10/4/07

Take The Challenge!


Art Directors Annual 85, pp 48-49
Virgin Digital, Rodrigo Butori, Poster and Billboard

Virgin Digital wanted to create a poster that would engage people and keep them staring at the ad for a long time. This piece contains more than 75 visual metaphors of musical artists and bands. The design challenged people to see how many musical references they could find. The ad worked better than expected when it hit the web because dozens of blogs, websites, and online communities spontaneously promoted it by embracing the challenge.
Unity is seen by proximity, by repetition of shapes (round objects) and orientation (buildings), by use of similar hues used throughout the design, and repeatedl splashes of bright red. The focal point is the prince in the foreground established by contrast in value with his bright red clothes and by direction since he's at the "front" of the picture. From the prince, your eyes follow the street to the "back" of the picture. The prince is also emhasized by isolation with more physical space surrounding him versus the other images in the composition. The design is symmetrically balanced with the street in the center on the vertical axis. Rhythm is seen in the repeated vertical lines of the buildings and in the repeated shape of the bent limbs of the people "in motion".

1 comment:

Joy Seward said...

Very nice analysis of the picture! I can see why this graphic was successful for them. The 'Where's Waldo' principle at work!
Joy