MKT 250: Affiliate vs. Shipping

October 4, 2019 megansdesigncornerLeave a comment

This week, as I read about the pros and cons of different business models, I realized that a great deal of effort is required for almost any new business in order for it to succeed. Simply figuring out where to source products that you plan on selling requires a great deal of research, analysis, and careful planning. Price is not the sole, or even primary, factor in deciding where to source products from. Turnaround time, minimum order requirements, and many other factors all play an important part in this decision.

The assignments and reading for the week had a great deal to do with drop shipping versus affiliate marketing. From thinking through both business models, I was able to realize that each had their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Drop shipping had more potential for growing into a full-blown merchant site, while affiliate marketing had less capital investment required. On the other hand, drop shipping can lead to more negative experiences with customers because of things like poor quality products and how returns are handled. Each of the two models should be carefully considered for how well they suit what a business is seeking to do.

MKT 250: Choosing an Online Business

September 26, 2019 megansdesigncornerLeave a comment

This week, as I completed the assignments for this class, I realized how many amazing tools are available to almost anyone looking to start an online business. Things like the amount of people interested in a given product would have taken thousands of dollars and a team of surveyors to find out beforehand. Now, thanks to tools made available by Google as well as other ad services, it is trivially easy to get a good idea of what kind of demand there is for any given product. Similarly, platforms like WordPress have made it easy for anyone to set up their own website for running or advertising their own business. In the 90’s and 00’s it would have taken a solid knowledge of programming to accomplish anything similar.

Overall, the things that I read and learned this week gave me an immense sense of gratitude for all of the help available in starting an online business nowadays. It has really opened up new markets and opportunities for people of all skill levels, as well as from all walks of life, to be able to make an impression on the rest of the world. Guides about different business models and their advantages are right at our fingertips. Knowing the ins and outs of the different business models can help a company get started on a firm financial footing, as well as avoid potential pitfalls which could potentially jeopardize their success. The internet is full of opportunities for anyone who looks for them.

Elements in Photography

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018 megansdesigncornerLeave a comment

Intro

Good photography has a way of taking our breath away, whether it’s of something man-made or something that occurs in nature. Photos which follow a few basic rules enhance the communication with their viewers. They tell a story via the elements they use. At times, they even encourage the audience to use their imagination because of their unique perspective. Some of these include the rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field. All of these things impact how the audience interprets and relates to the images they see.

Rule of Thirds

negative-space-silhouette-of-dandelion-behind-sun-Custom-1

https://negativespace.co/silhouette-dandelion-behind-sun/

dandelionPS This image of a dandelion is a great example of the rule of thirds. The subject is off-centered and is more pleasing to the eye, as it appears more natural than things which are exactly in the center of an image. The photographer also made good use of the “negative space” around the dandelion, as the darker shadows serve as a frame. They also balance out the photo by helping it to appear less empty.

Photo by Megan McBride

In the photo taken above, the head of the dandelion lies on the left-hand side of the frame. It also intersects with the bottom third of the image. This makes the head of the dandelion the center of the photo. The trees along the bottom help to underscore the rest, leading to an increased focus on the main subject.

Leading Lines

https://negativespace.co/girl-walking-railway-track/

train-tracksPS

The human eye has a natural tendency to follow lines. Here, the tracks begin at the bottom of the photo and then start to guide the eye upwards and inwards – towards the center of the image. The train tracks draw the viewer in, encouraging them to follow in order to reach their destination. The tracks gradually recede to create a vanishing point as well, leaving the onlooker wondering what lies beyond the edge of the railway. They may even be left wondering if there is an end.

Photo by Megan McBride

Here we can see that the power lines travel across the photo towards the bottom left. This draws the eye to the sunset in the distance, and gives it a feeling of tranquility. The lines also create a gradient going right to left across the image, transitioning from a dark blue to a bright orange. This leaves the “bigger picture” up to the audience’s imagination as well.

Depth of Field

https://gratisography.com/photo/family-of-rubber-ducks/

RubberDucksPS

There is a gradual transition in the sharpness and quality of the image as the family of rubber ducks slowly recedes into the background of the photo. This gives it a lot of depth – meaning the distance between the duck in front is clearer and closer to the eye than the duck in the back. The blurred background ensures focus on the lead duck, which is what the photographer intended. This makes the image more engaging and interesting for the viewer because it mimics the way the human eye focuses on objects.

Photo by Megan McBride

In the image above, the red flower at the front has a sharp focus, making it evident that it is the main subject. The red really pops, and it seems close enough one could reach out and touch it. The white flower to the right is slightly blurry, emphasizing that it is the secondary focus and clarifying the hierarchy of information to the viewer. The rest of the flowers become progressively blurrier, similar to how the human eye focuses on its surroundings.

Conclusion

There are many tools at the disposal of photographers to make their images stand out and to draw in their viewers’ attention. Leading lines help guide the audience’s eyes along the photo, while the rule of thirds helps make the images more aesthetically pleasing and balanced. Lastly, depth of field creates a main focal point by contrasting sharpness and blur. All these tools combined help a photographer to be more effective when conveying messages, allowing them to not just inspire but encourage their viewers to take their own journeys via their imaginations.

