Del Ryan - Reflections

2007-05-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

Honda of Santa Monica, CA is attempting to change the viewers perspective on how their CRV is understood. This photo was designed and photographed by Rainer Stratman. It appeared in Luzier's Int'l Archive - p. 21, Vol. 2, 2006.

Care to Visit the ZOO???

2007-05-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm a sucker for slick advertisement. This billboard was done by Sprecher Bertalot and Co. for the Milwaukee County Zoo. It appeared in the 2006 edition of Lurzer's Int'l Archive - Volume 2. Do you notice anything missing?

Reflections Have Appeal TOO!

2007-04-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

This design appeared in the '05 edition of Graphis Design Annual, p. 78. It is a 2003 ad for Harley Davidson, photo by Carmichael Lynch. I very much liked the way the picture captured the excitement of movement on a motorcycle and the scenic beauty of the mountain range background.

A New World at your Fingertips

2007-04-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

Published by Shaughai with photography by Xin Yu, this photo appeared in The World Travel Magazine to advertise the discovery of a whole new world through travel. I found this picture in the Lurzier's Int'l Archive, Vol. 4 - 2006. It illustrates and excellent example of the way scale and proportion is used as a marketing device in formulating a strong visual message.

Nokia Cell Phones - Features Galore

2007-03-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Campaign for Nokia Mobile Phones - "So Many Features, You'll Think it Does Everything!" - This photo demonstrates even more very effective use of lighting to highlight important areas of this shot. (from Lurzer's Int'l Archive p.10 - Generator, Auckland, New Zealand - photo Peter Bannon)

Portrait Using Effective Lighting

2007-03-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is highlighted in the Dec-Jan 2004-05 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine ( p. 78 - photography-Michael Grecco). This artist of this portrait uses a unique scheme of lighting to, in my opinion, accentuate the models strength and confidence.

More on Collages

2007-03-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

This post came from Lurzier's Int'l Archive, Vol.4-2006, p.33. It represents part of an ad campaign for Folgers brand coffee - Saatchi and Saatchi, NY - Dylan Nelson. I like the way the artist blended the image to create a montage of very interesting things to view.

Light Up Your LIfe.... "NOT!!!"

2007-03-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

This photo appears in the Graphics Design Annual 2005 - page 197. It is part of a "Say No to Smoking" campaign entitled "Smoking Kills, Not Just the Offender, but also Innocent People Nearby, Say NO to Smoking." (Michael Miller and Eric Chan/Hong Kong Heritage Museum)

Do You Like My New Contacts?

2007-03-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

The photo came from Lurzer's International Archive Vol. 2-2006 (page 8). It was a featured photo from a campaign for Krass brand colored contact lenses, Scholz and Friends, Berlin - photo and alterations made by Stephan Deisenhofer. I know it's a little surreal and creepy, but I imagine it did catch your attention. Didn't it???

Example of Collage - 1989

2007-02-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

This photo came from John Hedgecoe's book, The Art of Color Photography-1989 (p. 109). It is a color montage combining six separate images. Can you see them all?

Dessert Anyone?

2007-02-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

This image appearing in Workbook 24 (Midwest Photography West, p.616) is done by Philip Nealey Photography and Digital Imaging. The photographer utilizes bright lighting and significant blurring to focus the viewers attention on the inanimate objects. The "WOW" factor is gained by meshing two objects one would not normally picture together.

Photo Out of this World

2007-02-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed this photo because of the way the artist incorporated surrealism and the festive atmosphere of a party to capture a very unique occasion. The photographer/designer of this piece is Nick Vedros and his work appears on p. 703 of Workbook 27 - Midwest Photography West

Surrealism at its Finest

2007-02-04T19:04:00.000-08:00

Located on page 1014 of Workbook 27, this image uses Salvadore Dali's surrealistic setting to create a compelling piece of photography. (credit - Bonnie Holland - Velvetartist.com).

Color Purple

2007-02-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

The digital image is credited to Peer Brecht, represented by Linda Thompson. This picture appears in Workbook 27 (Midwest Photography West). I liked this photo because of the way it illustrated the unique color of the car with the proximity of the painted fingernails.

Can You Find the Plane?

2007-02-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

The BETC Euro RSCG ad agency developed this concept for Air France. The ad is a Nadav Kander/ Joel Sternfeld photo designed by art directors: Agnes Cavard, Romain Guillon, and Aurelie Scaabu. The image appeared in Communication Arts - August 2005.

See Anything Unusual?

2007-01-23T06:02:00.000-08:00

This digital image came from Communication Arts magazine (Dec. 2005, p. 47) - Simoini Eiteljorge, art director, Kathrin Butterhof, graphic artist and photography by Getty Images. This add was done by the Springer and Jacoby ad agency for www.rent-a-costume.com.

Shark bait anyone?

2007-01-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

This photo came from Communication Arts magazine (Aug. - 2005, p.29) , photographer-Vincent Dixon and art director-Carole Chadadus, by the Leo Burnett Paris ad agency. The client was Tampax.

