Posters and Advertising

For our first assignment, we are asked to design an interactive poster. I know. What the heck is an interactive poster? Well it seems as cool as it sounds.

We are used to the digital world now. Ordering food without having to talk to people and sending messages and pictures in an instant. It’s exciting and every changing with the technology. From buttons to touchscreen and fat televisions to skinny ones the cat can knock over. We are the generation that want more in an instant. Waiting is no longer an option.

With that, advertising has changed. It’s not so easy to catch our eye when we are rushing through a crowd of people in the tube station or just jumping in a car to go to the supermarket. New methods are having to be introduced to keep our attention and actually consider what we are looking at. Posters are becoming a way to entertain us and stick in our memory. Hopefully not for the wrong reasons…Let’s get some examples!

I worked in a cinema for over 3 years, so it’s fair to say I’ve witnessed my fair share of great posters, and not so great. Not that I’m a professional, but I’ve gauged from customer reaction and personal experience. So, one of my personal recent favourites:

 (Unknown, 2015)

This little gem from Marvel’s Ant Man. If you can’t see it, then get a little closer. There in the middle, you see Ant-Man. And it’s got you exactly what it wanted you to do; get up close and take it in. It’s simple, it’s funny and people loved it. It doesn't follow a trend and as said by Jesús Prudencio, "I like minimalist design and simple lines. I try to convey what I want with a few elements that make an impact and have a lasting message."

And now, for one that’s not terrible, but could have done with a little more attention when designing.

 (Unknown, 2013)

If you don’t spot it, I don’t blame you. But look a bit closer…Either he is a really bad shot or the editing was a bit off. His guns are pointed at the doorframe, yet his head is inside the doorframe. And she seems like her body is outside of the door with her arms in? I don’t know. It’s all a bit much to take in, but when a colleague pointed this out, I couldn’t unsee it. But apparently, it was finally noticed and rectified later. A bit too late if you ask me as we had this on display for a couple of weeks.

 (Unknown, 2013)

This was more like it. More colour and the perspective and proportions fixed. But it still looked very busy and I think the message was lost. I agreed with Allan Peters when he said "Pick one idea and execute it with the fewest elements possible without losing the integrity of your idea." (Peters, 2015).

But that’s just movies, what has changed in advertising? I’m glad you asked. I managed to find a few rather enticing examples.

 (Colle+McVoy, 2010)

This clever interactive poster lets you spin the globe using touch screen technology. It grabs your attention and gains the interest of the inner child within us that wants to play. Why stand at a bus stop doing nothing when you can play?

 (Constable, 2012)

A similar concept to the one before, but using a camera to put the viewer within the advertisement. Again, it’s fun and stimulating.

Posters aren’t just something we look at now. We can be part of it. Drawing us in when we are waiting at the tube or bus station, when we scroll through web pages and Facebook. We can click or tap and be sent exactly where we want to, whatever takes up little time and means you can get straight back to Pokémon Go.

Bibliography

Colle+McVoy, 2010. Caribou Coffee - Globe. [Online]
Available at: https://adsoftheworld.com/media/outdoor/caribou_coffee_globe
[Accessed 26 10 2016].

Constable, L., 2012. Transportation, Travel & Tourism. [Online]
Available at: http://www.aef.com/exhibits/awards/obie_awards/2013/12
[Accessed 26 10 2016].

Peters, A., 2015. 10 Poster Design Tips. [Online]
Available at: http://www.howdesign.com/design-creativity/ten-poster-design-tips/
[Accessed 18 11 2016].

Prudencio, J., 2014. How to design a poster: 10 pro tips [Interview] (10 February 2014).

Unknown, 2013. Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters. [Online]
Available at: http://www.scifi-movies.com/english/poster-0004076-0-hansel-and-gretel-witch-hunters-2013.htm
[Accessed 26 10 2016].

Unknown, 2013. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D. [Online]
Available at: https://miriamruthross.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/hansel-and-gretel-witch-hunters-3d/
[Accessed 26 10 2016].

Unknown, 2015. These new ‘Ant-Man’ posters are brilliant. [Online]
Available at: http://uk.businessinsider.com/new-ant-man-posters-2015-6?r=US&IR=T
[Accessed 26 10 2016].