Final Blog post for the semester

This semester has been fast paced and hectic but very beneficial. The real life clients we have been faced with have pushed us to really think outside the box with the way we approach the individual business solutions for the companies. If I knew what I know now about advertising and everything else at the beginning of the semester I would advise myself to stop using grungy textures and really start to evaluate my own style and its depth. Another big thing I learned about the art of copy writing is not to be afraid to fail.  To just start with a blank piece of paper and fill it up front and back and not to worry if 99% of it is complete crap because all you need is that little bit. One big thing I learned about the craft of art direction is to really make sure all of your components are consistent and look like they all come from the same mind frame. Consistency is key to success and range is the key to a lot of success. That brings me to what I will be doing this summer to push myself and better my my chances of being employed when I leave her. I will be give my portfolio an honest look and to learn alot of new technology. That includes expanding my knowledge of garage band, flash, imovie and breaking out of photo shopping everything and becoming more hands on.  Senior year is exciting because I finally get to pick my group I want to work with. Also to be able to pick brands lend themselves to forcing me to develop a more flexable style. NSAC seems like it should be very interesting. I am not sure exactly what it is all about yet but I am anxious to know the client and to dive in head first.

Ecology of Water Ambient Idea

So for this weeks blog I would like to talk about a media arts project idea I had for my ecology of water class. In our assignment we have been assigned to create an innovative way to promote species that are sustainable to direct people away from fish that are endangered or close to endangerment. We were assigned spiny lobster in the United States versus the option of Maine lobsters which are highly sought after. We are attempting to catch people at a place where they are potentially about to make the biggest purchase of lobster in one place. At first we thought a 5 star restaurant would be best for our display but then realized people buy multiple lobster at the super market so we chose to go with Whole Foods parking lot.  Here we would like to construct two tanks. One would be bigger and other small. In the larger tank we would place a lot of spiny lobsters and in the smaller tank we would put a few Maine lobsters. This is to visually represent the amount of lobster available in comparison and to get people to take a serious look at how they are effecting the planet and its food supply. I guess my biggest question here for everyone else is do you think this is an effective solution and would you stop and take it all in and buy the spiny lobster instead of the Maine lobster.

Go big or go home

 

While thinking of ideas for our current project with Phoenix Ink I was once again cruzin' through the ambient sections of the leading advertising web pages. Lately I have been trying to use things that exist in the environment already and to take advantage of that. This ambient idea reminded me that ambient pieces just have to catch you off guard out in the public and get your attention. This stunt did just that and is pretty inexpensive to produce along with the fact that it isn't stuck in the environment and can be easily move from one place to another which increases its visabality. Right away this idea gets you because you instantly see the kid hanging and you wonder if it's a real kid. Of course it isn't but it captures your imagination non the less. It also plays on that old game we used to play in the back seat with our brothers and sister you know the one where an 8 hour car ride turns into biggest bubble challenge until it splatters on your face. I love this idea and how easy it can be produced and displayed. Bravo guys. Bravo.

The Zen of social media marketing

The first big thing I learned from this book was what exactly online social marketing is used for. The author makes a statement that online marketing doesn't build a company, it just highlights successes and story's related to the company. In other words social marketing shouldn't be the place where you try to immediately boost your sales but rather to share with others how you helped other people solve the problem your product is the solution for.
Another point made about tracking your success interested me a lot. It caught my attention because during my job shadow experience with Advice Inc the owner asked me my view on social media and how you can show your client proof of its effectiveness. I really didn't know how to answer this question at the time other than, well I guess you really can't. Well I was wrong you can. First you have to know what you are trying to achieve and then you can choose the appropriate way to track your success. For example if your tactic is to drive traffic to your web page then you measure your success by the number of new web page views you have rather than your increase in sales. Also to be effective you must understand where in the buying and converting process the person is in order to market to them in the correct way.
Another great point made was that about having a great website. In class we have been focusing on how we drive people to the brands web page and how we are communicating and we rarely consider the site itself because the company or brand usually has one to start with. When starting to market yourself as an advertiser or designer through a web page is critical.  Like the example they made in the book about social proofing and having everything about you appear professional and put together, the web page you have is the glue that the people on the internet are judging you on. This is very true because people look for congruency in everyone. If we are looking to date someone we watch to see if they way they act around us in consistent with their core values and who they really are. The same holds true with the relationship you build with your customers. They want you to look believable and then not let them down once they have committed to you and the web page is a major piece of that puzzle in today's technology based society.
The next big point I want to bring up is probably the most obvious about social media marketing. That is the point of communication. The book makes a good point about how you can't talk back to your Tv and have anybody hear you. Therefore you cannot us the same tactics to talk to people on the internet than you do in other traditional mediums. The whole point of the web is for interaction purposes and now I understand why integrating audience participation is so effective. It is effective because that is what makes the internet different. People use new things because of what new they can do for them and once again the internet is new because they can tell you their opinion about how they feel about you as a company. So use your online palace as a place to display good feedback from others because a consumer will trust another consumer way before they believe someone on the inside.
After all this complicated stuff I want to hit lastly on the most important thing of all for this over worked high paced society, simplicity. Whether it is how easy it is to navigate your web page or how quick someone can pay once your consumer has filled their online shopping cart, it all revolves around being simple. It isn't that as a people we are stupid and we can't figure things out on our own. The fact of the matter is that for everything you need there are 10 or more people or companies that can make it happen for you and make their living off doing so. Therefore which ever one of those companies or people make it quickest, easiest, and most enjoyable they are going to pick your brand every time. I guess the point to make here as I wrap up is that you really have to think about what you are doing and put yourself in the customers shoes.  The faster and simpler someone gets from point a to point b, then the faster you shall grow my friend.

