(Their two-year mission: to explore strange new methods of communication)
Every year, students in the Creative Communications program (which I have almost completed) showcase their design skills, journalistic chops, advertising savvy, and showmanship, in a one-day magazine trade show.
This year the Class of 2011 put on an outstanding show. I was extremely impressed by the level of enthusiasm, the quality of presentation, and the big ideas which made the event so much fun.
Set a course for Awesome: Engage!
As an Advertising Major, I tended to flip past a lot of the articles and go straight to the ads (just being honest), and there were dozens of examples of well-written copy and clever concepts.
Here are a few of the magazine ads that really stood out from the crowd, in no particular order:
PRAIRIE ORGANIC VODKA
Tiffany Lachuta
I really liked the simplicity of this one. It looks like a real ad, and seems like it would appeal to the kind of audience who would want an organic vodka.
VITA HEALTH
Desiree Mendoza
I have a couple of issues with the copy, but I love the hand-made illustration for this one.
It really sells the sunny/folksy vibe I always get from Vita Health. So I think this represents the client well, and understands what appeals to the target audience.
CITY OF WINNIPEG
Glenda Ollero (design) Kiran Dhillan (copy)
Slogan on this one could use some work, "The city with something for everyone," could apply to almost any city. But a really great, eye-catching design is what sells this; images are imperative when marketing a destination. I could easily see this ad in a travel magazine.
I also like the subliminal emphasis on WIN.
WENDY MAHR JEWELRY
Berea Henderson
This ad made me want to purchase and consume a chocolate pendant, which is outside of my normal range of behaviour. Ergo, success!
THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Jeremie Wookey
Love it. Great design, great idea. Reminds me of an ad campaign that ran a few years ago, which featured cropped images which suggested one story, and then a reveal of the full image which completely changed the story. I wish I could remember who the ad was for...
Anyways, very inspired work. Well done.
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP
Tiffany Lachuta
Another visually arresting ad by Tiffany Lachuta.
"You're responsible for the environment. It's where all your greatest adventures happen." "Mountain Equipment Co-Op wants to help you reduce your carbon footprint, while walking your own path."
Great message, great copy, great photo, great design.
THE FORKS
Neal Snikeris
Similar to Glenda and Kiran's Winnipeg ad, this has solid layout, and great images.
So there you have it. There were lots of good ads, and these are just a sample.
No winner, no prizes; just the satisfaction of a job well done, and the prestige of appearing on my blog... Let me know which ads you like the best!
Congratulations to everyone on another fantastic magazine trade show.
And let me just say: May the Force be with you.
-Jay
