Beauty Salon

CGR 115

This is an interesting business card, I really like the colors and the fact that the layout is horizontal. I think it was a good idea to have a bunch of little square on the side with the information and the bigger squares on the side with the company name. It makes an even balance. The fact that the company name is in all lower case letters also helps the balance, plus a san serif font is a lot lighter then a serif one. One complaint I do have is the lack of information. There is no address and no persons name or position, these are important things the must be added. I also really like how you could change this design to any color and it would work. Good Job.

Interior Designer Business Card

CGR 115

I feel like this business card has potential but there are some major things that need improving. The first would be the weight issue. I like the idea of the white and green split but the bottom is so much heavier then the top. I think if they put Ferguson on the same line as Kathleen and then make her position a bit bigger that would solve the balance issue. I think that the website and the e-mail address should be switched and maybe they could add a thin white like at the bottom to go with the one at the top. The colors are ok but I think that if they went with a warmer color scheme that would be better seeing as how their dealing with interior design, it gives a more homey feeling. The font is pretty good, I would adjust the tracking in the bottom information a little though. It looks a bit cramped. 

Industry

Typography

This book cover is a solid example of a good book cover. This is a vert symmetrical book cover but it works well. I love the "I" being picked up by the crane. The image is clearly representing the title. I love the type in this design. I think the san serif font was a good idea. I feel that if they would have done a serif font "industry" would have become too heavy. I'm not sure about the background color though. Blue is a good color, it just feels a bit washed out. If they used a more brown color scheme or if they make light and dark variations in the background I think that would help it from looking so band. They also should not have but the text on the back in white, that needs to be either black or the reddish brown they used for the tower image on the front.

Square Foot Media

CGR 115

This is a great example of a business card. First off the colors are great! Everyone is a fan of blue and the white really pops on the blue background. I also love how the company name is the company image, it makes things flow a bit easier automatically. The foot being cut off on the side is really great composition wise and I like that the company name is in the logo on the front and out of it on the back, good choice. It makes the front on look less crowded. I really like the font choice, the tracking and leading are very nice. I don't mind the first line of text almost sitting on the word media because its so much smaller and doesn't feel like its crushing it. I also like that the like on the back card going across the bottom isn't all the way at the bottom, the save below it matches the space at the top. Good job!!

Open Access

Typography

I feel that this is a pretty successful book cover but there are a few things I would change. The first would be direction of the lock. I feel it just looks awkward with the opening of the lock facing the left  of the book, to me it takes your eye away from the page. Also instead of a circle for the lock maybe they could have tried a square. The circle resembles the target logo a little bit. In my opinion the title and the author should be a bit bigger, it almost gets lost at the top. My eye goes to the lock first and the title second, that needs to be reversed. I do however like the color choice but I feel like they need another orange line at the top or something to balance out the heavy orange line at the bottom. I like the font choice and the fact that they chose white for the title, those two things mixed together makes me think of open access. You don't want a heavy font or a heavy color to represent open access because it would make you think grounded, prohibited, not allowed and shut out. Good choice on that.

POW

CGR 115

I have a few complaints about this business card but overall I like the idea and the design. As I said I like the design but I think it can be easily overpowering. I don't have as much of a problem with the first card as I do the second one. For me the design is so strong in the second card, that it detracts from the information. I also don't like that the contact information is so small and shoved into the corner. i think if they faded the design into the background, moved the contact information to where the tell you what the company does and then moved that information to across the bottom or somewhere off to the side, it would be much better. As for the top card I like to type but lose the tail on the W, it feels weird and makes me second guess what I'm reading. I like the color scheme, browns and golds, they compliment each other well but be careful because its starting to remind me of the UPS  company.

Light Bulb

Typography

I like the overall idea and design for this book cover but there are a few things I would change. First I'll start with the things I like, I like the idea of the light build and relating that to the feeling of interrogation. I think you would pick up on it more quickly if there was a image of a chair in the background, even if it was a faint image, it would make the viewer get it faster. I like the color scheme, I think that having the white on the title and the black on the author was a good choice. It balances out because of the back on the light bulb. I do think the font for the title could have been a bit beefier. I kind of looks like its floating there. when you think of interrogation you think of a serious and intense process, I think the font should represent that more. 