“Smellcome to Manhood”

October 4, 2018 megansdesigncornerLeave a comment

OldSpiceAd

Introduction

In 1934, William Lightfoot Schultz founded the Shulton Company. Four years later, they began manufacturing Old Spice for men. Schultz used a maritime theme for the company, and it has become a well-known trademark of the company today. This can be seen in anchors and ships on their products, as well as the beach found in the image above.

Old Spice launched the “Smell Like a Man, Man” campaign in 2010, just prior to the Superbowl. The Superbowl commercial created for the campaign was so successful that they continued with the theme in other television commercials and in print ads. The ad was created by the Wieden+Kennedy firm.

https://www.effie.org/case_database/case/NA_2011_4882

Typeface #1

OldSpiceAdTypeface1

The first typeface seen in the photo above is sans-serif. The word “sans” means without in French, and serif refers to the small lines, like feet, on the ends of letter strokes. It is a sans-serif font because there are no such lines on any of the letters, such as in the circled “L” above. Both the letters “A” and “M” are highlighted to show that they are monoweight, meaning that the strokes have the same uniform thickness throughout. This is another characteristic of a sans-serif typeface.

Typeface #2

OldSpiceAdTypeface2

The second typeface used is an oldstyle font. When the line is drawn through the thinnest parts of the “O,” we can see that the stress of the letter leans diagonally right. The letters also have serifs, as are visible on the “D” in the ad. Lastly, the letters have varying degrees of thickness, like on the “S.” The center is much thicker here than the ends.

CONTRAST

The main points of contrast between the two typefaces are the use of stress, the use of serifs, and the use of monoweight in the ad. By comparing the “L” with the “O,” one can see that the “O” has stress because it leans diagonally right when a line is drawn through its thinnest points, while the “L” is perfectly vertical. There is a stark contrast between the “D” and the letter “E” because the small, feet like strokes at the end of the “D.” The “E” on the other hand, is a simpler sans-serif font. Lastly, the “N” exhibits a thickness that is constant throughout, while the “E” has both thicker and thinner strokes present.

Conclusion

It’s clear that the two typefaces above share a contrasting relationship because the two elements are easily differentiated. One is a simple, bolder, sans-serif font while the other takes on a more refined appearance with its diagonally right stress. This contrast makes the hierarchy of information clear to the viewers, because it encourages them to “Smell Like a Man, Man,” before associating the concept with Old Spice. The Old Spice brand name is consciously written in an oldstyle typeface to stress the importance of the brand itself, and make it something memorable for their audience. All these typographical elements combined give the ad clear communication, purpose, and a sense (or a scent) of freshness!

The Journey Begins

September 26, 2018September 26, 2018 megansdesigncornerLeave a comment

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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Do You See What I See?

September 25, 2018 megansdesigncornerLeave a comment

Intro

In 2013, Leo Burnett of France created an ad for Jeep called “Giraffe.” The ad consists of an optical illusion. Viewed one way, it appears to illustrate a giraffe, and when flipped over, it appears to be a penguin. Jeep began by producing general purpose vehicles for the military during WWII. According to legend, the name Jeep originates from “GP,” which soldiers used to refer to general purpose vehicles. Today Jeep is owned by Fiat Chrysler and produces approximately 1.4 million cars per year. They are one of the most popular choices for off-roading available on the market.

https://www.adsoftheworld.com/media/print/jeep_giraffe

CONTRAST

GiraffeContrast

Here, we can see how the darker brown contrasts sharply with the beige colored fabric of the background. The brown serves to highlight the optical illusion as well as the text placed at the top and bottom of the ad. Notice there is also a gradient in the background at the upper and lower edges of the image, which draws the viewers’ eyes to the center of the image.

Repetition

The ad clearly illustrates three forms of the principle of repetition. The BOLD sans-serif typeface is repeated in both instances of the text. The darker coffee color is used for all of the elements the ad designer wanted the audience to focus on. The mirroring of the text places extra emphasis on the brand name, while also allowing the ad to work in either orientation. Hence we see a giraffe in one orientation and a penguin in the other.

Alignment

GiraffeAlignment

This image is center aligned, which means it is highly likely that it is a conscious decision by the creator. It forces the reader to focus on the center of the image, and it ties the giraffe and the mirrored text together nicely. Because the text is curved on the upper and lower halves, the alignment helps create the beginnings of the outline of a tire. This could remind viewers of the wheel which is commonly seen on the back of Jeep vehicles today.

Proximity

The close proximity of the elements in this ad helps frame the optical illusion at the center of the design. The message of “See what you want to see” invites the viewer to reassess what they are looking at. It also gives the readers a clear structure to follow – from top to bottom.

Color

The colors of the ad are largely monochrome, and are simplistic yet effective because there aren’t many elements to divert the viewers’ attention. The center of the background is a light beige which appears to be fabric, and it gradients into a darker beige at the top and bottom of the image. This might remind an onlooker of the fabric upholstery on the seat of the car, or on the soft-top cover of a Jeep. The earthy colors remind the audience of the outdoors and encourages them to make the most of the unique experience if proffers – hence their message, “See what you want to see.”

Conclusion

All five principles of design are present in this ad by Jeep. The use of these principles brings a razor sharp focus to the central elements of the ad and draws in the viewers’ attention promptly. The earthy colors give it a warm and inviting feeling, as if it were encouraging the audience to go and experience life to the fullest (in a Jeep of course)!