to see this sprinkled between and during interviews. In a way it is like a strange connection designers have whether you love or hate Helvetica.

Great movie in so many ways. It is really refreshing to see a movie made with some style and wit about a subject that could have easily been boring if put into the wrong hands. Helvetica is not boring and neither was the movie.

Speed Racer

Originally posted on: Tuesday, June 3, 08 by Stacy.

Normally, I don’t think I will be commenting on movies, but I just saw one that used design to reflect mood and stir the plot onward. Speed Racer the movie may be an interesting example of what can be achieved by using design in a motion medium. The color combinations and movement of the patterns helped create urgency to the story that may not have been there if left up to the duologue and actions of the actors. The movie is much like the cartoon in many aspects and this creates the need for a visual cue. Much of the movie has “talking heads” that allude to the plot, but during these times there isn’t any action. In these parts of the movie the actors try to convey the urgency of the moment with only facial expressions and voice work. This lack of movement contrasted with the designed patterns and colors create an interesting feeling of urgency and excitement. It was such a creative way to tell the story.