Fusion Business Card

CGR 115

This is a really good example of a business card! I love the color choice, it fits the feeling of a hair salon very well. The small design in the corner is great, it flows well just like hair. I also like that symbol is carried throughout the background. In this case things being dead center don't bother me because of the symbol and the fact that the type goes from large to small to show the level of importance. Something that I like about this card that hasn't been done on the others is using that back as a place to put your appointment time. It makes it so its harder to despise of because you need the card to remember your appointment. Font choice is good, clean and easy to read. I like the variety of italic, and san serif font. I think they could have lost the serif at the bottom, its not necessary and doesn't flow as nicely. Other then that great job!!!

Peanuts

Typography

I absolutely love this book cover. This may have something to do with me loving all the peanuts cartoons but that aside its really cleaver. They took a recognizable symbol from the main character, Charlie Brown and made it the cover. Everyone knows this symbol as the one Charlie Brown wears on his shirt. I really like that they kept the yellow and black color scheme. I don't think it gives you the bumble bee idea simply because there is such a huge Charlie Brown feel to it. Love the font choose as well, all they did was use the same font as they do for the movies and all things peanut related, but its fine because any other font would have just thrown off the feeling. Great Job!!

Business Card 3

CGR 115

This business card has potential but I see some improvements that must be made. First off, I like blue and its a good color to use but that first card has so much light blue I feel as though the card is being washed out. If your going to use that much light blue then do not use white for your information. Also I don't like the type in this card at all. I feel like the placement of everything on the first card is wrong. His name is getting lost in the graphic design and the graphic design is smashing the smaller information beneath it. Plus nothing line up. I would take the name off the front all together, make up a small symbol to represent the company and the maybe incorporate that design into the background. As for the second card, either get a new font or adjust the tracking but everything is way to close together. I would get rid of the numbers and instead do small bullet points or incorporate the symbol you created for the top card into bullet points. I like the colors and the line at the bottom but I just feel like the top card is to light and washed out and the bottom card to too bold and heavy.

Power

Typography

This is another good example of a book cover. Now looking at the title it sounds boring, but the point is   I'm forced to look at it because the cover draws me in. Silhouettes are very powerful and that mixed with a rich orange and yellow background makes it hard for anyone to over look it. I like that the telephone pole is cropped, it defiantly adds to he composition. It also makes it so I don't mind the title in the middle. Since the wires off the telephone pole run across to the edge of the book it keeps the movement going so your eye doesn't get stuck. I also like how the background color goes from orange to yellow, it helps the balance of the piece. I think the font is good, I like the serifs it makes it feel grounded and powerful and I think it also helps the balance. I think it was a good choice to put mostly white text on the back and the spine, too much orange can be over powering.

Business Card "Floera"

CGR 115

This business card is very successful and I really like this design. This is what a business card should be, simple, to the point,  yet still eye catchy and rememberable. I really like how in the top card the logo is off center and that the faded swirl in the back is moving in the direction of the logo. This not only brings movement to the card but puts your focus on the logo. My eyes sees the swirl first and then ends at the logo. Great composition!!! For the second card I like how everything is to the left, kind of opposite of the top card. I also like how the swirl design is carried into the bottom card design as well. I also think the choice of colors is good. Very simple but eye catching. I'm glad they have tones of greysin them though because just back and yellow would remind me of a bumble bee. Lastly, I like the space between his name and title and his contact information, it has a nice balance to it.

HOPE

Typography 

I really like this book cover for " The Audacity of Hope" by Barak Obama. Overall I think its designed very well. The colors alone are just amazing. They go together so well. I absolutely love the bits of gold throughout the cover. Gold is a very warm color and I think it represents hope very well. I also like hoe the "O" brings your attention to the most important information. The huge letters that make up the word hope could have easily taken over the whole cover, but they didn't because of that red "O". I also love the font. I like the mix between the serif and san serif font. I think the serf font gives the book a feel of greater importance and I think the san serif "hope" makes it so the word is not over powering. My only complaint is that the "P" in hope should bleed off the page to match the "H" and "E".

