Project 04: Advertisements

ADS DUE 04.12.10 (Monday): 10% of your grade

So for the next project, you only have a little over a week to get these ads figured out. As I mentioned earlier in the semester, from extending previous deadlines, we knew one project would end up being shorter. This one is it, since you do not have to submit comps - only boards. So - you really need to be thinking starting now about what you are doing for your ads conceptually.

As you start the ad project, start off by looking at ads and picking out ones that you like. Post those on your blog, and talk about what it is that you like about each of them. Have a few posted on Monday, and we'll possibly look at them together, depending on our timing. Jim is also going to do a presentation on advertising, so I expect you to listen and take in what he has to say on the subject.

You can look up good advertising online, but also, Communication Arts has their Advertising Annual out, which is also a good place to see strong ads, both in design and concept. The issue is from December 2009, but they usually keep it out for a few months on the shelves.

Once you go through at look at some ads and post them to your blog, start sketching and concepting for your ads. I know we don't have tons of time for these, but I still want the concepts to be strong: try to stay away from using just pure design to sell your company. Both concept and design should be really strong. Your concept can definitely be visually based, but make it clever.

For the next project, you will be creating two ads in a campaign for your chosen company/organization. They need to be different from each other, but they still must maintain cohesiveness between the two through concept and visuals. You will be creating two full page ads (I changed my mind about the three different sizes).

Dimensions (taken from Readymade magazine's full page ad specs): Width: 8 3/8" x Height: 10 7/8"

At the end of the semester, when you do your major presentation, you'll present each ad on its own board.

Here is one article I found right off about designing for advertising:
How to Create an Effective Print Advertisement - Tips for Graphic Designers

Also, here is a good advertising book to check out:
Creative Advertising, New Edition

Anyway, look at ads, post them, get inspired, and start sketching out your ideas! Also, just as a major reminder, your blog is 15% of your grade, so if you aren't keeping up with it, you need to get on it. It counts more than some of your projects, so really take it seriously.


***REMEMBER OF DEADLINE: your personal book project is due on 04.14.2010 (see U-Learn for project brief). Do not wait until the last minute to do this. It should be nice, so when it is published in the compilation, it can stand on its own as a strong design.

See you Monday!