Chap. 7:
In this chapter, the two 1962 Wolfschmidt Vodka ads caught my attention. For one, the composition is simple and to the point - a bottle of alcohol and a cocktail ingredient set behind a white backdrop. But they are not just lifeless objects as most food and beverage ads are. Instead, the ad incorporates adult situations through the text dialogue of these objects to inject humor. I like how the ads not only work as singular compositions, but also as a series. This is because narrative has been used to provide a story for these objects.
The ad I compared this to is another remnant from the 1960s, except the vice is not alcohol - but Winston Cigarettes. In this ad, the Flintstones are used to push these cigarettes onto the public, not unlike the Joe Camel phenomenon of the 1990s. Back then, the Flintstones were a highly successful primetime sitcom, similar to today's Simpsons and Family Guy. Their appealing designs made them huge. It is real ironic to see them in these situations, considering the Flintstones went on to promote kids' vitamins. Regardless, this commercial is hilarious, politically correct or not. It is fascinating, especially in a world where cigarette ads are barred from television altogether.
YOUTUBE Link for Ad: Winston Cigarrettes, featuring the Flintstones.
Chapter 8:
Of all the ads presented in this chapter, the Artwalk posters by Murder Dog were the best. I just have an affinity for festival and gig posters, so to me it was great seeing a whole assortment of them. The graphic nature of these illustrations are complimented with bold colors and fun typography that always keep the eye busy. Since these ads were part of a showcase on Murder Dog's designs in the book, it was great reading some of the reasoning behind these compositions of visual insanity.
Likewise, I compared them to the posters for some of the most famous animations festivals like Ottawa and Mike and Spike's. It should be no surprise that these posters are incredible graphic as animation is a limitless, visual medium that pushes one's imagination. I love the throwback nature of some of these posters, as well as all the varying art styles seen. Compared to the Murder Dog pieces, these posters are far more chaotic yet never overkill. Just vivid compositions that arouse the eye. I wish more posters like these decorated my bus stop instead of the boring crap that's there non-stop.
Chap. 9:
The Graeter's Ice Cream ads were the advertisements that I found most interesting in this chapter. I love advertisements that are serial in nature. Unfortunately here, these ads do not tell a story like the Vodka ads from Chapter 7. Still, they are an attractive set of simple, smart designs. The whole tagline is bent on the idea that you'll melt once you taste how good this ice cream is. They push this visually by showing the melted bodies of people who dared took a stare. The composition of these ads are very simple but provide depth (thanks to angled nature of the melted people). The colors are vibrant and the actual image of the ice cream is glorious. Makes me want to have some ice cream right now and it's only 10 in the morning!
Below I attached some food commercials that I thought were similar in terms of making the food vibrant and interesting. That said, the actual ad I chose to speak on was a comedic ad for a New York deli called The Pump. This ad speaks on how society bombards us with all this glorious-looking, heart-attack inducing crap. It is a bit disturbing (the fast cutting, the evil muppet) for children, in a manner that is similar to MTV's short-lived Wonder Showzen variety show. Anyways, I think this ad is successful because it's hilarious on a superficial level but when you really think about it, there is this deeper message mocking our society. Also, I love delis - so yeah. Ha.
YOUTUBE LINK to Ad: "Do You Eat Crap? Like Punching Sandwiches?" ad for the Pump, NYC.
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