Two ways of looking at things

 

Once again I bring you another well executed ambient idea.  On my search to solve this Quietus ambient challenge I have been skimming around looking for good ideas. I think this is a great idea because it does show the bifocal experience of being able to see up close and far away all at once. I also like it because it opens up the possibilities of using this same construct for many other ideas. The direction you view the piece can also be used to your advantage depending on the placement. I also like how they used the traditional signs that rotate images and paused it in the middle so you can't see both sitting in the same spot.  This layout seems like it could be a lot of fun if you want people to see one thing as they walk then when they look back they see something completely different which drives home the message. Overall a clever idea for the proposed problem the company was looking to solve. Good job guys.

Bad Writing Response

I believe the filmmaker of Bad writing was trying to communicate the art of writing.  He goes through many examples of how he believed he was the greatest poet on the earth at one point. I think he does this to show us all that at certain times in our life we can get in a flow of good writing and think we are on our way and then in an instant our writing can turn to crap and we might not even notice right away.  It shows us to take each piece of writing at a time and not to get ahead of ourselves and when we fail, to get back up and keep writing, no matter what. 
The most important things I learned from the film were simple things. The biggest thing I learned from the film is I am allowed to suck at writing. Also that just because you think you can write and actually write something good, doesn't mean it's actually true. The film shows how reading someones writing is like strolling through an art gallery. Everyone sees the same thing just everyone has their own view on it. I think there is bad writing and then there is writing that the individual doesn't relate to because it was not targeting them. Both can be misinterpreted as bad writing but there is a major difference and that is one thing we have to think about as advertisers as we target different demographics.
The concepts I learned that I can apply to writing for advertising is the quote he used, "Good writing is when the reader can find a little space to put themselves into and interact with the story". I love this because it reminds me that good advertising doesn't just tell you what to think. It leaves that little gap for you to jump across and feel like you were the one who got it, and didn't have to be told what to think like an idiot!

Bad Writing

Don't forget about Haiti

I chose to focus on this ambient idea because of the current things we are working on for class. It reminded me of the Japan relief posters we have been working on and how a simple visual and a simple headline can really gives you a sense of the devastation. Also it reminded me of how stats work very effective in the our attempts to incorporate them in our Phoenix Ink stuff. They didn't try to create a huge container full of trash, instead they used a space that people could really wrap their minds around then hit you with a stat the blows it out of proportion. It is also sad because due to the Japan devastation that people are forgetting about how destroyed Haiti is as well. Just makes me wonder if those things happened here in America who we would make ads to in the effort to get support.

Stop thinking. It's alot of fun.

Once again another spot on advertising execution that is simple and right to the point, with that little twist we all love.  What I also love is mimicking others that have come before but finding a way to twist it in your favor. This idea is obviously having some fun with the magazine the Economist. Basically just switching the logo and turning the idea upside down.

I also like it because of the nature of the two magazines is so opposite and the idea behind the installations are so different but at the same time at first glance you may mistake the two as the same.  Nicely done mad magazine. I would have taken a picture of myself in front of it and posted it online right away, starting the social media storm I'm sure you were hoping for.

Penis Pills anyone?

In China their advertising laws are much different than ours here in America. Over in China there are certain products that are not aloud to be advertised directly for whatever social or moral codes that they break. Therefore they must be very clever in the way they advertise some of their products. This ad is for a male sexual enhancement supplement. I believe that this product would be difficult to sell without the regulations. So in order to show the products use they simply put the package design on a key card that many people use in China to get into gated off parking lots. Upon swiping the card the viewer is instantly shown the advantage of the product at hand. They were able to skirt the letter of the law in an entertaining and memorable way. Good idea guys!

Pump some Iron

In the tradition of my love for ambient and outdoor advertising I chose another clever use of cheap material send a message with an entertaining impact.  Since as a class at Ringling we worked for Lifestyle Family Fitness, it is fun to see ideas that we all didn't think of.  This idea is simple and straight to the point which I believe is what all advertising is shooting for.  It is fun because the people who actually take this "flyer" will be pretty dedicated to cashing in on the coupons promise. It also engages the consumer on a level where by carrying it they realize the problem to which the solution is what they are holding. The amount of the offer actually might people have them bring the concrete in and the supply cost is next to nothing so it sounds like an overall win win to me. Good job Iron Kore.

