Pier Marketing Inc. » graphic design

The Schonfeld Group Website Project

Rob Milburn — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 05:07:51 +0000

Pier Marketing recently launched a new website for our friends at The Schonfeld Group.

Effective Design in Advertising

Jessica Mefferd — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:22:06 +0000

Visual cues not only grab a reader’s attention, but also evoke deep thoughts and emotions. It allows them to interpret the image in a literal or metaphorical way. It can signal something in their brain or remind them of something important. Visual cues are used everywhere in advertising in the form of graphic design or photos. It is important that you use your visual elements effectively in order to get the most out of your advertisement.

Before a person can read what an advertisement says, they are immediately caught by the visual elements of it. They see the graphics, the photos and the overall layout. Just like ad copy, the goal of ad design is to get the audience to take some sort of action. Not only the visuals you use, but also how you place them on the ad can help you achieve that goal.

The following are layouts to follow to effectively design your ad:

1. Ogilvy Layout (Five Step Process by David Ogilvy)

Visual – Place your photos and/or graphics at the top of the page
Caption – If you are using a photo, place a short caption underneath.
Headline – The headline of your ad goes next.
Copy – Follow your headline with effective ad copy
Signature – Place your company’s name and contact information at the bottom right of your ad. This is the last place the reader’s eye will go.

*Some of these steps are interchangeable.

2. Z Layout

Place all the contents of you ad in the form of a “Z”. Put the most important elements on the top of the “Z”. The eye will naturally follow the pattern. Place your “call to action” or your signature at the very end of the “Z”.

3. Single Visual Layout

The principle of this layout is “less is more”. This is a simplistic, yet powerful ad. There is only one visual element followed by a simple headline and short ad copy.

4. Illustrated Layout

There is not much room for audience interpretation with this layout. This ad shows the actual product or service offered. It demonstrates what it does, how it works and what it accomplishes.

5. Top Heavy Layout

This layout puts strong emphasis on the visual element of the ad. The photo or graphic design is placed in the top half or the left side of the ad. It is then followed with the headline and copy.

6. Upside Down Layout

This layout is as simply as it sounds: turn your ad upside down. After you finish designing your ad, you may find it is even more powerful in its opposite layout.

Sushi on Fire

Rob Milburn — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:25:06 +0000

Sushi on Fire is a happening spot in Huntington Beach. The restaurant is located right on Main street and is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. The fun atmosphere and upbeat tempo make it the place to go for sushi in Huntington Beach.

Sushi on Fire needed menus that fit into their theme as well as fit their extensive menu. Pier Marketing worked with Sushi on Fire in all aspects of designing the menu. Pier Marketing scheduled a photo shoot to take pictures of the food and location that are used for Sushi on Fire advertising as well as to showcase the menu items.

Prince Weddings

Rob Milburn — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:36:19 +0000

Prince Weddings is a premier Wedding Photography and Videography company in Southern California. Prince Weddings style is elegant and personal, so they came to Pier Marketing to capture what they do for their clients and have that style translated in their website.

Pier Marketing used many various elements to create www.priceweddings.net. The navigation of the website starts with an easy-to-use, inviting feel and a custom Flash opening. The interior of the site has custom video galleries, Google Picasa image gallery integration, jQuery Javascript and a WordPress Blog to give this site its excellent and easy-to-use functionality.

The Importance of Graphic Design

Rob Milburn — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:48:07 +0000

Graphic Design is all around us in our society. It is what drives advertising, attracts us to brands and makes public settings enjoyable or “hard on the eyes”. With this being said, it is no wonder why Graphic Design is so important to our everyday lives. As times and styles change, the socially acceptable elements of Graphic Design change.

Lets look at some examples of changing design.

In the 1970′s there was a lot of design being done with flowers and Earth Tones. This was due to the state of our society being in the “Hippy” era. Designs were Psychedelic and crazy with floral patterns and fun shapes.

In the 1980′s we found the masses being attracted to bright neon colors and a sort of robotic feel. This was most likely due to the advent of computers and the emergence of technology.

The 1990′s brought us a sort of transition phase to where we are now. I personally cannot think of any defined style or relevance of the 1990′s but it was probably in anticipation of the new millennium.

In this dawn of the new century we have a new style that is prevalent all around us. This is sort of a minimalistic, yet bold approach to design. Quite a few ads and designs are not much more than well placed images with a couple splashes of text and a logo. This style has been driving Websites, print ad campaigns and outdoor media for quite a few years now.

No matter what style of design an individual likes, if they are a designer, they still have to follow some basic elements of the trends around them. Adopting parts of various styles will make a design unique, but making sure it appeals to the masses is what will make the design successful.

Pier Marketing is a marketing firm that has worked closely with various companies to develop graphics for everything from Advertisements and Point of Sale Materials to Trade Show Booths and Websites. To learn more Pier Marketing’s Graphic Design and Advertising services, Please contact us today for a no obligation consultation.