Business Card

CGR 115

These are business cards for a graphic design company and while I love the idea and how its really interesting I feel like its too complex. Unless your company is a million dollar company, your going to go broke by just printing out business cards. Not only is the printing going to be expensive but it also has a vertical composition. Now there's nothing that says you can't make a business card vertical but must people think horizontal when they think business cards and most people put them in their wallets, horizontally. You want your business card to be read as easily as possible and having it vertical makes it that much harder to read easily. I also think his contact information is a little hard to read which is a bad thing about a clear card. I can only read it now because its in front of something black but if the background were white, it would almost be impossible to read.

High Rise

Typography

This is a book cover design for a book called High Rise. I personally don't like this book cover and I have many reasons why. First off the color scheme does not compliment the title. When I look at these colors i think, girly novel. High rises are the furthest thing from my mind when I see these colors. I think they should have stuck with a black and white cover or took it to a night scene and added some yellows or golds to represent light you might see in the high rises. Next, the way they are trying to put the type into an image is just not working. It took me awhile to even figure out what that said which is bad considering the title that they have under the authors name is so small its barley even noticeable. I would have switched the placement of the author and the book title and I also would have made the title much bigger. I actually don't mind the text in this, I like that they choose a bold font, I think it represents the boldness of a high rise.

10,000 Lakes Festival

Typography

I'm not really sure where to start off with this flyer other then it needs many adjustments. First off, why is all the type congested at the top? It makes it seem very cramped, hard to read and top heavy. If they spaced all that information out throughout the fly there would be a much better flow and the balance would be so much better. Now as far as colors are concerned, they are not bad but they need a bit of work as far as placement goes. possibly darker colors at the bottom, lighter colors at the top. The image of the guitar in the clouds is clever but I feel like thats the main problem. They didn't want to have the text cover up the image and thats why its cramped at the top. Honestly it took me awhile to see the guitar so I don't think its worth screwing up the text placement over. Also the background image is a bit cartoon like and playful, I don't think the font matches it well. Change the font or change the image.

Best Western

CGR 115

I am not crazy about the logo for the Best Western. The main reason has to do with the horrible choice of primary colors. In some cases the strength of primary colors draws people in, but in this case it just makes me cringe. I can respect the idea behind it, the primary colors are the most bold and some would say the "best" as far as colors go and that would fit the name, but they way they have them arranged is not good. If they just switched the placement of the blue and yellow, I think that would take away from the old kind of feeling I'm getting from this. I thinks it's fine that they used a serif font, it makes you think of a good sturdy, dependable place. Im not crazy about the two words touching, I think it makes it feel crowded, especially with the serifs. I am glad they didn't do all the letters uppercase because that would have been total over kill.

Twilight

Typography

The Twilight series has become a world wide phenomenon and it all started with this book. I personally love the cover and the font they chose for it. I think the originality of this font is great, I love the swirl in the g and I love the emphasis on the L, it really brings you in. I think it was a good choice putting the title in the top middle of the page. I normally don't like things in the middle but it works here because of the placement of the image. The colors work so well, I like that they have "Twilight" in white, that was a good choice considering in the book its mentioned how pal the vampires are, so I feel like it represents them and also white looks good on the harsh black background. I like the font chosen for the authors name as well. I really like the space between the letters and that it doesn't detract from the title. Good job!!!

Paramore

Typography

I love this band, they are one of my favorites but I'm not sure I like everything on the back of their CD cover. I don't like how the fine print comes down almost touching the heads of the band members, it just feels crowded. I also don't like the color choice on the side strips with the band and album name on it, I feel like it clashes with the blue in the sky.  I do like the fact that the font they chose for the songs and for the album title is all in lower case font. It matches the lower case font for the band name, that was a good call. I also like that they put the songs in a script font, it goes with the theme of the cover and the vibe they are going for. 

American Eagle

CGR 115

American Eagle is a very popular clothing brand among teens and young adults and their iconic eagle symbol is recognized nation wide. I happen to really like this design. I love that the is just white silhouette, it captures peoples attention and its not overly detailed. I also like the font they chose to go with it. I think the serif font was a good choice, it makes it bold to match the boldness of the eagle. The white and blue was a great choice as far as the color scheme goes. Blue is a very likable color, it's cool, soothing and trustworthy and the white on top of that just makes it pop. I also like the position in which they have the eagle. Its a powerful position and i think it adds to the power of the company. Great job!!!

