the GOOD & the BAD

Assignment 16A
These ads are an example of Image or Lifestyle Advertisements. The goals of these ads are to inform and persuade its readers to purchase Elle Magazine. Since these are both covers of Elle’s recent editions, they are trying to persuade their reader’s interest by the two different, and attention grabbing covers, and Elle’s readers can spot there magazine at a glance because of its “in your face” large close-up covers.
In the Good cover all the elements work together to achieve the issue’s message. The large “ELLE” trademark fonts are sometimes hard to work with and the Brittany issue works well, especially with the dynamic photo of her and her two sons, there is a lot going on, along with taglines and slogans. The elements communicate to its audience emotionally, without overwhelming the reader. The product shot is perfect. This photographer and stylist of the photo shot did a perfect job of keeping the color palette simple and neutral. This edition’s cover has so much going on, yet it is very visually appealing and But on the Bad cover, featuring The Women in Hollywood, I feel the photographer did not keep in mind the product shot or photo’s purpose. The blurred green branch hanging centered on the actress’s head and in the middle of the line create tension and confusion. This photo could’ve been a great choice, but for a completely different type of advertisement. I also feel the product shot was not illustrated pleasingly with the headline. But the taglines I think are in a good layout.
The format or graphic impact of the Brittany cover has a proper and visual balance and symmetry, the product shot incorporating the photo’s color palette along with the taglines are not to unified, but have enough variation it keeps the cover from looking chaotic. The color palette and the placement of the taglines around the Brittany and her two sons create a sense of rhythm and personality of the photo (especially the two little wiggly boys), along with the issue’s theme and appeal. The Bad Hollywood cover I think is trying to use asymmetry with the single tagline in the bottom corner. Maybe even the blurred branch is suppose to create the asymmetrical layout but didn’t achieve it. I don’t see any Unity or rhythm or even a visual hierarchy since the compositions layout and photo is so distracting and confusing.