Create your own advertisement for an existing product or service, or create your own advertisement for a product or service of your own creation

Assignment 1: Create Your Own Advertisement

Graphic design and advertising affect our our lives in very personal ways. Our personal identities can be influenced by these outside forces. This assignment explores how graphic design, which is the art of combining text and visuals, can make an impact. As well, the choice of font we use sends an important nonverbal message. There is a rich history surrounding typography that many people are unaware of. Once you realize the effect your typography, typeface, and font choices make, you become aware of the full impact you make when sending written messages and posting online.

Directions:

1. Create your own advertisement for an existing product or service, or create your own advertisement for a product or service of your own creation. THIS MUST BE UNIQUE. DO NOT COPY/PASTE.
2. Design the ad to include the following components:
   1. A new logo
   2. A unique slogan that you create
   3. A visual (this can be from the Internet if you are creating a new ad for an existing product; just be careful about copyright)
   4. Appropriate colour choices
   5. A specific typeface/font that matches the message of the ad and contributes to its success
3. You may use Canva, Word, Google Docs, or any program you prefer. As well, you can draw this by hand and glue pieces cut out from magazines or whatever and take a picture . I am not marking you on creativity. I am assessing whether or not you are applying ideas from the modules and following directions. It is very clear when students put in effort or not! Also, there are many unique and free fonts online that can be found. Make the effort to find the perfect font for your ad.
4. Think about how the words and symbols/icons you choose relate to the product and make the advertisement successful. What is your motivation? Are you selling an idea or a product? Is it socially or ecologically responsible? What kind of story line could you use?
5. When you are deciding on your advertisement, ask yourself what kind of appeal you are trying to use (see slidedeck for the list). Does it appeal to self-image? What other appeal might work? Decide on the angle you are trying to take.
6. When you create your ad, consider what literary devices or special messaging you could incorporate. You can create an intentional double entendre. The double meaning can be racy or indecent for the sake of being that way (shock value), or it could make a profound political or social commentary (think religion, psychology, politics, environmental issues, etc). Perhaps you could use some sort of subliminal messaging in the visual to try and connect to your targeted demographic’s subconsciousness. Alternatively, if you prefer straightforward messaging, carefully consider the words and language you will use. How does it relate to the product or service? How does it relate to the “brand”? Does it reflect any sort of social or ecological promise?
7. Choose a typeface/font that adds to the message non-verbally. This typeface should psychologically connect your audience to the product or service. It should shape the tone of the ad. There should be a definitive link between the typefaces you use and the message you are sending. Be sure to make links between the types of fonts you choose and the images or messages that you attach to them. These choices should not be arbitrary and should be meaningful in some way.

Overall Assignment: Create your own advertisement for an existing product or service, or create your own advertisement for a product or service of your own creation.