Coca-Cola

CGR 115

Coca-Cola is a product that everyone knows and it have been around for years. When you ask people what they think of when they hear the word red they think, Coca-Cola. Their logo is basically just the word, sometimes with the product next to it and sometimes not. You would think the bold red color choice would make this logo feel heavy, but it doesn't. The script font they used helps balance out the harsh red. I like that they chose red because its a color that catches the eye and is not easily forgotten. The script font give it a really nice flow and when your thinking about a drink you want it to feel as though things are flowing. This is a great logo, good job!!

Zoo and Aquarium

CGR 115

So this logo is not one that I'm a fan of. First off there is nothing in this logo that has to do with an aquarium and to me a tree does does not really symbolize a zoo. If I was them I might think about doing an animal from the ocean and then one from land or if they wanted to keep the tree at least incorporate something that has to do with water or the ocean. As far as the typography is concerned I don't mind it, I kind of like the serif font and all the text in caps. I do like the line separating the two places it gives it a sense of separation which is needed and I think it makes it easier to read. I am usually a fan of black and white but not in this one. It comes across kind of plain and stiff and zoos and aquariums are more of a fun playful place. I at least think they should have put in a green. 

Target

CGR 115

CGR 115

The Target logo is one I love. The idea is so simple and yet it conveys so much. I love when the image represents the word. I also love that red is the color they chose to represent the target. It makes it bold and red is a strong color, it stands out. No one is going to miss red. I actually like the placing of the word under the image. Even though the image is bigger the white circle in the middle breaks up the red balancing the weight between the text and the image. Great Job!!!

Cover Girl

CGR  115

Cover Girl is a make up brand known all over the country and I really like they typography use. I love how there is no space between cover and girl but you still know they are two words, they are always just said and presented as one. I also like how the font is more on the thin side but there are still some thicker line variations. It makes it feel more sheik. I think that all the letters being uppercase helps it stay strong even with the thinness of the letters. As far as the color scheme goes, I feel like it works with this ad but could easily be changed to fit and ad with a different color scheme which is good. I also love the placement being at the top because its balanced out by the purple at the bottom. Nice job!

Animal Planet

CGR 115

I have always been a fan of animal planet and as it turns out I'm also a fan of their logo. I really like that there images depict exactly what there logo says. I also like that they chose the elephant as the animal image, elephants are strong and powerful and the biggest land mammal not to mention everyone loves elephants. I like the typography as well. It's a little playful but still strong and its very bold which makes it balance well with the top. Love the color scheme as well and that shade of green is just right, its a very earthy green. Good Job!

Standard Pacific Homes

Typography

This is a billboard design I found for Standard Pacific Homes. I actually really like the photography used in this advertisement. I like that they used two different types of fonts and two different colors. The "Standard Pacific Homes" is in a nice serif font and I think it gives a sturdy feeling to what their advertising. I like that the slogan is in italics, it gives the sense of a softer more homey feeling. These things mixed with the photograph makes Standard Pacific Homes very inviting. Color scheme is also very good, its simple yet it compliments the colors in the photo. Good job!

Versace

Typography

I really like this ad for Versace, aside from the fact that I love models used to promote a product I also like the typography used. I feel like when most people see fragrance they think girly which may lead to a script like font. I like that they did not use a script font in this case. The clean san serif font works so well. The spacing and it being in all caps makes it feel strong and powerful, just like the ocean in the background. I also like that they made Versace white, it really pops and matches the sun reflecting off the ocean. Good job!!

Starbucks

CGR 115

I may be the only person to think this but I have to comment on this logo. I personally do not like it. I am aware that Starbucks is the most popular coffee shop in the U.S but I just don't like the logo. I looked up the meaning behind it and understand what it means now but thats just my point. Unless you look it up you have know idea why a logo for a coffee shop has a women in the middle. When I think of Starbucks I think of a sheik, popular coffee place but when I see this logo I see a not so good rendition of a women mixed with a poker chip you would get at a casino. Nothing in this logo makes me think of coffee accept for the word coffee. I know it doesn't look like the logo is taking away from the companies profits, I mean I still go there just because it Starbucks its just I personally just don't like the logo design. Good coffee though.

