Week 5’s Critic Lesson For our Ads

It was quite dry, though it’s kind of amazing how, something at times may look so right to us. But it can look and be interpreted so differently by different people and how some people really have some great ideas. But the lesson was honestly quite constructive I guess for most people in the class. It’s these little comments that we would take away and can be applied into the different areas of our life…

And to start of what I’v felt after reading up on Ads being on target and strategy, 2 Bud-light Ads.

Budlight ability to fly

Budlight ability to breathe fire

Well the two ads were aired during the Super Bowl 2008, 42.

“The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League, the premier association of professional American football. In most years, the Super Bowl is the most-watched American television broadcast. Many popular singers and musicians have performed during the event’s pre-game and halftime ceremonies. The day on which the Super Bowl is played is now considered to be a de facto American national holiday,^[1][2][3] called Super Bowl Sunday. Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest U.S. food consumption day, after Thanksgiving Day” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl

“This means that on average, 80 to 90 million Americans are tuned into the Super Bowl at any given moment. It is also estimated that 130-140 million tune into some part of the game”- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl

One common thing that Americans do during the Super Bowl is to eat and drink. What do they drink? Beer! Ok not everyone drinks it, but there is a large amount of people who do.

Budweiser’s ads emphasizes and uses the element of humour to bring their ads across. They have a large presence in motorsports and superbowls. People tend to want to sit down with a group of friends, watch some motosports or in this case, the Super Bowl and drink beer. It’s relaxing and everyone enjoys a good laugh.

Budweiser has positioned themselves very well and their messages of enjoyment and refreshment hits you and invokes the feeling of wanting to drink it. The humorous starts to the commercials draws in the audience and captures their attention.

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It’s highly essential that we know what our ads are trying to convey, through 2 simple ads and some short background information, it’s easy to see why Budweiser did what they did. And the method which they delivered it to their respective target audience was spot on and it was all on their target and strategy.

This is the understanding I got from reading up on the notes Ms Nga gave to us, there’s alot of content but this is the gist from my point of view.

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Time to share again!

Ok, the site for this week is  a designer’s site, kind of like what smashing magazine is. The site is run by a guy called, Johnson Koh and guess what, he’s from Singapore!

Came across it while surfing from designer blogs and websites. It’s an interesting website to go to, has different areas for like tutorials, inspirations and especially on ads, designs and concepts, print and even billboard ads.

So this website is particularly good and interesting for people in the DI module.

Cheers!

Joel

Part II of the Product and Brand Creation

Last Week I talked about the creation of the product and brand. After much work it has finally been put from thought to pencil to paper and onto the computer.

Presenting, the one. The Only.

Muahahahaha Milk!

You might have to let it load before you can enjoy the full wonder.

Well this is my final piece that I’v done for to be critic by my classmates. The main concept was to play around with the colours of the different flavours. The cow was inspired by Albert Einstein and the lightning was to give the cow a ’shock’ and crazy effect.
As you might be able to notice, the different colours of the lightnings correspond with the flavours and the colours of the flavours. I played around also alittle on the bubbles, replacing the letter ‘O’ for Original and Carbonated. The feedback received was quite positive =) My classmates also provided me quite a number of comments and things I could do to improve it.

1. Do something about the background, maybe a farm like setting
2. Move the flavours to the bottom and energize/change the text
3. Children might not understand the meaning of carbonated, change it to ‘Fizzy’

I will have to find sometime to work on the changes, if I have the time, I’ll post the edited version up.

It’s kind of fun, how we create something from almost nothing, taxing on the brain and the pencil but very much worth it.

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Extras Corner

While surfing the net again this week, I came across another tutorial/inspirational source site-

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/

I had to touch and go on this site, but while at it for a less than 30minutes, I’v come across one post that is related to print ads. Ms nga, I know your stalking us haha so here’s a post on funny print ads that you could add to your collection if you haven’t come across them already.

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/11/40-seriously-funny-print-ads/

That’s all for this week.
“Practice safe design, use a concept” is up this week.

