Your Advertisement

So what's your ad for? What's it look like? What magazine did you get it from? Who's the target audience for that magazine? Do you think the ad's content and design was influenced by that? In what way? See where I'm going with this? Discuss the ad you chose in terms of its AUDIENCE and PURPOSE. Those two things are going to determine a whole heckuva lot when it comes to developing an ad--just like they should when you're composing any piece of writing.

My advertisement is for a Mr. Clean GAIN cleaner. The background is a bathroom with a bathtub, sink, cabinet all in white ceramics and white tile. The appliances are stainless steel. There is a fully dressed lady standing in the bathtub, dressed in tan pants (blending in well with background) and a darker blue shirt, that goes well with light blue walls.  Her hair is dark, which makes her stick out more too.  There is kind of a triangle shape between her head, shower head and the following 3 words in red: "Sniff Sniff Hooray!".  In the bottom right corner there are two Mr. Clean GAIN bottles in a bright green color, with scent coming up and moving towards the words in red. This ad is from the Parenting magazine. The target audience is mothers and fathers. I think the design and content is influenced by that.  It looks like an ad for someone who is in the twenties or thirtees and has to clean a house or apartment.  The purpose is to get the young parents to buy Mr. Clean Gain, so their bathroom will smell this good and look this clean.  The green bottles also are about the same color as the GAIN detergent and will get you thinking of your bathroom smelling as good as this detergent.  I think seeing this ad, you will remember it if you see the bright green bottles of Mr. Clean GAIN in the store and possibly buy it. 

Kristina Hanson

 

Elements of an Effective Layout

The analytical tool in this article is that balance, proportion, movement, utility, clarity and emphasis are most important to create an effective layout.  My ad is about Mr. Clean Gain.  There is a very clean bathroom that is white, some stainless steel applianes and a very light blue wall. What sticks out most is the lady in the shower wearing a dark blue shirt and having brown hair and the Mr. Clean bottles on the bottom of the ad. 

Balance: When I put a vertical line, then the lady is to the left of the line, and the Mr. Clean bottles to the right.  The Mr. Clean bottles are big compared to the woman, but when you just consider the most visual part of the woman, which is the upper body, then the bottles are about the same size.  I think this ad is well done in regards to balance.

Proportion: The color in the ad is great. The most important things are in color, with the Mr. Clean bottles being the most colorful.  In proportion, the Mr. Clean bottles are very large compared to the person in the picture.  You can tell that they are important by the size.

Movement: I think they also did a great job with the movement.  The lady in the shower has her eyes closed, but her face is pointed towards the corner with the Mr. Clean bottles. They are in the bottom right corner, where you look last.

Unity: The elements tie into each other by colors. The bathroom is all light colored. The woman in the shower ties in with her shirt being a darker blue, but going well with the light blue walls.  There is a green vertical line going across on the bottom with text and then the two Mr. Clean bottles in the same color in the bottom right corner.

Clarity and Simplicity: I definitely feel like this layout is not too complicated or crowded.  It brings the point across by using color contrasts. The text is also in a very good and easy to read size and color.

Emphasis: The most emphasis is definitely on the Mr. Clean bottles.  They are brightest in color and also biggest in size proportionally.

The one I did not quite understand was the balance one. I think I got it, but I'm not quite sure. I think the one with emphasis is definitely very important.  Least important I would maybe find the balance.

I don't think this ruins advertisement for me.  I knew before they are trying to sell me something and I find it interesting to see how they accomplish getting your attention and remembering the product. I don't think I usually buy things I see in ads anyway. 

Kristina Hanson

Democracy of Goods - Kristina Hanson

I believe that the thesis or main point is that according to "The Appeal of the Democracy of Goods" everyone is able to enjoy the society's benefits, pleasures or conveniences. Today, I don't believe advertisements state that you can live like ... by buying this product.  The ads still follow that, for example by showing olive oil and a turkey and saying that with this product you will experience an "unforgettable expression of culinary bliss".  This implies that if you have this olive oil you can cook a turkey that looks just as good.  You don't need to be a good cook, you just need to buy this product.  The Huggies diaper ad I chose states that it will help spread Christmas cheer.  If your baby wears this diaper you will help other people to have a joyful Christmas.  I believe this ad doesn't appeal to being poor and being able to live just like someone who is rich, but even if you are not in the mood for Christmas (death in family, divorce, lost job,...), when you buy this diaper, you are going to have a joyfull Christmas and so will everyone else who sees your baby in this diaper.

Advertising - Kristina Hanson

I saw a cute Huggies add in a magazine that is for Santa Diapers.  The diaper is red and has a Santa's belt with golden buckel printed on it.  I think it is effective because of the cute babies and the way they are dressed with diaper, shirt and Santa's hat.  They look really cute and I had to smile when I saw this ad.  It definitely uses humor. The box of diapers is red also.  I don't have a baby in a diaper anymore, but if I did, I'm pretty sure I would buy a box unless it is a lot more expensive than regular Huggies diapers.  I think the way this add is done, people will remember it when they see a red diaper box on a diaper shelf and are inclined to buy it.   

 

Earlier today I saw a commercial on TV from one of these title loan companies.  If you have a good title on your car, you can get money for Christmas presents.  A guy was dressed as an Elf.  This commercial just looked stupid to me.  I definitely wouldn't go out get a loan from them because of this commercial. On the other hand, the commercial being stupid might just stick in people's head and if they are needing to get money and drive buy one of these stores, they migh remember this stupid commercial and get the money from them. 

 

I haven't watched much TV in quite a while, as I just can't seem to find the time for it with school, work and family, and I don't remember any ads that I have watched before.

 

Kristina Hanson