FedEx has got you beat by a nose.

      Once again I was making my rounds through the ambient section of Ads of the world and ran across this little gem. The idea is strikingly simple and very effective. Being in the wrap industry I love coming across ideas like this because when trying to design new and exciting wraps for people and their companies, these concepts spark a lot of ideas. They are able to place their competitor in the ad without using their name by simply using the distinct colors the company uses. It is a lot of fun too because it does show the competitive nature of the industry and how the speed in which you get the package to the final destination is all the customer is looking for in your service. Nicely done FedEx and whomever thought of this idea originally!

David Guetta knows how to use YouTube

Click here for Video

So for my viral video blog post I wanted to share a video I saw about a month back.  Now most people who don't listen to a lot of electronic or dance type music might not recognize the name David Guetta right away, but I guarantee you have heard at least one of his songs. Another person you might recognize in the video is the over night Youtube video sensation Keenan, or also known as the little guy who dances and lip sings a ton of famous and popular songs that are out. In order to spread his name, Guetta used the combined success of Keenan and his own music to let people know who he is and who they have been hearing on the radio and at clubs. The little guy draws massive clicks on Youtube and even if you don't listen to Guetta's music you have a pretty good possibility of stumbling upon it and becoming a fan. I thought the idea to combine powers to further catapult both of their careers was genius because Youtube is where the demographic that Guetta is targeting spends most of their day cruising through entertaining videos. Very smart Mr. Guetta.

Super Bowl Detroit style

 

Chrysler has done it. Capturing peoples alcohol induced, distracted minds during snacks break in the middle the super bowl was no easy task. What better way to connect with true blue, football watching Americans than to add in some Detroit motor city pride. For starters the spot was expertly shot and creates massive amounts of emotion with the imagery they used. It takes you on a journey and again with the target market they were after, pulls you in as if they are talking to you personally. Then they twisted it and scooped up a whole new target market in the spot. Chrysler, to me, is a company for old people to buy cars they have been dedicated to their whole lives. The cars have no inherent allure to the younger generation and have been suffering because of it. The use of Eminem was very smart. It finally opens the company up to being "hip" and cool to drive and actually gives you a feeling of style. Nicely done Chrysler. It's about time you started to think in a new direction, cause like Detroit's economy, I didn't think you would be around much longer.

Feelin' lucky punk?

Well do you feel lucky punk? This is one of a series done for the lottery. Simplicity is beautiful and they hit it right on the nose. I love how it reminds us of our boring everyday routines and how we crave to break away, if only we had the extra cash to run off to a private island. This motivates me to invest in the lottery because the reward is well worth the investment, which is exactly what they want you to think so you will pump money into the competition. I'm not sure how much more I can describe this Ad because I think it's pretty self explanatory, which I think is what we all strive for as designers.

Blogging is the future, print has the history.

I thought this ad was funny because I was looking for something to write about in my blog. Print has a past present and future, hopefully. That is why I like this ad. It kind of poking at the fades of the internet and how they seem to come and go. Print was the basis of advertising and is still a huge part of what we do and seems to get the "shit end of the stick" when it comes to innovation because it seems it has all been done before. I disagree. I think people gloss over the print now because clients want to be in the social network rat race. Sure technology is fun and has a lot of possibilities to change the landscape of Advertising but like they say, don't forget your past or you are bound to make the same mistakes in the future.

Its music and I want it now!

Microsoft's new tagging system seems to be catching on everywhere. One place it has begun to pop up in is music. I think this is an awesome way to promote music. Usually when you hear a song you like on the TV or while your walking around downtown you try to remember the song until you can get to your house and look it up, but by then you have forgotten what you were looking for to begin with.  Using tagging is great because the consumer can check out the artist on the spot and then have a saved reminder for later when getting around to looking the song up on Itunes to download it. It is also a great idea for venues where small bands play on a regular basis. When walking by the place someone could scan the tag on the event poster and get streaming video of the bands to play and see exactly what they are all about. No more guessing and seeing crappy shows, you can know exactly what to expect before you ever buy your ticket. 

Gucci Gucci Gucci...Why?

This semester I would like to address a personal branding suicide to start off with. Since I have been hard at work lately to find an identity for myself as a designer and a personal brand, I decided to cruise the internet to see how others were doing the same thing. Jokingly I looked up Gucci Mane, the famous Atl rapper, to see what he had done to make himself so famous. But instead of finding examples of how he bettered his brand, I found a reason for why I think he made one of the worst branding decisions ever. In the picture above you can see he tattooed an ice cream cone on his face. Now he isn't the first rapper to get a tattoo on his face, but I can honestly say he takes the cake for worst idea ever. I don't understand how the tattoo artist agreed to go through with it to begin with, other than the press it was going to receive would put his shop on the map. Also the timing is perfect considering he was just released from a mental facility the day before the tattoo was branded on him forever. I can relate to Gucci in the fact he used a tattoo to brand himself, because I am doing the same, just not on the face man and if your going to get script tattooed, make sure it doesn't look like a 4 year old drew it for you. That is all.