Product & Brand creation Part 1…

Introduction to today’s lesson:

“Single-Point” – That’s pretty much all I remember. But it’s the gist!

How do you turn – Nothing

like this blank sheet of canvas- [which is technically a white square]

Into something out of the ordinary. Something you would never have thought in your wildest imagination about. Something that will shock you. Muahahah…

So here’s the task.

I was grouped with Yi Han and each pair was given an animal for the mascot, and then product we had to work on.

What do you know, we got a cow and we had to come up with a mascot and a brand/product name for the milk.

cow + milk
Cow + Milk
COw +MIlk
COW + MILK!!!!!

So we thought along the lines of traditional milk packaging-

The red line is kinda like our brain waves – thinking logically and traditionally
If you ever want to be different here’s some advice.
DON’T think along a straight line haha

We came up with- normal milk, normal flavors, normal benefits. Everything was just normal normal normal.

But then. But THen.

The lines started to curve abit so to speak.
And the ideas started to flow. From Caramel to Cookies to Peanut Butter and Root Beer.
So it began, a string of ideas that kept flowing into an ingenious mix that resulted in our brand name, mascot and product.

Muahahahaha Milk

[that's 4 'ha's]

Product description: A blend of unique flavors with Carbonated Milk.
That’s right folks, CARBONATED[gas-y] Milk.

This coming week we’ll be continuing working on it, coming up with a mascot from what we are supposed to sketch over this week.  Though we’ve got a rough idea how it’ll look like, I’ll wait till it’s done to show you all. =) So stay tuned!

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Extras corner

So the internet is really a good place to get inspiration – but where do YOU start?

Every post, I’ll be providing a link or two to some great sites which feature tutorials, inspirational works and links, some guides and articles about different kinds of design.

They say to save the best for last- But who can resist?

Here’s one of my favorite sites – http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

Like the name suggests, it’s like a magazine with articles written and works compiled. It covers many aspects of design and is an eye-opener for anyone who wants to take the first step into just the area of design.

Here comes the revival of the whitepaperclip , brought back from the dead.

Although most readers would have migrated, here’s a heads up onto why it has been revived.

I’m currently in the second semester of my 2nd year in Singapore Polytechnic, pursuing in the media and communications  course. Along the way I have decided to take my concentrations in Advertising and Public Relations and so, I’v to take this module called, Design and Illustration, as one of my electives.

In comparison to the other electives, TVSM[TV studio Management] and UCCD[cross cultural studies] I think DI has got to be the best. Maybe it’s just because of the interest in well, design in general.

So it’s going to be me, the blog and DI for about 10 or more posts and we’ll see how it goes from there.

Lesson 1

Pigs Pigs and more Pigs.

Well after a round(s) of introduction, we were split into different animal tribes. I got the pig haha, was grouped along with Ming Jie and Vanessa.

Task number 1- observe and sketch our animal.
Then let it be critic-ed by our fellow tribesmen.

The ears are horribly difficult to be sketched to look nice. It looks so normal in the coloured picture, but ABnormal  in our sketches. =.= . Ms Nga gave us some tips on sketching at the beginning, like how to work with just normal shapes first, then slowly adding and subtracting to give it the end result.

My pig grew after lunch and had to be purposely ’slimmed’ down to fit in the page. But it was a rather nice first lesson and the rest, I hope would just keep getting better.

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A really well done performance to the song Who Am I by Casting Crown

The one , the only - 

Official Original eXe2 2008 BBQ!

Time : Evening Ha GMT+8 to Next morning for those who want to catch up and just hang out!
Date : 23rd December 2008 , Tuesday 
Venue : Sembawang Park – Pit 10 
Dress Code : Smart Casual – lol , joking BBQ wear what you want lol 

The best thing of all it’s only -

$10 Per Person!

There will be Fun and Games and LOTs of food. Bring your cameras , Soccer Balls , Frisbees and all other sorts of stuff you might want.

For Games and Activities , if you have any suggestions please let the organizing duo know , fun party games like Taboo and such. 