Back up Plan

Typography 

Love this movie, not so crazy about the typography. To me it looks very odd. Having the title going vertical is one thing, but not making the letters vertical to match is another. The title just feels very suffocated there in the middle. I like the color scheme, the pink makes it fun just like the movie and also makes the word they want people to focus most on pop. Im not crazy about the "the" sitting on top of the "backup", it makes the word backup a bit more confusing to read and it so small you can't really see it. It wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't vertical but being as it is, i don't like it. I do like that they put serifs on the font, it makes the title look a little more grounded which it needs just hanging there in the middle.

John Deere

CGR 115

The John Deere logo is a very popular logo known by anyone who does anything outdoors. I really like the simple image and the simple color scheme. The green gives it that outdoor feeling and the yellow compliments the green very nicely. I also think that the image is on top of the type. This works well because the font is very strong. I like that the letters are all upper case and that there are without serifs. The spacing works well too, good job John Deere!

Titanic

Typography

Movie posters are something we see all around us. Whether its on a commercial or in a magazine, they are everywhere. The typography used in these posters can either increase sales or decrease them. Everyone knows Titanic, it's an epic movie/ love story that has brought millions of dollars to the box offices. I happen to love the typography used for Titanic. I like that the font has serifs on it, it gives it a strong and powerful feeling. I also think the two gold line which its contained it and the gold behind each of the letters makes it pop. It also contains the letters much like a boat contains people so I feel thats significant. Great Job!! Great Movie!!

Chipotle

CGR115

I really like the chipotle logo. They have two renditions, I personally like the one on the right the best. It just looks more clean to me. The reds and browns are nice and warm and also tend to be associated with food. As far as the actual typography goes, I really like it. I like the spacing between the letters and I also like the font and that there are no serifs. I also like that the mexican grill lettering is below chipotle but I don't like the feeling of all the weight it carries sitting on top of the mexican grill. If they space the words mexican grill out more or make it slightly bigger there might be more balance.

UPS

CGR 115

The ups logo is the first think we think of when we think of delivery companies, or companies with the color brown in their logo. I really like the image of the shield, it makes the company seem durable, dependable and strong as does the brown. I also like that the letters are all lower case, it balances out the strength of the image. I also like that the spacing is nice and compact and gives the piece more strength. The golden yellow compliments the brown very nicely as well.

Aquarium

CGR 115

I think the national aquarium logo is a solid logo. It makes sense that the color is solely blue being that there is water involved. The image with the logo is also very good. I like that the white pattern in the sphere could be fish or water, kinda leaves it up to the viewer. I almost wish that the sphere was not in the center, although it kind of gives the notion that water, fish the whole ocean ecosystem is the center of the world. The typography is good in this logo. I like that its in all caps; it gives the impression that its big, bold and important. I like the slits between the letters too, it makes things a little more intriguing.

Coach

CGR 115

The coach logo by Peter Graeff, every women into fashion knows this logo. I being one of these women love the logo as well. First off I love that its black and white, it makes me think crisp, clear and neat. I also like that the word coach is always in the rectangle like shape, it keeps your attention on the company. When you here the word coach you think rich or expensive and I like that they put the image of the horse and carriage as their image. It makes you feel as though you are the one in the horse and carriage. Great job Coach!!!

Inspiring Artists

Typography

     

I found this image on a web design blog called Graphic, Inspiration. The designer of the blog Amit Goyal had all these retro typography images that I thought looked really neat. This image in particular cought my attention. I like the lines mixed with the curves and the simple color scheme. I also think the composition being diagonal adds interest to this piece. I also like the different symmetry and asymmetry going on. Great Job!!!

LIVE JAZZ

Typography

I personally love very rendition of this flyer. The colors mixed with the harsh shadows are what really draw me in. The font choice is also really eye catching. I have to say, out of all of them I like the right one the best. I like how there is a bit of space at the top before you get into all the information. I d think the smaller information looks a little cramped and they could have thought the spacing out a bit better. Other then that, good job

Type Portrait

Typography

Oh my god! This is absolutely unbelievable. I am a huge fan of portraits done in any medium but I have  never seen anything thing quite like this. Using solely type to create a portrait is un real. I love that there is really no color to this, it just puts focus on the beauty of the type. I also like how the figure is positioned and also how the look is so intense. GREAT JOB!!!