Johnny Cash - The Legend

2006-11-13T03:35:00.000-08:00

This is a cd cover that appeared in the April 2006 edition of How magazine. This is an asymmetrical piece, united by color/shade with a significant contrast in size of text and the silouette of Johnny Cash. Designer Ian Culter uses a small amount shadow to create depth.

Body and Mind Magazine Cover

2006-11-13T03:33:00.000-08:00

This magazine cover appeared on the Nov.-Dec-2005 edition of Body and Mind. The designer/illustrator, Patrick Sedlan, unites his art with proximity, gains emphasis through contrasting colors and unique placement of the parts of the head. Asymmetric balance is obtained with the topography on one side and the image on the other. The design principles of rhythm and depth are not utilized in this piece.

Little Tom Thumb - French Style

2006-11-13T03:31:00.000-08:00

This book cover was designed by John Hendrix for The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat. It tells the story of a young boy who leads his 3 sets of twin brothers to the ocean after escaping several abusive foster homes. Hendrix developed an asymmetrically balanced by position. He unites his piece with a repetition of gray and black colors/shades and gains emphasis with isolation and contrasting colors.

Book Cover for La Campana

2006-11-13T03:27:00.000-08:00

The book cover designed by Dennis Clouse for La Campana by Iris Murdock is a symmetrical design, united by proximity and color, with emphasis gained by various shapes accented with lighter color schemes.

Advertisement from Country Living Magazine(Nov. '06)

2006-10-31T05:44:00.000-08:00

This magazine advertisement contains a symmetrical design pattern which is united by proximity of objects. Emphasis is given to this illustration using a contrast in color. Depth is achieved by using shadow.

Peace

2006-10-31T05:43:00.000-08:00

This picture came from Creative Jolt Inspirations by Gonella, Anderson and Landa. I liked this illustration because of the design principles of unity by continuation, symmetrical balance, legato rhythm and depth achieved by overlap.

DKNY Catalog

2006-10-31T05:41:00.000-08:00

This illustration "dkny catalog" by Trey Lalid in my opinion demonstrates asymmetrical balance, unity by proximity, contrast with the usage of color/shapes of the objects and significant depth w/ various layers of color overlapping the image.

David Carson Book Cover

2006-10-31T05:40:00.000-08:00

Carson designed this book cover for his 4th book, Trek (2000). This illustration's chaotic design is good representation of his work. This artist uses the symmetrically balanced text (the word "trek") with an asymmetrical arrangement of colors and shapes. The piece is united by proximity and repetition with a significant amount of overlapping used to provide depth to the layout.

1962 Thriller by Innes

2006-10-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hammond Innes' Atlantic Fury had this book cover designed by Michael Harvey in 1962. The illustration is an asymmetrical arrangement united by color which uses a contrast in the shape of the two text objects to create a sense of excitement and/or cold.

Too Much Water

2006-10-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Bruce Hamilton's Too Much of Water, 1958 was a series of novels he developed about crime themes. The illustration provided is a book jacket designed by "HW" specifically for this title. This asymmetric designed book cover uses emphasis by isolation, shape and direction and is unifed by proximity. This information was obtained from Front Cover - Great Book Jacket and Cover Design by Alan Powers 2001, p. 88.

Light Anyone???

2006-10-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

This image came from Jim Krause's book, Idea Index, 1962. I like the way Jim uses contrasting colors and size to give balance and emphasis to his picture. I know Camille, it's black and white! ;-)

Theme and Art Work Converge

2006-10-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

The "tight art" illustrated by this computer generated add uses bold and stylized art to showcase the headline and logo for Mexicana Airlines. I like the way the designed tied their "few steps away" theme into the drawing of the steps entering the plane. Art director: John Coll. Designers: John Scott MacDaniels and John Coll. This add can be found in The Design of Advertising-1994 by Roy Paul Nelson.

Violating Reality

2006-10-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

This photo is a Saab ad from the 1980's where two distinct objects are blended together without actually morphing them together. The photograph and topic of violating reality can be found in the book Visual Persuaion - 1997 by Paul Messaris.

"Dedicated to Pleasure"

2006-10-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Within their them "Dedicated to Pleasure," Haagen Dazs ran a series of photographic adds make their ice cream standout in weekend newspaper publications in England. I like the way the design of this add uses different levels of gray to heighten the viewers interest (check out the use of fonts). Credit for this publication goes to the following: Agency: Bartle Bogle Hegarty, London. Art direttor: Rooney Carruthers. Copywriter: Larry Barker. Photographer: Barry Lategan. This add can be found in The Design of Advertising-1994 by Roy Paul Nelson.

Do You Get the Picture?