We will be buying the foodstuff on the 22nd and 23rd of December .

So please do Volunteer your help to -
Alvin Woon – 92206032  
Joel – 96436391  

What entitles you to attend this BBQ? – You must be an eXe2 or part of the eXtended Family .

Since this is a close event , please refrain from bringing anyone else , maybe your GF or BF , but if you desperately need to , do let us know before hand ya. 

Collection of Money – Dateline Wednesday 17th December ! 

Please Contact Either JoJo or Mao to pay! Remember Pay because we need the money to buy the stuff.

This BBQ will only be a success if YOU! play a part in it. 

This year’s event is proudly brought to you by the organizing duo -

Mao and JoJo !

A sad event , deserves a proper post . . .

Good Bye sec4s . . . 

Record number of people crying for a farewell night.

Ha , ya , I don’t know why so many people cried though… Not that I’m being heartless or anything but , Fir and I didn’t cry lol and we’re alot closer to the sec4s than most other people.

Lets go on a trip back down memory lane - 

Thanks lots Sec4s like I told you all , for letting me step out and lead you guys.

I remember when Yee Meng asked my squad when we were just starting out , who wanted to take the sec2s. I eagerly raised up my hand. I thought it would be easier than taking a new batch of cadets. I thought , I think Alvin Ng and Dzafir thought the same as well.

We were quite wrong in the end, we inherited, a broken down, conflict stricken, communications breakdown, power struggle, quarrelsome and pretty much the most difficult batch I’v seen at that time, from your sec1 NCOs. We understood that it wasn’t really all your fault , took us quite a while to trace the problem back to your lack of true NPCC culture/exposure/enjoyment you all had in sec1. When we were having fun enjoying our sec2 lives with YM , you all were like going through an NCO camp at your first year. Ha.

SOOO moving on , troublelot-> troublemany-> troublesome-> troublefew-> trouble-less.

That was practically the stages you all went through, I don’t think anyone else besides Ng , Fir and I[Fir was damn sad when he had to leave you all last year] would hvae truely understood what you all really went through. The behind the scenes counselling , talking session moving on to help you all more on a friend and mentor level.

Truely , I feel at the end of the day. You all have made a huge impact in my life. Through you all , I personally have learnt to manage conflicts , to carry myself to be an example for you. The times we went through together , will be something I’ll never forget.

3 years of taking you all , seeing you all grow from problem cases , to problem solvers. Sets my mind and heart to ease , that when you all go out there. You go out there with more life knowledge , you go out there with an edge , you go out there with a strong history of triumph[victory] , you go out there , knowing that if you ever need help , there’s someone still back here. There are still people back here to push you when you are tired , to carry you when your injuried , to Suan you everyday , everytime they see you until you get so fed up and want to prove them wrong [=)] . 

A real good bye my cadets, the 6th NCO Batch. Even though we guided you, it was you all who made yourselves from carbon to diamond. Continue on that path.

Your Squad NCO for 2 years and CI for 1 – Joel 

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Ok less formal side , I’m going to miss disturbing you all la lol , ppl like reezal , err , leon , joking around with the slackers from the logistics department and the dearest squad NCOs under me [ Li Hong , Kenneth and Clarice ] . The ever noisy bunch – Jolene , Frances . Hardworking Admin department – xinyi . Shoutout to the rest of the squad as well for maknig the whole 3 years damn fun and wonderful.

To those who are coming back to furthur your journey in the Corp , I look forward to working hand in hand with you all.

And if you read this, let the other people from your squad know about this post. Because I feel real bad not being able to have time to speak to you all properly =( . . .Thanks!

Hey Guys , know not many of you still visit my blog but if you so happen to passby. 

I kinda need your help, your ideas and input.

I’m participating in a competition with regards to the enviroment so my group has this thought about what we are going to do.

With that my job is to come up with Conflicts and Problems faced by youths based on either one of these topics -

Energy Efficiency
Renewable Energy
Waste Minimization
Water
Biodiversity

I was thinking along the lines of waste minimization , like youths can take shorter showers to save water. but really need more input. Thanks!