Soundliner

CGR 115

This is a pretty good logo in my opinion, it adverting a marine tourism and transportation company. One thing that really makes this logo work is the use of simple lines to create an image. I also like that the colors connect to the kind of tourism company it is. When we think of the word marine, we think of the ocean which consist of blues and greens so great job there. I also like the the font for the most part, I may have done something without serifs but it still works. I like that they went with a print font instead of a cursive one, it suggests power as does the ship. You get a sense that its moving fast based on the way the light blue line is moving at the bottom. Great job!!

Dave Matthews Band

Typography

This is a flyer that I think is a bad example. First of all the color scheme is horrible in my opinion. The greenish teal color mixed with the bright blue is not aesthetically pleasing at all. Second the intricate green symbol behind the "DMB" is really distracting and unnecessary. Also I don't like the lettering of "DMB", its too much and doesn't compliment the other font well. The only thing I do like about this piece is the font below the guitar, I would rework everything else.

at&t

CGR 115

The at&t logo by Saul Bass is a pretty good logo in my opinion. I like that they have the sphere as their image, it suggests that at&t is global. I like the simple design of the rings going around the sphere and also that these rings are blue. The color blue gives the feeling of things flowing whereas using a color like red suggests stopping and the absence of flow which is this case would not have portrayed the right idea. I'm not really crazy about the font, it looks a bit boring, I do however like the fact that they picked a font that at least had some curve to it to match the curves of the sphere.

Cool Flyer

Typography

This flyer is one that really captured my attention! I absolutely love all the lines in this piece. I think the horizontal lines mixed with the diagonal ones was a good choice, it adds movement. I also love the choice of colors; the yellow and purple go extremely well together being that they are complimentary colors and the small use of the light blue is also a nice touch. The only thing that I might not have added would be the cursive behind the "Charity Concert"; I feel like its distracting. The words and the guitar both in the same diagonal direction also makes this piece flow. Great example!!!!

Monster

CGR 115

The monster logo, also another effective logo known nation wide. The neon colors on the black background really make it pop. Also the mysterious/ spooky looking lettering makes it appealing to a younger audience which as we know are the main group of people who feel the need to stay up all night or need to for school or a job. Taking the M from monster and using it as the symbol also works well. Good job Monster!

Apple

CGR 115

The apple logo by Rob Janoff is one of the most famous logos out there. This is a simple design but is made intriguing by the bite that is missing from the side. I see the bite as meaning one if two things. Either its suggesting that apple is such a good brand that everyone wants a bite out if it or the bite could be referring to computer lingo. Either way it's a great logo, the colors are so simple and can easily be changed around. Most Apple devices I've seen have the apple in white displayed behind whatever background color they choose. Simple, powerful and obviously effective!! Great job Apple!!!

Buckeye Backroads Summer Van

Typography

This is a flyer I came across advertising Buckeye Backroads Summer Van. For me this flyer is just not doing it for me. It seems like everything is very close together and hard to read, but the biggest issue I have is all the different fonts. In this case the typography is actually taking away from the flyer. The color scheme is ok but personally it reminds me of the colors for Towson University. This is defiantly one of my least favorite flyers.

Paramore

Typography

Seeing as how Paramore is one of my favorite bands, I decided to check out some flyers advertising them. As I was searching I came across this flyer. Even though it's partially in spanish I still feel like I can give a solid critique. This flyer has a bit more graphics then the one we are designing but its not bad. The color scheme really works, I personally love red and black together. One suggestion with that though, instead of straight black they could have used a dark grey. For the lettering I like how some of the letters don't have cutouts, although, its not consistent throughout the flyer. Also the color alternation works well and helps divide up the information. Over all good but not great.

NBC

The NBC logo is a great logo known nation wide. It has changed many times over the years, this being its most recent rendition. The impression of the peacock was a great idea. Its like its there but its not, I absolutly love logos with a hidden symbol. The different colors also add a lot to the piece, even though there are a few different colors it works because they are all contained in simple shapes.

CTP

Typography 

This is a good example of a concert flyer, all the information is very clearly stated and easy to read. The color scheme is also a good choice, its very simple and makes the information pop with the black background. The reflection of the letters adds visual excitement to this piece as well.  Finally I like how the "cpt" are all lower case.