2006-10-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

This add which spanned two pages with Toshiba "introducing television for people whose sense of hearing is as finely tuned as their sense of sight" highlights the importance of using the design principles of balance, proportion, sequence, unity, and emphasis. I particularly like the way designers used white space and element positioning to utilize the appropriate design area. This add can be found in The Design of Advertising-1994 by Roy Paul Nelson. The agency: Calet, Hirsch & Spector, Inc. Art director: Gordon Bennett and Steve Lansberg. Copywriter: Steve Lansberg.

"Cut and Paste" to perfection

2006-09-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

To demonstrate "cut and paste" technology I thought this picture, which is actually put together from two separate photographs and retouched at the center, offers a very interesting way to look at distance as a curvature of the earth. Obviously with computer assistance and digital retouching the "camera doesn't lie" is a fallacy. Agency: Carl Ally Inc. Copy write: Hertz System, Inc., 1972. This add can be found in The Design of Advertising-1994 by Roy Paul Nelson.

Shopping Anyone?

2006-09-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

I loved this add because of its use of repeating patterns, something we've been doing with the "Spanish tiles" and unity projects,and the unique way the designer, John Sayles of Sayles Graphic Design, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa incorporates high tech imagery. I felt the MHM logo was truly unique and very attractive. The add ran in Shopping Centers Today to interest potential store to locate in an Iowa mall. (Art director: John Sayles. Copywriter: Mary Langen-Goldstein. This add can be found in The Design of Advertising-1994 by Roy Paul Nelson.

Subliminal Imagery

2006-09-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

A 1994 add for Kahlua Cafe instant coffee one can see the steam rolling above the coffee forming in image of a man and woman embracing. I imagine Adobe Illustrator w/ layers was used to enhance this photo. The designer is using "subliminal" imagery to gain the interest of the viewer. This add and more information on this type of advertising can be found in Visual Persuation-1997 by Paul Messaris.

Scooter - Our Canine Friend

2006-09-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

This blog would not be complete without a picture of our dog, Scooter, who recently showed up in my personal sketchbook.

Buttons and More

2006-09-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Art director Mike Camusso presents this photographic design for Lands' End's special catolog: "Buttondowns and Beyond." I think the curves and colors used in this illustration demonstrate an effective way for the design elements of unity, especially proximity and continuation, to be utilized. The shirts, ties and buttons are in contact with each other and the eloquent way the folds of each fabric are aligned make the picture flow seamlessly. This add can be found in The Design of Advertising-1994 by Roy Paul Nelson.

Head to the Beach Anyone?

2006-09-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

This work is from Beach Culture, 1990. The photo by Geof Kern was originally submitted for inside the magazine, but it made the cover. I really like the black/white composition and the strength it gives to this design. The faceless image leads me to a feeling of fear of the water and the toughness needed to attack it.

AT&T - Your World Delivered

2006-09-01T03:50:00.000-07:00

When I first looked at this billboard sign (located a block east of Parkland College) my reaction was this think its design was directly in contrast to the theory implied in my previous post by Carson. After reflecting further, I am not so sure his rule-dissolving style isn't quite apparent in this photograph of the AT&T advertisement. Regardless, I think this is one of the coolest boards I've seen. I look forward to your thoughts on this matter.

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine

2006-08-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

This photo appeared in Transworld Skateboarding Magazine. It was done by David Carson who is well known for his preference to use print and graphics in a very creative fashion. He generally tries to avoid formatting content pages. He attempts to gain the viewer interest and imagination with his productions. I particular like the way he gains your attention to look more thoroughly at the picture by adjusting the size and position of the graphic image.

This photo was copied from The End of Print: The Grafik Design of David Carson by Lewis Blackwell and David Carson, 1987.

Del Meets the Donald

2006-08-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hi GDS 108 Students:
As my first post, I thought I would give you one the most memorable stories I encountered while serving as Mahomet-Seymour High School's principal. Last summer my wife and I were on a 7-day tour of New York City with our high school chorus program. The choir performed at the United Nations building and St. John's Cathedral, --but that's not the story!

On our last day in the city we basically had some free time. Being the good husband I am, I agree to take the subway to 34th street and go shopping with my wife. If you've been to NYC you know this is a mecca for shoppers. While doing some speed shopping at Macy's, I decided to depart my wife's company and go down the first floor and relax. To my surprise, there was a huge crowd gathering. I asked the person next to me what was up and he replied, "The Donald is coming!" After further questioning, I found out that Donald Trump was due to arrive in about 15 minutes to open up his new line of signature wrist watches.

To make a long story short, I found out that if I bought a "Trump" watch from Macy's that particular day there was a special reward attached. I would get to personally meet Mr. Trump, he would sign my watch case and I'd then get my picture taken with him. I figured this offer was a once in a lifetime opportunity I couldn't pass on. Well, as you can see, I did get to meet Donald and if you like, I will show you the "watch" when you come the GDS 108.

To see the faces of the students when I showed them the attached picture my wife took when we returned from Macy's was quite memorable. Ironically, we left New York at 4:00 p.m. that day from Trump Towers.