Project 2: Ads Finals Part II

Part II of the ads finals for project 2! Initially, this was much brighter and green. However, since I'm trying to relay a feeling of grit, I felt like a dirty noise-infested brown [with some green] background would be more fitting. I also looked through fonts and decided on one called "dirty headline". This font is used through all of the ads. 

Honestly, I'm really pleased. This entire project was being so difficult for me to grasp [for some reason], but after Thursday, I figured it all out. I don't really know Photoshop, but I explored, and got some hints along the way. I really like the stroke effect! I feel like it's gonna be my friend.

Project 2: Ads Finals Part I

I'm pleased to say that over the weekend, I found the proper inspiration and worked diligently. True, it was on the floor, but it was diligent floor work! I finished these up last night, and I feel like they have unifying elements and present the product in the light that I was aiming for.

My only concern is the blood splatter on the 5 by 5 ad. I haven't printed it on the fancy paper and fancy printer, yet, but I did  a test run on my printer at home, and the blood comes up so dark it's basically not there. I've been trying to tweak it on photoshop, but nothing I've done is exactly what I want. So, before tomorrow, I want to try some other alternatives, and have two files to print for tomorrow. 

Look for the 8 by 10 ad in the other post!

Project 2: Progress

This week has been kind of an unlucky one in the progress department. Aside from normal school and exams, my back complications decided to reemerge, so I've mostly been on the floor if I'm not in class. 

Because I've had such a painful week [and an exploding computer], I haven't gotten much done, or not to the way I liked in the ads. I also kept running into the problem where the internet images were too small to properly render.

However, after Thursday's mid-point critique, I got some good ideas on how to present the ads. I'm going to keep to an obviously collaged advertisement with a simultaneous feeling of punk and grit and boldness. I think the common theme that will be in my ads will be the thick outlines of colour around certain aspects of the ad. 

I'm still having difficulty in placing the way the tag line and logo into the ads in a cohesive way. 

Currently, this is what I've got. I don't feel like they're done, but it's gone a lot further and I'm starting to finally be pleased with the results.

Project 2: Sketches For Ads

These are quick sketches of concepts I'm trying to work with. I constantly have to remind myself that more is not necessarily better. Some ads are so simple, so clean, and the convey their product well. So, I'm attempting to keep that idea in my head.

For the tag line, I think their "Label. Clothing. Family." line could be acceptable. Also, one of the most associated phrases to this label is the whole "I am a monster" schpeel, so I want to use that somewhere.

A difficulty I am facing is where to but the actual logo in the advertisements. I almost feel that, especially in one of them (the one with the guy holding up the sign "skeleton crew"), it doesn't need to the logo. But, I'm not sure if that's allowed, so I need to ask in class next time.

Hopefully this weekend I can gather my wits and try to actually place things in photoshop. I don't know why, but this project kind of feels intimidating. 

Let's battle that intimidation to the ground! YAH!

Project 2: Final Brand Decision

Skeleton Crew is not only a record label, but it is also a clothing company. Additionally, S//C likes to think of its customers as family. So, in my advertisements, I want to try to convey all three elements: music, clothes, and family. 

S//C is an underground-ish company (it's known more because of its founder Frank Iero, who was the guitarist to the band My Chemical Romance. However, since he has left the company, and since the band has broken up, a lot of S//C's popularity has kind of quieted down) that sinks its roots to the New Jersey music scene. 

I'm excited to make advertisements for this brand, but I also feel a little nostalgic. The associations that are tied with it go with my favourite band that doesn't exist any more. Also, because this is more of a punk-oriented label, their organization isn't the best that it could be. Organization is in the back of their minds, so I've been having to dig through obscure tags on tumblr to find some material that I think I may use for the ads.

And really, I don't know why, but I feel like this project is a little harder to get a proper start on. I haven't sketched yet, but I have been going through countless of sources, trying to find images that I can piece together and convey the right feeling for this band. It feels like I'm wasting time, but every time I try to actually get something on paper, like a tag line or a general idea of the way the ads should look, my brain kind of stops and nothing happens.

Ah, well, the weekend is coming, and I'm hoping to utilize it properly.