Deadlines for next week!

Tuesday 9/28 - Bring in a full-scale mock-up of 1 of your final ads. You can choose whichever you prefer - either the 8x10, 3x10.5, or 5x5. We will address design, composition, and color in your comps.

Thursday 9/30 - Due for critique - 3 final print ads composed on 2 boards 12x18'', flush-mounted. See other blog post for composition requirements.

How do I choose the BEST concept for this print ad project?

So you've explored all sorts of great ideas for your brand and you have found great supporting imagery, photos, illustrations, and type. So how do you choose the best solution to move into refinement and execution?

1. Consider how well the collage art aspect of the design is? If you have a cool idea but the collage art aspect of the project is lacking, perhaps you should go with a different idea that has a stronger aesthetic look and feel. 
2. Consider the message you are communicating. Is it clear? Does the message convey to your target audience? Does it make sense for your brand?
3. Re-read the project brief in case you forgot any details required for the assignment. Read it for the first time if you haven't read it at all! Make sure you are implementing found imagery, an existing logo, and an existing tagline. 

Your concept should be successful if all these elements are addressed!  After you have chosen your concept, make sure your 3 ads have a general synergy across design elements?

Revised Board Illustration and Dimensions for Collage Project

Collage Project / Print Ad Series Resources

For this project you will create a series of three print ads based on a product, service, or organization.

Think about fashion, technology, household goods, furniture, etc. The final ads should relate to each other by concept and follow a cohesive design program that is evident when the ads are presented. Design principals being addressed in this project are use of space in various formats, typography, composition, and general synergy across design elements.

Take a look at ad campaigns across multiple genres, interests and demographics. See what it is that makes an ad successful or not so successful.

For each concept sketch you create. Be prepared to answer the following questions.
1. What is your message? Is it clear?
2. Who is your target and is your message right for the audience?
3. Is your message appropriate for the product?

Collage Ad Examples

Print Ads of America - leading industry print media

40 Brilliantly Photoshopped Print Ads

Print Magazine - Check out the inspirations section - "Image of the Day" There is some really cool stuff here. If you are a major print design guru.. you should bookmark this page!

Google search images: collage art, print ads, print media, advertisements, etc. for inspirations.

That should get you started! See you Thursday.

Personal Logo Project Boards

For questions regarding your logo layout and colors, refer to the previous examples of work students have done in the past. Some of the images have been cropped for size purposes, but you can see how the black logo sits above the color logo and pantone colors are listed below.

Hope this is helpful in constructing your boards!
B&W, Color Logos

Next Meeting's Agenda - 09.14. Personal Logo Critique

Hey folks,

For Tuesday's class, we will cover a few items.

1. I will return your process books with some notes on your work. We'll go over as a class some good examples of organization and content. Overall, the work is great and I enjoyed looking through everyone's books!

2. Final Critique - Personal Logo Project. We will pin up all boards and talk about the work as a group. I will collect the boards after the critique.

3. We will talk about our next project. I made some adjustments to the project document brief so if you have downloaded a copy previously, grab the new copy here.

Checklist for Logo Success

After our class on Thursday, I thought it wouldn't hurt to review a few things as a class that may make preparing for Tuesday pinup a bit easier. Remember, you must be ready to pinup (5) of your most successful logos for discussion at the beginning of class. The format is 8.5''x11'' white paper - each logo LARGE on one sheet! Also, if you want to get ahead, start scanning the logos you want to import into Illustrator! You will use your sketches to trace in Illustrator next week. Scanning takes up some time so the sooner you digitize your sketches, the sooner you'll be able to start your vector art on the computer :)

If you didn't finish your variations, please do so over the weekend as well. You should start compiling your work thus far in your process book and bring that to class also. You should have at least 50 thumbnails + your outside design research examples in your process book as well.

1. Make sure your logo hits the two aspects of the ven diagram we went over last week. 
1. Your logo/type should communicate something about who you are (sophisticated, mysterious, excitable, extravagance), NOT things that you like (ie. coffee, ice cream, etc.)
2. Your logo should show a strong understanding of how your letter forms relate with each other (alignment, negative space, uniformity, stability, etc.)
2. You logo must be built from your initials (either 2 or 3 letter forms). You can add your name as an additional element, but it should not be the primary focus. 
3. Thin lines and gradients can reproduce poorly, so keep that in mind
4. Think about balance bettwen black and white space in your logo
5. If you get stuck, take a break from your logo development, and do some more research!

Thanks guys! Can't wait to see your great work on Tuesday!