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