DVD - Taken

I found this picture of a DVD cover while looking for another one that I saw at Woolies. (Which I couldn't find but if/when I do, I will put it up too.) I found it at http://www.genreonline.net/Genre_files/TakenLarge.jpg. The purpose of the cover is to get people interested in the movie - to pick it up and have a read and then buy it or rent it.

It's a monochromatic colour scheme, using only shades and tints of blue, giving it an ethereal sort of feel. The typography is a simple sans serif, but uses a kind of shadowing effect which gives a feeling of movement. The 'A' is represented by a female figure - it doesn't look exactly like an A, but in context everyone knows that it's supposed to be, and it also helps lend to the theme of the movie. (Which I'm guessing must be alien abductions.....I've never seen the movie) She's obviously been abducted and probably experimented on so now she glows from the alieans radioactive technology. Or whatever. :)

I think it's great how the glow lights up the top of the bushes down the bottom - gives it an eery sort of feel and makes it slightly more realistic which how the light would fall. I think it's a good design, not overly complex but effective in portraying what the movie is about. (Let's hope I don't have it totally wrong!)

I was attracted to it by the use of the figure as the A - I thought that was quite interesting, especially how it more represents the letter than actually looking like an A. The way it is all blue also attracts the eye - It's a cool colour scheme, and one can imagine being there and shivering. Maybe not with just the cold.......... Overall I think it's a pretty good piece of design. Not good enough to make me want to watch it though. :P

This is an ad that I found on Google while looking for ads with the 'less is more' approach. The ad is attempting to get people to change from ordinary light bulbs to the energy efficient light bulbs. The design is extremely simplistic, but very cleverly done to create an image that can be interpreted as both a hangman's noose and a light bulb. It's a very effective design and cleverly made. The text is straight to the point, though perhaps not entirely true.... (can we really save the environment just by changing our light bulbs???) I like the piece because of how simple and clever it is at the same time. I feel the black is a way of trying to convey a seriousness about the underlying issue (the environment) and of course, the hangman's noose does this as well.

chocolate cake

This is a packet cake that is in our pantry. Obviously the package is trying to sell the product and its main selling point is the picture of the cake which looks so very scrumptiously tempting. What attracted me to it, was actually the spoon across the top which I guess is the logo, as it has the brand name on it. I thought that was pretty cute, also the little spatula that has wiped a chocolaty background to the words 'Includes Ready to spread Frosting' is cute too. The red colour, which is the main colour of the box gives it a kind of passionate, sensual feel to the whole thing, and I think the typography really suits the product. The neutral colours behind the cake helps it to fade into the background, and also gives it a kind of homey feel. Overall I think it's a good piece of design that I consider quite effective.