What’s the difference between one year and another 

One second.

You don’t suddenly grow in one second
You don’t get faster
You don’t eat more all of a suddent
You don’t jump higher
You don’t have faster thinking
You don’t suddenly become matured
You don’t get wiser
You don’t get more hardworking
You don’t shout louder
You don’t read faster
You don’t throw further
You don’t understand better
You don’t require more food
You don’t require more nutrients
You don’t become sane

You will still have your habits
You will still feel emotions
You will still have memories
You will still be hungry
You will still need to breathe
You will still need to carry on with your lives

What differentiates one year from another ?

One second . Why wait months for a new year to change direction.

Why wait Months or Days Or Minutes to quit something bad
Why wait for another year to start on something you’d always wanted to do
Why wait to pick up a new skill
Why wait to start studying
Why wait to become hardworking
Why wait to change
Why wait to excel
Why wait?

There’s only a one second difference.

Why wait?

Why not now. . .

Boots are a need for field ultimate frisbee players.
Baselayers are wants for ultimate frisbee players. 

My eyes have been opened to the large world of baselayers ever since we got our first Underarmour- longsleeve compression gear. 

Now ladies and gentlemen , in case you haven’t been able to think of a present you might want to get an ultimate frisbee player[for example , me .] I’v put together a short list since i’m free and haven’t posted in ages.

Starting Legs Up-

2XU -High Performance Compression Calf Guard with sitrrup

Price: Not very sure =/

Ok these look sweet , gotta love calf guards with sitrrups[give added ankle support]

Skins – Powersox

Price: $50

Skins apprently has one of the most health/recovery and other benefits than all the other baselayer brands.
I like the 2XU’s design alot better , but Skins like I mentioned abv has lots of other benefits. Although i’m fine with either =D.

You can actually get a nice pair of leggings for over $40 , like Rudy’s reebok pair. Skins is just alot more expensive.

Enter the Realm of Leggings- 

2XU - High Performance Compression Tight

Price: Not sure

Looks nice , real nice . Wouldn’t mind trying/owning a pair. 

Puma – Energy Cat Leggings 

Price: $67 [ shipping not included ] 

Alright , they dont’ look outstanding , or eye ctaching . But the fact that it’s from Puma is the reason why it’s up here. 

Skins – Long Tights

Price: $150+

Doubt I would be ever able to afford it in the near future

Canterbury – Long Tights

Price:Not sure

But since there are Canterbury retail outlets in SG , it should be avalible easily.

Wouldn’t mind baselayer shorts as well. But since they are similar to leggings i’ll skip past them here.

The Upper Body. . . 

UnderArmour – Compression Long sleeves T-shirt

Price:$50+ [ shipping with 12other similar items]

The current one most of us are wearing now , it takes some getting use to , the first five minutes or so is very hot. Then it gets cool. Overall it really feels like another layer of skin . Worth the investment like most other baselayers.

2XU – High Performance L/S Compression Top

Price: Not Sure

Canterbury – Baselayer Compression L/S Top

Price: $80 , if i’m not mistaken.

The compression is shaped to the body , unlike the UA one I have. Deme and Josh wears this , looks pretty good.

Skins – long Sleeve Top

Price: $120+

I wanted to feature the newer product they have , Skins CROM long sleeve top. But couldn’t get a nice image of it from the net.

Skins – Sleeveless

Price: $100???

I like Sleeveless stuff gives you a sense of freedom lol.

White is nice , but gets dirty easily and ultimate frisbee players are more prone to mud than pigs. 

Wrapping things up. . . 

Skins – Power Sleeves

Price:$50

It would be nice to just wear this and play on days when you just don’t feel like putting on your underarmour or skins long sleeves. Goes well with the PowerSox. 

Ha that’s about it - 

It doesn’t really matter what brand of baselayer you wear , what model are your boots , what brand your jersey is from. It’s your own personal skill and understanding of the ever changing and dynamic sport of Ultimate Frisbee.

But then again it’s alway nice to wear baselayers