Week 3 in Digital Media: Crap

CRAP seems like an easy way to help categorize the way images are presented to us. Here are some examples I've found on my dad-to-day travels around the city, they we're all found while I was commuting on the TTC.

C - Contrast:

This is the Ad for the provincial elections here in Ontario. I believe this Ad uses contrast by using two most contrasting shades, of black and white. Also, by adding the yellow "x" with the black text, it too contrasts in terms of colour. By using the these opposites together it helps draw attention to the ad and more importantly the message. Getting people to vote in any election is an important issue due to the lack of actual voters turning out to vote. Also, by adding the yellow "x" with the black text, it too contrasts in terms of colour.

R - Repetition:

This is an Ad for the breath mints, "Mentos". This ad uses repetition by using a picture of the actual tube of mints, many times. I suppose they use this technique to make sure you know what kind of breath mints you should use to freshen your breath. Also, maybe since they are giving away ten thousands dollars/a years supply of Mentos, they should compliment that by trying to make the mass amounts into a visual. I think this also uses contrast by using the white of the mint itself to contrast with the blue font on the packaging.

A - Alignment:

This poster, and more just like it, are usually found in subway stations on the train platforms. This poster, for the T.V. station Global, uses alignment to help advertise their fall line up, this one is specifically for the show Prime Suspect ( There are also ones for the shows House, Family Guy, and others as well). The way they align the picture of the character from the show with the yellow "I" in the middle of the big "BIG".  I guess this another way of making the character the focal point of the Ad. I think this is a good way to advertise their shows because they use the "Greyscale-ish" picture of the character in conjunction with colourful lettering.

P - Proximity:

This final ad, found on the TTC is actually for the TTC. This bus ad is for the consumer-corporation interaction between TTC users and the company itself. This ad uses proximity to advertise the various ways consumers can stay connected with the TTC. They've grouped together all the various ways people can connect, this includes e-mail, mobile capabilities, and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. By using proximity, people who want to stay connect get all their questions answered in one ad. 

These elements in design are a good way to keep track of how design can be manipulated. This is not only useful when being in the audience of a piece of design, but it is also useful when trying to create our own design works. Knowing techniques and the results they can achieve are important.