Musings of a Mad Man: July 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Illustration and Design: Visual Identity (Pages 1-4)

Writing About Your Product

What does it taste like?

Like the slick, fresh blood of non-violent conquests mixed with the juices of a sweet, succulent fruit from an undiscovered tropical island.

For whom is it designed?

For the champion in life; for he or she who believes they can do it all, regardless of whether or not they actually can.

What sort of mood or feeling does it convey?

The feeling of winning. It feels like that suave confidence and proud accomplishment you have after you win... anything.

Whom do you get to pretend you are when you drink it?

Perhaps an international spy taking a break from saving the world and wooing one of his many female companions. Or maybe you just get to be that guy at the end of the bar that people can't quite figure out, but they sure are trying.

How do you get to pretend you feel when you drink it?

Like you just beat Michael Phelps, Lance Armstrong, and Usain Bolt in swimming, biking, and running, respectively and simultaneously. Like you just blew up the compound of a man who was hellbent on ruling the world. Like you just slaughtered an army of ninjas without breaking a sweat. And like you just met your soulmate and you know it, but you're going to pretend that you couldn't give less of a damn.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I like the use of primary colors in the central text of the poster. The use of mainstay colors like red, yellow, and blue on a black background is something that is obvious to the mind, but it's mostly avoided in fear of being too obvious. The composition of the pull-blind and drawstring is effective matted in a creme backdrop as well.

IN HARM'S WAY

The repetition of symbolism in the big pointing hand and the small pointing hand is a smart and effective way to make the poster memorable. The whole post has a directionality to it. The cool, blue tones are always welcome to the eye, and once again the matte effect is employed by Saul Bass effortlessly.

THE BIRDS

Like most Saul Bass designs, the use of color, line, contrast, and shape is simple yet extremely effective. The bold use of orange is a Bass signature move. The title of the movie is framed within the very central window of the feather, and the poster itself has a very tall and firm standing due to the "spine" of the feather.