SA Graphics Promotional Campaign

Exciting news from the SA Graphics Office:  

This week begins the launch of the recently completed promotional campaign!

The idea to create a promotional campaign began last semester as it became increasingly apparent that many students and student groups did not know about the office and the services provided.  The campaign is designed to reach out to students and student groups who have never heard of or worked with the office before.  The goal is to market the SA Graphics Office as both worth it and affordable.  

Starting this week student organization presidents will receive 5.5X8 inch postcards in their campus mailboxes, the postcards advertise past Graphics work and educate students about the new packages and referral programs.  The postcards will be supplemented with new window displays in the Graphics Office, designed with a similar look and feel, that provide additional images along with the new information.  These windows, located in high traffic areas, will not only reinforce the information on the postcards but reach out to a larger student audience.  The packages program allows students to order commonly requested design materials, ranging from logo design to large design packages, and understand the costs upfront.

An additional round of postcards will be sent out in the fall to new student organization presidents as an additional reminder.  The SA Graphics Office is available and designed for student use, it is our hope that this campaign will increase awareness and usage from the general student population.

Tropicana Redesign Fails Quickly

Representatives from Pepsi Co. recently announced the return of the "orange"!  The Tropicana redesign unveiled in early January quickly became the victim of public criticism.  The drastic change from the traditional orange and straw to a "fresher" more streamlined package design did not produce the intended results.  Consumers dealt with confusion, thinking the new carton was a generic store brand.  As a result the company has chosen to return to its roots.

The Tropicana redesign was part of a company overhaul, with the Pepsi Soda can and Gatorade bottles receiving new looks as well.  Consumer resistance has not been as prevalent among the other two brands, and there is no public talk to reverting back to previous designs.

The Tropicana fiasco is yet another story exemplifying the difficulty within graphic design.  In today's interconnected marketplace, with so many people to please, how does a designer create a product that pleases both the client and consumers, while retaining design integrity?

Looking for your Orange Juice? How do you feel about changing grocery store brands?

The next time you are rushing through the grocery store it may take an extra minute to locate your favorite carton of OJ. The ever popular Tropicana Orange Juice carton has taken on a new look in recently, much to the confusion of regular customers. The new packaging takes on a modern, streamlined, and simplified look. Replacing the standard orange with a straw with a less distinguishable glass of OJ.

Customers are not afraid to let the company know what they think of the new design (http://flcitrusmutual.com/news/nytimes_tropicana_012709.aspx). Although the reviews are mixed it seems that most are not in favor. Many consumers described the carton as generic and dull, often confusing it for a bargain brand juice. Praise does however go to the new cap design which brings a new level of creativity to your average OJ carton. Creating the orange as the cap brings some of the old brand identity to the carton.

The most confusing aspect of the Tropicana redesign can be found when looking across the Tropicana Product Families, http://tropicana.com/products/overview/index.html . The new design can only be found on orange cartons, not the entire line. The rest of the Tropicana family remains in the old design, creating even more confusion for the consumer and the overall brand identity. As consumers we are accustomed to certain brand designs and logos and are often thrown off by change. Although I commend Tropicana for trying something radical, I am disappointed with the execution.

How do you feel about changing brand images and logos within your local grocery store?

Can & Did: Graphics, Art, and Photography from the Obama Campaign

Those who have been following the recent presidential campaign and election will definitely want to take a look at this website! The Danzinger Projects Art Gallery can be credited with much of the art, photography, and graphics associated with Barack Obama's, now famous, presidential campaign. The website currently chronicles a selection of this work. One of the most interesting aspects of the images gallery is a rough sketch sheet that allows a viewer to see the thought process and general progression of the widely used Obama logo. Make sure to check it out!

http://www.danzigerprojects.com/exhibitions/2009_1_can-and-did/

Inspiring Sites

Amazing Design:
http://www.graphic-exchange.com

Amazing Logos:
http://dzineblog.com/2008/08/54-creative-logos-designs.html

Oh yeah, and this guy is brilliant:
http://www.arsthanea.com

Thanks Amy for the inspiration!

A Great Honor

The APEX Awards for Publication Excellence is an annual competition for writers, editors, publications staff and business and nonprofit communicators. The APEX 2008 awards were based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the success of the entry, in the opinion of the judges, in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence. A total of 4,479 entries were evaluated.













The Geneseo Spring 2008 Performing Arts Calendar earned an APEX Excellence Award for One-of-a-Kind Publication.

To learn more about APEX, visit http://www.apexawards.com

Inspiration for Creativity

This is an article I just stumbled upon when going through the "stuff" folder on the SA Graphics computer. A great little tid bit.