Being a default fan of Tim Robbins since Joel Coen’s “Hudsucker Proxy” aside, this ad for “Noise” is one of the few movie posters I’ve seen that has warranted a second glance in person and later on line. Walking away from Botanica was the first time this ad grabbed my attention and I wasn’t sure exactly why. . . .
At it’s most primal, notes of the Predator movie poster hit me, but I ain’t got time to bleed nostalgia. More so, this poster showcases a great use of designs 3 favorite colors refreshingly mixed with a loud, brilliant blue. The black and white seem to balance with equal amounts, but tying it all together is owed to the 4 “layers” of red throughout the ad.
THE BEST piece of concept & design work on this ad is how the NYC skyline is transformed into an EQ volume display ontop of a seismic/sonic vibration. I can’t help but think the skyline has taken this shape before, but this is the first time I’ve seen it, and think it’s damn genius. Plus, it helps to push the concept of the movie. The NYC skyline is a familiar silhouette that’s become increasingly hard image to reimagine. The EQ/seismic skyline is a perfectly placed puzzle piece that the designer of this ad should be commended for making it work so effortlessly.
Having the skyline/EQ interaction executed so intelligently, the rest of the design falls into place perfectly and is effective even at the quickest glimpse. The blue sky being torn into by a jagged skyline. The skyline of the city being torn into by the street. All these interlocking elements of disruption are digging into Robbins “OBEY” style head, causing visible irritation. From top to bottom, within seconds, the gist of the the movie’s premise is articulated through good design. And there’s your ad. A simply strong color scheme with a bigger concept to boot. Cheers, that’s a good ad right there.
Though. . .the trailer isn’t all that compelling and neither is the name for Robbins’ vigilante character, but that’s not the focus on Ad Hawk. Still, if you live in the city, hate an abrupt disruption, or thought that Cobra Vehicle Security actually meant a holographic snake slinking inside a car to scare off crooks, the concept is familiar enough to accumulate interest. Check it out at Seven Arts’ website.
3 Comments
May 13, 2008 at 2:55 pm
[...] Ad Hawk: Observing NYC’s Print Ads placed an observative post today on "Noise"Here’s a quick excerpt [...]
June 21, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Sparky!!!
June 25, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Sparky, thanks for visiting!
Unsure if there’s a point myself, I think this blog is about the analysis of an advertisement. How its designed, where it lies in a campaign, how it conveys a message and so on.
In this particular post, I think the Noise movie poster draws public attention and first and foremost very well designed, all of which make for a successful advertisement (in my opinion).
double cheers,
J.