I'm looking for a few pieces of constructive criticism from the community here. This ad will be a in a regional magazine next run. Any thoughts would be totally appreciated. Thanks.

I dig it Scott! Very clean and classey. I like the main image but not for the what you have here. I'd like a more dramatic shot. Something passionate. maybe switch it with the dance shot? Have any others you were considering. I love to see em.

~Sam

i threw out the other versions and tried some other images that didn't really work. i'll switch them up and see how it looks. i just wish the bride in the dance shot was turned and not the groom.

Ad implies "High-end" to me. Good stuff my friend.

Signing off until tomorrow early evening since i'm blocked at work.

Very nice. The second shot from the left looks a little too busy for a small image to me. I quite like the main image.

Scott, If you're going for high end, I would just go with one vertical, full page image. That's just my opinion though. I don't think the top 4 add anything here.

The Hoff has spoken... so as it has been written, so let it be done.

Seriously though, I agree with Tony. He's booked through 2010 for a reason, plus his design skills shine through everyhtin we see.

-Tim

Actually what extra images add is viewing time. Try this as a test. Put a large image on display and a collage of images next to it in a public setting.

You will notice that people will look briefly at a large images but look for quite a while at a collage. Even though they have scanned all the pics they keep looking.

Not sure if I agree with Marcus or not.... but what I meant is that if you look through literally any magazine with full page ads, the high end and high profile companies ALWAYS use a strong singular image.... always. It conveys confidence. Just pick the right one

Tony Hoffer wrote:
Not sure if I agree with Marcus or not.... but what I meant is that if you look through literally any magazine with full page ads, the high end and high profile companies ALWAYS use a strong singular image.... always. It conveys confidence. Just pick the right one

+1. I was told the same thing from the publishers of a local wedding magazine. Very good advice. The man knows what he's talking about.

Scott,

I'd like to see the 4th pic on the far top right as the single image in the ad.
It conveys no identity and could be anyone, including the bride to be viewing the ad. "This could be you" in a matter of speaking. It's strong and clean, without distractions.

Mind sampling it for us?

/asim

Scott I love the look of it...but for me I would have gotten rid of all the little images at the top and just have the one main. One WOW image...simple and to the point. Either way though it looks great and like someone said it does reflect "high-end"

hope your well.

Gabe

I agree with others, one large image, no small ones.

Also, the text at the bottom is "chunky" in that it's in all caps. Many studies show that ALL CAPS can be harder to read for some people, but what made it look heavier than it should be is the line underneath "international wedding photographers".

Looks good, hope it works out for you!

I love the feel and layout as a whole.

I dont think the fonts used complement each other, nor the feel of the ad in general.
I guess the "Scott Andrew" part is your company logo. That logo doesnt connote what the images show in my mind. Theyre elements of the layout that have a somewhat contrasting feel.
To me your logo doesnt represent or complement the kinds of photos shown in the ad. If the photographs in this ad indeed does display your usual work, id concider changing the logo.
Reasoning: To me your logo looks kind of payful and youthfull. My guess is that the 'square' to the left of the text in your logo represents a camera. If this indeed is correct the icon is crafted to represent a camera in a hip and youthful way (not diplaying the elegance id expect from someone taking these kinds of pictures). I feel the same way about the font used in your logo. To me its again a bit playfull, not scared of being different, youthful, 'out of the box'. As u write below your name, it is indeed unique and distinct, but i fail to see the 'botique'/high-end/elegance in that font and camera icon in your logo.

And this feeling I get from the logo isnt represented in the work I see in the ad.
If the photos in this ad are fairly representative of your work, I would concider getting a new logo. Of course that can also be bring along a host of problems.

However: all of the above might be a moot point since i am from Denmark. Interpretation of icons and representative material can vary greatly from culture to culture.


Bottom text: I find it hard to decypher the .com text. I believe it would be easier to decyper if it were in lowercase. I realise that would ruin the layout as it is now, but you could try moving that part of text and the '209.470.5066' to the very bottom of the page so its right along the bottom edge. Id also remove the '.' (period) at the end of '209.470.5066'.


Logo Placement: Is it on purpose you have not centered the logo? With the bottom text being centred i think the layout might be improved if the logo is centred too.


Overall as it is now it would definitely catch my eye in a magazine. It is simple, gives u a special feeling, stands out (although perhaps not quite unique - something VERY hard nowadays). Good job.

Wow, you guys are so rad. I wish I wasn't so slammed and had more time to spend with everyone on here. If it wasn't for the Metro Station rockin' out on Pandora, I'd be dead right now. Let me try another image see what you think.
Hoffer...do you think a horizontal crop would be okay?
Spence...should I run the same text as my logo?
Gabe...thanks dude, i'm doing okay, just trying to balance a big pile right now.
Jacob...You definitely have me thinking about my brand. I really like the current logo and I think it is unique and innovative to the high-end market. Artsy, if you will. I guess that's why I went with it.
Thanks everyone.

Really love the way the ad looks as is, however, I'm also a firm believer in the "one picture" theory.

I'd go vertical, full bleed.... that's just me though... your ad homey!!

FTW. Yay or nay?

I like that much better Scott. I would ditch the stroke and maybe use white bars on the top and bottom. Also, your logo placement seems a bit off center.

Sorry for the critiques, but you're bringing out the former art director in me with all this design feedback.

Okay, here's one a little mixed up.

I like it, dude...I actually like both ads...I think either one blows away what's been in that mag recently...good show.

I like the one strong image minus the little ones. Not sure if your revision is *that* image, though. I like the wine cellar one MUCH better.

mauriceramirez wrote:
The window shot is poppy and design-centric, but the wine cellar shot is natural, has more personality, energy, and fun.

Both shots show off that you have beautiful clients with good dresses with interesting venues... All hot buttons for hitting the higher-end market.

-m

M is always much more eloquent than I am.

Here is the final. Daggum, you guys are rad. I wish that my arsenal of radness was half as full as some of the people who helped me out on this thread. Thanks to all.